We all know the Brock Osweiler story, a backup in Denver getting the reps, eventually getting the starting quarterback job and signing the infamous 72 million dollar contract this past off season. As a Houston Texan, Osweiler is 1-0 in postseason games and his second postseason game as a Texan looks to be doomed on by many.
As the overwhelming favorites in Saturday’s divisional playoffs, New England has all the momentum on their side to capitalize on the Texans, but do not sleep on this Houston team. A defense that has been the league’s best this year, led by linebackers Jadeveon Clowney and Brian Cushing along with Benardrick McKinney along with the very underrated Whitney Merculis. If there is one Texans player that has the motor and grit to continue pressuring Brady, it would be Whitney Merculis, as he racked up 2 sacks in the takedown of Connor Cook and the Raiders last week in a 27-14 shutdown.
Offensively for the Texans, the wide receivers have gained the league’s attention as some of the best speedsters in all of football in DeAndre Hopkins and rookie Notre Dame sensation Will Fuller. When looking at the Texans, I believe your real problem are the two tight ends that are sneaky in plays and have the ability to march down the field. Both C.J. Fiedorowicz and former UConn beast Ryan Griffin are players that you don’t necessarily think of as superstars, but to this Texans team, they are very critical. Key blockers and critical to Osweiler’s ability to get down the field, be on the lookout for these two dynamic playmakers this Saturday night.
In New England’s case, running back LeGarrette Blount has dealt with an illness lately, and if progress is not clearing up, the “Next Man Up” mentality kicks in full gear for the Patriots backfield. Although the Patriots have in a way “revolutionized” the next man up way of a roster, they may want to look at Blount’s game time status and improvise from then on. But if things look promising, you will most likely see #29 bulldozing players Saturday. The only other main concern is wide receiver Malcolm Mitchell’s knee injury, but we will find out more as game time rolls around.
The bye week has obviously given New England an extra week for preparations, and they look to capitalize on a team that has been a victim to the Patriots success (out of 8 times facing each other, Patriots have won 7 of those games). The sportbooks have given Houston virtually no chance of winning this game, as the Patriots treat this team like any other competitor, as the Patriots seemingly have more going for them compared to the Texans.
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