Keys To Victory - Houston

For excellent info about Gary Kubiak's scheme
READ: BB Press Conference

Each week there is a new gameplan, a new formula for victory. Each week certain aspects of the game just loom larger than the rest. The idea is not to divine the course of the contest, but to highlight the match-ups and intangibles that I'll have my eye on during the broadcast.

1. Can't Turn It Over - When you look at the numbers, they seem to lean toward the Texans. Really, the biggest advantage The Patriots have here is the turnover ratio. On both sides of the ball, The Pats are the superior team when it comes to turnovers. This tells me that if Houston can go 11-1 without the benefit of a great turnover ratio, then we can't afford to beat ourselves. Houston is so balanced that it will be hard to pull away on the scoreboard. We're going to need every single possession because we need to establish our offensive strength. We need to play our game.

2. Win Field Position & Special Teams Battle - Big games in primetime never proceed in a routine manner. It's nearly a guarantee that something out of the ordinary will happen in the 3rd phase of the game, Special Teams. Julian Edelman's injury affects a couple different units, and it leaves a void at punt returner. It seems like Wes Welker will return punts, but I think his most important job back there is to avoid injury. Still, a big return couldn't hurt. Since we are playing such a good defense, field position can really go a long way. Whether short fields lead to long FGs, short TD drives, or even punts inside the 20, field position often plays a huge role in deciding football games. Likewise, I'll also have my eye on Gostkowski and Mesko. Obviously we can't afford to miss FGs, but kick-offs and punts can't be overlooked either.

Brady's decision making in the no-huddle will
be huge in this contest

3. Wear 'Em Out In No-Huddle - Brady and McDaniels have seriously dialed back the No-Huddle attack in recent weeks. I have a theory about that, and here it is: they have been saving it for the next two weeks (Houston and San Fran). These are the two best defenses that we'll face in the regular season, and it makes sense to prepare something special for them. Both Houston and San Francisco get it done with big guys up front on defense. Not coincidentally the No-Huddle is terrific for wearing-down big linemen by limiting substitutions. Everybody is concerned with J.J. Watt, and it seems to me that this is the obvious solution. Unfortunately the one caveat to this solution is that the offense needs to avoid short possessions or 3-and-outs. I've got a feeling that we've been stockpiling no-huddle plays just for this situation. Still, the execution has to happen on the field.

4. Stop The Run With Front-7 - Much has been made about Arian Foster, and the Texans' zone blocking scheme. The big question for The Patriots defense is if they can handle Foster with Wilfork, Love, Ninkovich, Jones, Hightower, Spikes, and Mayo. The Pats are going to have to handle the 1-cut running of Foster with just the DL and LBs because if they can't, then they will get killed on play-action passes. Andre Johnson is going to need double coverage, and the only way we can afford to do that is if we can keep two deep safeties in the backfield. In addition, Jones (if he plays) and Ninkovich need to hold it down on the edges because Foster dangerous coming out of the back door, and Schaub is great on the roll-outs. Stopping the run will affect everything on defense.

5. 60 Minute Energy - This is the most important part of the game plan. There is no substitute to high energy football. Honestly, if you can't get your engine revving for this game, you might as well stay home for the playoffs. We need the energy from the role players all the way up to the captains. I am sick and tired of hearing about The Texans. I am sick of hearing about J.J. Watt. Let's show them who's conference they are in...We still own the AFC, and they're going to have to come to our house in primetime. I honestly think The Patriots can prove that they are the team to beat in the whole NFL with a decisive victory here at home against Houston.