Divisional Round Afterword: Patriots vs Texans

Shane Vereen had a rushing touchdown and two receiving touchdowns,
including this 33-yarder in the 4th quarter to put the game on ice.
Photo credit to The Boston Globe.

For the second consecutive season, New England will host Baltimore for the AFC Championship. Yesterday I reviewed how Baltimore advanced past the divisional round. Now it is time to look at the Patriots.

New England earned the #2 seed in the AFC and so did not have to play in the wild-card round. Houston, who beat Cincinnati to advance to the divisional round, was not given much chance to beat the Patriots. By the time it was 38-13, we knew why.

Houston scored a couple garbage time touchdowns and New England added a field goal to make the final score 41-28, but the game was never even that close.

Arian Foster came within 10 rushing yards of his fourth consecutive 100-yard playoff game. He also gained 63 yards on seven receptions.

Matt Schaub actually had a decent game, completing 34/51 passes (66.7 completion percentage), for 343 yards, two touchdowns and one pick.

So why was the game never close? Houston’s defense was absolutely embarrassed in Foxboro for the second time this season, that’s why. Whereas Houston did not have a single 30-yard completion, for New England, the longest reception for three different receivers was more than 30 yards.

It was a fairly clean game with just one turnover. Houston fumbled three times but recovered each of them. It truly was big plays that ultimately killed the Texans’ postseason run.

New England hosts Baltimore on Sunday at 6:30 p.m. on CBS. The winner advances to Super Bowl XLVII.

Divisional Round Preview: Patriots vs Texans

Game 4:

Sunday, January 13, 2013

4:30pm – CBS

Houston Texans @ New England Patriots

Arian Foster (23) and Ben Tate (44) each had 46 rushing yards in Week 14,
but Foster had Houston's only rushing touchdown.
Photo credit to isportsweb.com.

Join me on a trip to Foxboro, back in Week 14, when the Patriots blew out the Houston Texans, 42-14. It was Houston’s second loss of the season, but it was a turning point for the worse.

Tom Brady had four touchdown passes in the game, despite not topping 300 passing yards. If Houston wants to win this postseason rematch, they have to force New England to settle for some field goals.

New England’s defense has been shoddy at times, but one thing they have excelled at is forcing turnovers. Matt Schaub has had some trouble with turnovers in the past several weeks, and if he doesn’t protect the football I give Houston no chance at winning. Tom Brady may have struggled in the last game or two of the season, but he is still Tom Brady and he will hurt you if you give him extra possessions.

The Patriots have a solid ground game this year. In their Week 14 meeting with Houston, Steven Ridley and Shane Vereen combined for 112 yards on 26 carries. Houston’s defense is usually very good, and last week’s effort against Cincinnati was no exception. They will have to repeat last week’s performance and shut down New England’s ground game in order to effectively rattle Brady with pass rushing.

Bottom line, I don’t trust Houston’s offense right now. They have so many weapons that on paper, Houston has the ability to blow out the Patriots. But they are finding themselves in too many third down situations and they are turning the ball over. I think the Texans’ defense will keep it close, but I don’t expect their offense to take advantage.

Puff’s Pick:

Houston Texans – 14

New England Patriots – 20

MVP: Tom Brady