Official Texans @ Patriots Game Thread, 12/10/2012
 

Leggo!

Good read:
http://espn.go.com/boston/nfl/story/...p-plenty-offer

The keys to me are two things:

1) Can Houston establish a running game and give their defense time to get a breather? Foster and Forsett must continue to move the chains for the Texans to be two-dimensional on offense.

2) Can the defense keep up with New England's hurry-up offense that they didn't handle well against Green Bay? Will JJo be healthy or will the secondary continue to play shorthanded?

I don't think anything is as high a priority for the Texans in this game as getting real pressure on Brady.

Like the Packer game earlier this season, I kinda wonder if the opponent wants (actually, needs) this win more than the Texans.

One key difference here will be the weather. Aaron Rodgers was phenomenal throwing the ball in that game, but the forecast for Monday calls for a chance of showers and upper 30s... not the same conditions for Brady's passing game that Rodgers enjoyed here in Houston. Ironically, I think the yuckier the weather conditions are better for the Texans.

Dan Roche (@RochieWBZ) tweeted:
NFL Sources tell #wbz tv the news not good on Julian Edelman. Broken foot, likely needs surgery and likely headed to IR. #Patriots

NE is also not the downfield passing threat that Rodgers and GB are. I think the NE offense will definitely move the ball and score, but long drives and short gains and 3rd down conversions is not the way to attack this defense. Brandon Lloyd has not given them the deep threat they thought he would, and Gronk was the other deep guy. They signed Dante Stallworth yesterday, but they are more a horizontal defense than a vertical one. That is tough to do against the Texans because on a 10 play drive we will probably create some negative, drive-killing plays.

Again, I'm not saying we shut them down, they're just too good on offense for that. But I am saying they are a better offense than the Packers, but they don't create the problems for us that GB did.

TV = ESPN, Monday 7:30 pm CST

Announcers = Mike Tirico, John Gruden

The line = Pats by 3 to 4

Sunday viewing in the Houston area:

CBS early = San Diego @ Pittsburgh w/Jim Nantz and Phil Simms

FOX early = Dallas @ Cincinnati w/Thom Brennaman, Brian Billick

FOX late = New Orleans @ NYG w/Joe Buck, Troy Aikman

SNF = Detroit @ Green Bay w/Al Michaels, Chris Collinsworth

Looks like predicting cold and rain for gametime.

Is that gonna make it lower scoring?

Temperatures will be probably mid-high 40s and while there is a 50-70% chance of rain, it doesn't appear to be a steady rain but light precip. I don't think it will disrupt the offenses much and may give them opportunities if the field is slippery.

I'd take this over 30s and blowing snow.

I think rain also slows the pass rush at least as much as the offense (unless it's a crazy driving rain that makes passing impossible).

Game total opened at 53 and is now down to 50.5. So, the public is going "under" although 50+ points is not really "low-scoring".

The Patriots had a stretch of going "over" 9 times in a row until that was broken last week when they played the Dolphins (game went under 51, final score = Pats 23, Dolphins 16). Pats have gone over 9 times and under 3 times in their 12 games. Texan's over/under is 6 times equally.

New England ATS (against the spread) = 7-5
Texans ATS = 8-4

If I was betting, I'm taking the points/Texans and the under...

Edelman out and Grongowski likely out might slow down Pats ST and scoring a little as well.?

Sounds like the same kind of weather we had in ChiTown ?

I don't know why but I'm starting to feel better about this one. Does anyone have anything on JJo and Ball? I cannot believe I'm worried about whether or not Alan Ball will play. And that I still feel OK about the game.

JJo is supposed to be a go, I'm not sure on Ball.

JJo is a go, barring a set back between now and Monday.
Ball is questionable, and a GTD.
Newton and Reed already ruled out.

I'm thinking 31-24 Pats, which is about the same margin I predicted for a Bear victory when we traveled there to play that Sunday night game, so I hope my
call on this game is just as inaccurate as that one was. Really my biggest concern is that we come back to Houston really flat after a disappointing loss tonight, have a short week to get ready for Indy, and then lose to them in Reliant this coming Sunday.

Baltimore's OT loss to Washington takes some of the pressure off. If we win, we've got this pretty much nailed down.

Win or lose, we'll still be first in the conference with three games to play. I just hope we have the answers for Andrew Luck and can break our hex in Indy. I don't want to hear for the next decade that we kept drafting d-linemen too early because "we have to get to Andrew Luck".

Texans getting plenty hypw for game tonight.

Texans 6-0 on the road this year, Pats haven't lost at home in December in 4 years.

New upcoming dynasty against current dynasty.

Even letterman jackets on Texans getting publicity.

Patriots offense against Texans defwnse another storyline.

Should be a good, fun , exciting MNF game.

I think Texans win 27-24.

JJ. And Bulls on Parade do it, stop run and pressure Brady.

