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

[WMH]

Leggo!

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

[HPF Bob]

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?

[nunusguy]

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

[Keith]

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.

[WMH]

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

[barrett]

Originally Posted by Keith

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.

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.

[Arky]

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