Houston Texans at New England Patriots (-9.5)

No reason to get fancy with this analysis; two-hundred words should be more than enough.  At its simplest form, this game boils down Schaub-Kubiak versus Brady-Belichick.  I know which side of that equation I’m going to lay my money.

The Texans lost 3 of their last 4 games to limp into the playoffs.  They continued their uninspired limp by escaping the first round with a dreadful performance against the Bengals.  Andy Dalton, ginger powers and all, may have played himself out of a starting job with an embarrassing performance against the Texans.  He left play after play on the field, including a wide open AJ Green streaking up the seam late in the game; a play that would have drastically changed the course of game.  Andy Dalton missed the throw.  Tom Brady won’t.

This game figures to play out exactly like their Week 14 match-up; a 42-14 beat-down of the Texans.  The Patriots front seven will contain Arian Foster (15 carries, 46 yards in that game) and force Matt Schaub into beating them.  The Patriots offense will keep the pedal to the metal the entire game, forcing the Texans into a shoot-out.

Patriots cruise for a rematch of last years AFC Championship.

NE 38, Houston 17

(Word Count: 210) NAILED IT!