Revenge + Underestimation is a nasty combination to face in a football opponent. Certainly understandable why the Patriots may be overconfident (and to remember this writer's opinions are not necessarily those of the team), but the Texans should enter this game feeling like they have nothing to lose. No one expects them to win. Don't play so tight.
The Texans put a little too much pressure of themselves last time (Thanks Dre for calling it 'the most important game in team history', which it wasn't), and they probably faced a team who wanted it more than them. Couple that with a couple funky bounces (like the fumble recovery Kareem missed and that forced fumble from the defense that the Pats recovered in the endzone for a TD), and this is not the mismatch it may seem. And we also wonder how much of the offensive playbook Kubiak employed...
The Texans need to (a) get to Brady by only rushing four. Blitzing great QBs like Brady, Rodgers, and Manning will not work. They can do this if they not only get the effort from J.J. Watt, but they also need guys like Antonio Smith and Connor Barwin to play like champions. And, more obviously, they also (b) need to keep this from becoming a track meet. Lastly, (c) they need to take an early lead, stetching the field from the start.
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