Playing with Fire – Houston vs. New England – NFL Sunday Pick – Divisional Playoff

Tom Brady leads the New England Patriots against J.J. Watt and the Houston Texans

Here is the Pick for Texans vs. Patriots

Houston: 13-4

New England:  12-4

‘

Texans vs. Patriots -  The Houston Texans seemed to get things back on track last week with their win over the Cincinnati Bengals.  J.J. Watt and Arian Foster had outstanding performances and Matt Schaub did just enough in the passing game to help the Texans move on.  It’s hard to believe, but that was Matt Schaub’s first playoff appearance in his career.  And with it being a win, it may give him the confidence he needs to go head to head with Tom Brady in Foxborough.

The win over the Bengals showed exactly what kind of team the Texans are.  A running team that wins with tough defense.  If they have to get into a shootout with Tom Brady and the Patriots, then they’ll have little to no chance to win.  I don’t think Schaub can put the team on his shoulders and win this for the Texans.  They have to run the football well with Foster, and they need J.J. Watt to wreak havoc on the Patriots defense.

If they can cause a few turnovers and limit their own, then the Texans have a good chance at winning.  But unfortunately for the Texans, Tom Brady is one of the greatest QB’s of all time, and situations like this are what he lives for.  As good as Matt Schaub is, Tom Brady is just that much better.  So Schaub may have to play the game of his life in order for the Texans to advance.

The Patriots come into this game about as healthy as they could hope to be.  But one major missing ingredient for the Texans is LB Brian Cushing.  I think the Texans sorely missed his presence late in the season, and in a game like this when Tom Brady is on the other team, you need to have your absolute best out there. 

With Cushing, the Texans would probably be playing this game in Houston right now, but without him, they are still a good team, but I don’t think quite good enough to overcome the Patriots on the road.  I look for the Texans to stay close initially, but ultimately the Patriots have too much firepower for them to keep up.  Patriots move on.       27-20 – Patriots

Ravens vs. Broncos – pick

Packers vs. 49ers – pick

Seahawks vs. Falcons – pick

Related Articles

• Houston Texans vs. New England Patriots: Tom Brady vs. Houston’s Defense (bleacherreport.com)
• Houston Texans vs. New England Patriots Divisional Playoff Preview (bleacherreport.com)
• 2013 AFC Divisional playoffs, Texans vs. Patriots game preview: Houston looks to silence naysayers (houston.sbnation.com)

Top Stories