LOL - we aren't going to win, doesn't mean I won't cheer like hell....but it is the Patriots and I have ZERO faith in Osweiler. DD
There is always a chance in sports but I certainly wouldn't bet on it. However, we play the games for a reason. You have to hope your defense meets a Brady that is having an off day and then you might have a chance. Brock also can't have a single TO. You can't ever afford to give Brady another possession.
You have confidence on our defense that lost the game 27-0 to a 3rd string QB whom failed to score a single point the next game against the Bills defense?
We fumbled the ball twice on kick returns. Our defense I believe gave up one TD drive but otherwise was solid, on short rest, flying to Foxborough for a Thursday game. It was our offense that couldn't even move the ball past the 50 yard line.
We appear to be thinking the same thing. A little bravado every now and then is nice but folks need to realize that Belichick has had two weeks to devise a plan to attack the Texans' weaknesses and we all saw what he was able to do with a 3rd string QB making his first NFL start - they got stomped 27-ZIP. This time around, they'll be facing the best QB there is and his focus is on this game and not on all of the BS being spouted in the press and on social media. They do have a chance to win but that would require them to play far, far better than they've played all year. And that will be a tall order - especially with you-know-who at QB. That's why I getting a good chuckle listening to the callers on 790 who are upset that the Texans aren't getting any respect because they were the best of a bad division and beat a wounded team in round one of the playoffs. Respect has got to be earned and if they go into Gillette Stadium as 16 pt underdogs and beat the Pats, then they'll get that respect and much, much more. All of this talk makes for good theater but it will be what they do on the field that counts the most and not what ESPN, SI or some yahoo at the Boston Globe writes or says.
Yep. People tend to forget that the 1978 Oilers had a 10-6 record with a negative point differential. They beat Miami on the road, and the Patriots on the road... and then lost badly to the Steelers. Nobody remembers the first two games as much, but they weren't supposed to win either of them. The following year, they build on that... but still have to get an improbable victory at SD (which they did with their backup QB). But again, people only remember the losses to the Steelers.... during the most historically significant/successful era of pro football in this city.
Brady posted a 11-1 record this season, and the Patriots scored at least 21 points in 10 of those 11 games. The only game they scored less than 21 points was a win over the Broncos 16-3, if Denver wasn't that poor on offense, I believe the Patriots won't have much problems to go over 20 points either. Not to mention most people outside of Houston actually agreed that the Denver defense is better than the Texans regardless of the ranking. There is no any rational reasons to expect any teams can beat the Patriots in such games of 9-6 or 13-10. If you can not score more than 20 points, you almost have zero hopes against this team.
Our defense has improved a lot since then. Remember an injured Watt played part of that one. Also it was mostly our horrible offense putting the defense in bad position
But also bad offense actually can help your defense ranking. Check the second half of the Texans against the Raiders, we were playing prevent offense even early in the 3rd Q. When you know your opponents offense is so bad, you would rather punt the ball and play the field position so obviously the other team's defense won't look that bad. Same can be said to the Broncos situation of course.
Our punt returning unit gives me PTSD. I'm still having flashbacks from the Jacoby Jones Debacle in Baltimore. I can honestly say I would rather put a trash can out there to return kicks. At least then we know the football will stay in the bin.
Fuller has to be returning the kicks, Ervin cant even field a fair catch cleanly. Just one muff and this game is done.
That's all well and good but you have to ask yourself will that be enough. I just don't think so. I believe that for them to win, you'll need to see the type of effort that the Steelers put forth yesterday when they came out and just pimp-slapped Miami. And that's the type of game - where you see play at that type of high level on both sides of the ball - that we've yet to see from the Texans especially on offense. And that will be a very tall order for them to do this in the biggest game of the year.
The Patriots 3 TD "drives" went 22, 21 and 47 yards. First two TDs came after fumbled kick offs after the Patriots only 2 real sustained drives in the game (both resulting in FGs). Patriots had 6 3 and outs in their 13 possessions (last one was milking the clock and also a 5 play possession running out the first half). Granted, Brady is playing this time, but no reason to think the defense will get blown out.
Listen, I'm a Texans fan, and would love for them to win this game. That said, yes as you pointed out Brady IS playing this time. Thus every TD drive you pointed out (along with everything else) was with their 3RD string QB (NOT BRADY who's obviously one of the greatest QBs ever). It's also a playoff game on the road. More then likely the weather will be extremely cold, and more importantly windy, and for a QB (Brock) who's already shown he's not very accurate. Going up against Belichick . We've lost Kevin Johnson. IMO, the only chance the Texans have to win this game is to knock Brady out of the game.
That was a post enforcing Mr. Clutch's reply to Texanasiafan who essentially said the defense sucked in the first game.
Does Fuller have the hands to field a punt properly? That's the real question. Hell, put Hopkins back there.
