I know right? Picking the Patriots to beat the Texans is a clear sign of East Coast bias. Nobody that isn't brainwashed by ESPN would think that the Patriots, of all teams, could beat the respected powerhouse that is the Texans. I mean, what, do the Patriots have a Hall of Fame quarterback? Do they have a Hall of Fame wide receiver? Do they have arguably the greatest coach of the last decade? Have they ever gone undefeated? Ha! ESPN is so biased!
Do I think the Texans should be favored? No. Do I think (along with everybody else on the planet) that ESPN is biased towards Northeastern players and teams? Yes. If you feel otherwise, then good luck flying that flag, my friend.
I sure hope the Texans don't start John Busing. He is a linebacker playing safety. Tom Brady will tear him apart. Every time he plays the Texans usually lose. I much rather see Brian Russell playing if the Texans re-sign him when they place Barber on IR. Russell isn't that good either but at least him he got's a lot of starting experience.
There's a reason the Texans are favored by 7 in this game. Yes, I know it's because Vegas expects the Patriots to rest starters, but that's a relatively safe bet. Unfortunately, even that is too deep a level of analysis for a lot of the "analysts" used by Sportscenter.
I think that this is true, but I don't think it escaped the attention of the oddsmakers that the Texans are on a 3 game winning streak, are playing for their playoff lives, and the Pats haven't won a game on the road against a quality opponent for the entire season.
I might turn into a homicidal maniac if the Patriots rest their starters and essentially accept an easy loss this week. My hatred for that team will reach new levels that even the Lakers, Mavs or Jazz couldn't touch. That said, I know you guys don't care since you'll make the playoffs and the Steelers won't!
Of course, I'm not shocked they picked the Patriots either...but to say that we'll be 8-8 because "that's just who they are" is pretty annoying.
What is weird to me is that with the current schedule. The Bengals basically get to decide who they play in the 1st round assuming Houston beats New England... If one of Broncos/Ravens win... The Bengals can beat the Jets take the #3 seed and play the Texans or The Bengals can lose to the Jets take the #4 seed and play the Ravens/Broncos If both Broncos & Ravens lose... The Bengals can beat the Jets take the #3 seed and play the Steelers or The Bengals can lose to the Jets take the #4 seed and play the Texans I don't know about you, but if I'm the Bengals I try to avoid the Texans. They have beaten the Ravens & Steelers already twice and the Broncos look very vulnerable. Texans offense can take over a half (and make the game difficult), and we have already beaten the Bengals once.
Yep, and this is my biggest fear. Basically, the Bengals can do exactly what the Colts did last week, and screw us out of a playoff spot, if they feel like it. Of course, all of this is assuming we take care of our business, and either Oakland or KC pulls the incredibly unlikely upset. The only saving grace I see is that the Bengals might feel like we won't handle the pressure of the playoffs well (and honestly, why would we?) whereas the Ravens are a tested team with plenty of experience. The Broncos I think are just as Jekyll and Hyde as the Texans, but their defense is much more stout. In the end, I THINK the Bengals will play to win, but I'm just not confident in that. Let's hope NBC moving the game to Sunday night will give them more incentive to show the country who they really are.
It's actually worse than what you think. If the Jets win, they're the No. 5 seed - so the Bengals control their own destiny to lose out and play the incredibly weak Jets, in Cincy, in the first round.
And given that it's a possibility that they'll play them in week 1, there's no reason for Cinci to show their hand in the game. Similar to the NE/Texans game, NE and Cinci could be facing rematches if they lose, so they have every incentive to either not play their starters (giving their opponents nothing useful) or playing a base offense and defense to not give away any of their strategy. Meanwhile, they get a live look at their potential first round opponent playing full speed with their best gameplan, because those teams absolutely have to win.
I think NE will sit their starters...if the game is a blow out. If it's close, they starters will play
Mark Sanchez is bad but the Jets run the ball very well and play great defense. Those two things go a long way in the cold weather. Jets could beat the Bengals in the playoffs.
Every team in the playoffs could beat the Bengals, but if you had the choice, would you rather face the Jets, the Texans, the Ravens, the Broncos, or the Steelers? I'd definitely prefer the Broncos and Jets over the other three.
I would rather play the Broncos and Jets too. The Jets offensive line is great and they have two very good running backs plus the number 1 defense. Don't sleep on them. Actually if they end up playing the Bengals in the playoffs, I am predicting they win. I think the Bengals rather play the Ravens a team they have dominated twice this year already.
Belichick won't divulge lineup plans http://sports.espn.go.com/boston/nfl/news/story?id=4781718 No real news, but my hunch is that he'll sit them after halftime.
