Houston Texans vs New England Patriots 2012 AFC Divisional

Houston Texans vs New England Patriots 2012 AFC Divisional

Quick Summary: The pick is New England Patriots at Betonline.

NFL Team Stats and Key Football Players

Houston Texans (12-4) lost 3 of the last 5 games played in the regular season and struggled to win the wild card game vs Cincinnati Bengals. This Houston team isn’t the one we seen throughout the season. They’re not making the same plays nor shutting down offense like they use to. However, I do believe that if and only if true Houston Texans show up to play they will have a fighting chance.

Houston Texans key offensive players are Matt Schaub, Arian Foster, Owen Daniels, and Andre Johnson. These four players create serious problems for any team defense. However, when They went up against the New England Patriots in week 14, the Patriots defense shut down the Texans rushing game. Matt Schaub needs to focus on the passing game. Make sure Owen Daniels and Andre Johnson receive a good percentage of those balls. This will create openings for Arian Foster to push the rushing yards.

Injury report stats Owen Daniels has had full participation in practice so he may be back on the field from his shoulder injury. If he is not on this field this Sunday the Houston Texans chances of  winning are slim to none.

Houston Texans key defensive players of this game will be J.J. Watt and Kareem Jackson. J.J. Watt will need to do what he does best, sacks and force fumbles. The Patriots offensive linemen are no push overs so he has  serious challenge on his hands. Kareem Jackson leads the team in interceptions. However, he didn’t get a single one last weekend vs the Bengals. He will need to bring his A-game against the Patriots.

New England Patriots (12-4) may have the same record as the Houston Texans. However, one of those wins came from a 42-14 victory over the Houston Texans.

New England Patriots key offensive players in this game will Tom Brady and Stevan Ridley.  Tom Brady will surely be picking apart the Texans defense throughout the game.  Stevan Ridley will have a challenge on his hands with this game as the Texans defense is known to stop the run. If he can get the Texans defense focused on him then this will allow Tom Brady to beat the defense time and time again.

New England Patriots key defensive players for this game is hard for me to just pick a few because the Patriots defense is a defense that isn’t relaying on one or two players. They have a list of defensive players that know how to play their part. However, I do believe that Devin McCourty will play a major role in this game.

Where To Bet Online On The Texans vs Patriots Game

At the online bookmakers the points spread isn’t very different from each other. At Bovada the points spread is Houston Texans +10 (-110) and the New England Patriots -10 (-110) while at BetOnline the points spread is Houston Texans +9½ (-110) and the New England Patriots -9½ (-110).

Both online sportsbooks have a trap bet going for this game with the money line. Bovada has Houston Texans +340 and BetOnline has Houston Texans +365. I recommend going with Betonline betting on New England Patriots -9½ (-110).
(Odds last updated: 1/12/2013)

Houston Texans vs New England Patriots Predictions

I am going to keep this short. The Houston Texans haven’t been playing their A-game lately. The only reason they won the AFC wild card is because the Bengals beat themselves. As long as Tom Brady pick apart the Texans defense then the New England Patriots will this game. It’s hard to predict a score on this one so ill just say the New England Patriots will cover the spread.

My Prediction: New England Patriots

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Game Final Score

• Houston Texans: 28
• New England Patriots: 41