**** Official "McDaniels-free zone" Cincinnati @ Houston playoff game thread ****

[Baby Lee]

Originally Posted by JD10367

You mean the Texans will dare Belichick to pass the ball, and Belichick will be so stubborn he continues to pass even though he has a great running back? I really don't see the connection at all.

I don't think the Patriots are unstoppable by any means. They've certainly shown that recently. But this year's offense might actually be the best they've had. 2007 was impressive but, by the second half of the season, teams had begun figuring it out; the writing was on the wall well before the Giants' SB win. Even from last year to this year, the Pats have made strides; in their second seasons, Gronk and AHern have developed into beasts, and they still have Welker and Branch and some running ability. So, despite the recent early-playoff exits, it looks like someone's going to have to score 35+ to beat them, or hold Brady & Co. to 17 or 20... and I don't see the Texans doing either.

1. OIC, UC the Pat's throttling of the Rams' potent offense as a failure of the OC. I disagree. BB used a confounding mix of deception and pressure to take them out of their game. Texas can do the same with QB pressure and coverage.

2. The Texans have hung 31 on a Bengals D highly superior to NEs [granted 7 is due to INT return, but it's the first playoff game for the franchise and their 5th round rookie QB].