If Joseph is reasonably healthy then I like our chances. If not, it could be bad.

I asked a Raider fan friend of mine (yes, I have one) about Routt and he said, He wakes up in the morning with a flag next to his bed.

Oof, late movement on the line pushes it up to Pats by 6. Sure hope this is a Patriot-lovin' public surge rather than the sharps as I am all in on the Texans at my fake money betting website.... Yesterday/Sunday was brutal capping off a brutal week - couldn't pick a winner to save my butt....

I think this will be a tightly contested game. As usual, as long as we don't make any huge mistakes - like giving up the ball deep in our zone or allowing a big punt/kick return, I think we'll be OK and at least in the game. I think the Texans can contain Ridley and it would not surprise me in the least to see the Pats go primarily with a Woodhead pass-oriented set instead. Contain Welker to a degree and minimize the mistakes and I think we'll win.

Thirteen minutes to gametime.

Two great teams.

Can't wait to see what happens.

Let's go, baby!

Take care of the ball, play smart, keep Brady on the sidelines, no shitty throws for Schaub, MAKE TACKLES, and just don't let the Patriots win in typical late Patriot Luck fashion if they have to win tonight.

I don't know how this game will turn out. I really don't. I hope our secondary is up to the task.

That's big. They're going to make plays. It happens. Do not give them anything extra.

Whoa, didn't catch the name of the band, but nice opening for MNF....

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Big game, big game. Will tonight be the night that there is a shift in the NFL power? Perhaps the Mayans were talking about the Texans? :p

Texans will receive....

Martin downs the ball in the endzone. Texans ball at the 20.

Foster for 12. Flag down. Illegal formation on Texans -5. Makes it 1st and 15.

Foster for almost 15..... 1st down.

Flags presnap. No flags, Pats timeout.

Texans at their 30.

Foster looses footing, loses 1 yard. 2nd and 11 coming up.

Foster for 5. 3rd and 6 coming up.

Oy, deep pass to Jean off his hands, inc. Texans have to punt.

Nice return by Welker brings it all the way back to the Pats 44. Pats ball.

On the band, found this in New 0haven , Connecticut Gazette-

The Shiny Lapel Trio, a band of Shoreline 40-somethings, has been slugging it out in Connecticut bars, restaurants and on local town greens for a few years now. But come tonight, they’re going to find themselves in different company.

One of their songs, “Rock-A-Betty Swing,” will open Monday Night Football telecast on ESPN, putting them in a slot previously occupied by bands like the Rolling Stones, Los Lonely Boys and The Charlie Daniels Band.

The song, just recorded with ESPN’s backing, will air between the 8:25 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. kickoff of the game between the New England Patriots and Houston Texans, then again before the start of the second half, said drummer Richard Talarczyk of Guilford.

Ridley for 4.

Ridley for big gainer. 15(?) yards.

Ridley for 4.

Brady's pass off the mark over the middle, inc. 3rd and 6 coming up.

Brady's deep pass off the mark, inc but holding on the Texans (Harris) gives the Pat an auto 1st down at the Texan 29.

Pass to Welker goes all the way to the 4 yard line.

Gah, Ridley gains a yard, fumbles, but the Pats recover at the 7 yard line.

Dumpoff to Hernandez goes for the TD.

Pats 7, Texans 0

9:27 left in the 1st quarter.

The Texans had the chance to make three plays and they made none. If that continues they'll get blown out.

It's basically just not fair that Brady gets to feast on Kareem Jackson AND Brandon Harris.

Let's go offense. Need an equaliuzer. No panic.

Martin downs the ensuing kickoff in the endzone. Texans ball at their 20.

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Dumpoff to AJ over the middle goes for 8. 2nd and 2 coming up.

Dumpoff to Forsett goes for nice gainer. 15 yards.

Pass to OD goes for 12.

Schaub sacked by Ninkovich. 2nd and 14 coming up.

Foster for 2. 3rd and 12 coming up.

Pass over the middle to Jean complete for nice gainer. Offsides on Pats is declined. 1st and 10 at the Pats 23.

Foster for 2.

Schaub's pass in the endzone INT'ed by McCourty who brings it back to the Pats 18. Pats ball.

Schaub's Shitty Throw of the Game (tm)

In before you get corrected again.

Thanks for this...

Ok, int in end zone. Almost Pi. Good looking drive. Need our defense now.

Brady's pass is deflected from the rush, inc. 2nd and 10 coming up.

Ridley gets stonewalled. 3rd and 10 coming up.

Pass to Lloyd good for 13 and the 1st down.

Dumpoff to Woodhead goes for nice gainer. About 17 yards.

Pass to Hernandez goes for 13.

Deep pass to a wide open Lloyd goes for the TD. 37 yards.

Pats 14, Texans 0

2:49 left in the 1st quarter.

Pretty rocky start. Brady making this look way to easy.