Official Texans vs. Patriots Game Thread, 12/13/2015
 

The 6-6 Texans have been flexed into the Sunday night prime time game this week as they host the 10-2 New England Patriots. New England is coming off two straight losses and banged up but the oddsmakers still like them to win as they have been established as 3 pt favorites.


The Texans had their 4 game winning streak broken last week on the road against the Buffalo Bills losing 30-21. The Texans will look to get back on track and keep their chances of post-season football alive but will have a tough task of it with the Patriots.

The Texans are 6-6 ATS and the Pats are 5-5-2 ATS.

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TV = NBC (channel 2 local), 7:30 pm CST, Sunday, Dec 13

Announcers = Al Michaels, Cris Collingsworth

The line = Patriots by 3

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Sunday viewing in the Houston area:

CBS (early) = Indianapolis @ Jacksonville -- Tom McCarthy, Adam Archuleta

FOX (early) = Washington @ Chicago -- Kenny Albert, Daryl Johnston

FOX (late) = Dallas @ Green Bay -- Joe Buck, Troy Aikman

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Other prime time:

TNF = Minnesota @ Arizona, NFLN, 7:25 pm

MNF = NY Giants @ Miami, ESPN, 7:30 pm

IMO, the Texans need to win out the rest of their games to make the playoffs. Saw a twit-post yesterday that stated the Pats have experienced a 3-game losing streak only once during Brady's tenure as starter. It would be nice to make this the second time.

If you want to be the best, you have to beat the best. Gronk getting a bit closer...

I know that Pitt is really hot right now, but after watching the Pitt-Indy game I think Indy is playing about as badly as anybody right now, they are terrible - they lost by 5 TDs. If we can win 3 of the last 4 (including beating Indy), we could still win the division IMO.

Colts Remaining Schedule: @JAX, HOU, @MIA, TENN
Texans Remaining Schedule: NE, @IND, @TENN, JAX

Sure IND got slammed by a good PITT team on the road on SNF, but IMO, their schedule is easier than ours. I'm not sure what happens on the tie-breaker if we beat them and still end up in a tie, but just say we win there, I do not see them losing against JAX and TENN, and MIA is a mess. Win-out and the division and playoffs are ours.

Pendergrast (sp) went thru those scenarios the other day. You can read it here, but it assumes we end up tied with Indy at years end (we lose Sunday night, and beat the Colts).
http://www.houstonpress.com/news/the...icated-7981807

It is very dizzying...... It goes to like the 6th tiebreaker where what other teams are doing matters for Strength of Schedule.

Dizzying, indeed. My gosh I just hope we win-out. I'd hate to lose a division title because of a stinking Saints/Falcons game. And you know darn well we'd lose out because that's just how Houston's luck goes when it comes to sports.

I think it will be interesting to follow Hoyer's performance in these next two games.... Will he rise to the occasion?

I wasn't onboard with his acquisition (even though the Texans didn't bother to consult me) back in the spring, but he's grown on me a little in kind of a game manager/don't-turn-the-ball-over/Alex Smith-lite kinda way..... He's done some good, he's done some bad.... and I think his future (back for 2016?) with the Texans may be decided in these next two games...

I'm just hoping that we all aren't regretting that maybe TJ Yates should've got the start in these last four games....

Gronk is playing tonight according to NFLN. Hopefully, he'll get reduced snaps and not be too effective.

Hopefully, he reinjures the knee and is out until March.

That is not the Christmas spirit.

:p

Ya, the Gronk-is-playing news has put a lot more money on the Pats as the spread has jumped to New England -6 at Bovada. Not a good sign for the Texans. He may play but I bet it is limited... This game just isn't that critical to New England to jeopardize Gronk's future availability..

Gametime finally here! **I've been waiting all day for Sunday night**.... thank you, Carrie Underwear....

Let's give the Pats the thrashing they so richly deserve....

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The Pats win the toss and defer. Texans to receive.

Kickoff is a touchback.

Texans ball at their 20.

Polk for 4.

Polk for loss of 2. 3rd and 8 coming up.

Hoyer sacked. Texans will have to punt.

Martin brings the punt back into Texan territory but flag on the Pats for block in the back places the ball at the Patriot 34.

Pats ball at their 34.

Blount for 2.

Blount loses 2. 3rd and 10 coming up.

Deep pass is broken up by JJo, inc. Pats will have to punt.

Shorts brings the punt back to the Texan 23.

I'm so glad they didn't call that a PI...they typically make that call just because he threw it up ..

Texan's ball at their 23.

Pass to Polk gets 5.

Polk for 1 or 2. 3rd and 3 coming up.

Direct snap to Shorts goes for no gain. Texans will have to punt.

Martin bring the punt back to the Pat 47.

Why the hell does Keyshawn look so much dawn faster...it's the curse of the Texans released players...

We are gonna get smoked if we think NE is gonna trade 3 and outs with us...just as I speak KJax gets smoked for a TD...gets called back though...luckily

Patriots ball at their 48.

Pass to a wide open Gronk goes for 45 yards. 1st and goal for the Pats at the 7 yard line.

Blount for 1.

Pass in the end zone is a TD but a flag is down.....illegal formation on the Pats, -5. Places the ball at the 11, 2nd and goal coming up.

Pass to Amendola goes to the 2 yard line. 3rd down coming up.

Pass to Martin good for the TD but another flag is down...Watt for roughing, hands to the face on Eddie Unpleasant.... Watt's penalty to be assessed on the kickoff. TD is good.

Pats 7, Texans 0

7:22 left in the 1st qtr.