Houston Texans @ New England Patriots. 12/10. 7:30. **Official MNF GameDay Thread**

[ThaShark316]

The Night Game, Part IV

With a two-game lead on the rest of the AFC, the Houston Texans could go a long way toward proving they're the team to beat this week.

The New England Patriots, though, certainly aren't ready to concede the conference they've represented in the Super Bowl five times in the last 11 years.

These powers each bring a six-game winning streak into Monday night's showdown in Foxborough, where Houston will put its unblemished road record on the line against the AFC East champions.

The Texans (11-1) and Patriots (9-3) have met only three times before - once at New England, where Houston lost 40-7 in 2006 - but a new rivalry could be about to develop, with the chance of a more important matchup in the upcoming playoffs.

"You've got one of the all-time great leaders in football from a coaching standpoint and a quarterback standpoint," Texans coach Gary Kubiak said of Bill Belichick and Tom Brady. "You know you're going to have to raise your level of play and play as good as you can possibly play. That's why we do what we do. It is a big challenge, but I know our football team will be looking forward to it."

In the franchise's first postseason appearance last season, Houston came close to earning a date with the Patriots in the AFC title game, but lost to Baltimore in the divisional round. Now, with Matt Schaub healthy and star defensive end J.J. Watt helping his unit overcome a slew of injuries, the Texans have taken another step forward.

They've shown their mettle with six road wins in as many trips, including games at Denver and Chicago.

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What I Want To See:

Remember those 30 attempt games with Arian? Yeah, those...

Look, I'm one of the folks that loves giving Arian rest. That said, this is such a huge game, that I'm willing to look the other way. Pound the rock like it's Chicago all over again.

Attack Brady in every which way

Bring heat with 5 or 6, rush 4/drop 7...etc. Make his night a hassle and disrupt the timing with his weapons as much as possible. Something I've noticed in the past is that his OL can be rattled by a disruptive front-four, so let's get to them as well.

Test their pass D (deep)

Take some shots up top when the opportunities present themselves. Dre, Walter (yes, even him), you name it. Let's get the Pats on their heels with the run and some bootleg/waggle action.

Stuff the run and make NE one-dimensional

This is already a tough offense to deal with. The LAST thing we need is for Ridley and Vereen to get off and make it tougher to try and handle. This is a really good (shocking to most, I'm sure) run offense this year, so stopping this run will be KEY tonight.

Last night game of the regular season, fam! Ladies and Gents, this is indeed a huge game, as we all know. That said, just because it's big, does NOT mean goals have changed. 1-0 every week, that's the goal! Let's go into Mass., get this W, get closer to a bye/home field throughout and show the nation what the Baddest Men Alive can do IN ENEMY TERRITORY. LET'S MUTHA****IN' GO, TEXANS!!!!

[TheMatrix31]

Beat their asses.

**** New England.

[SAMURAITEXAN]

Let's go Texans!!!

[ItsMyFault]

http://bostonglobe.com/sports/2012/1...r3L/story.html

Can someone tell me if this guy is for real? I can't seem to figure it out.

[Showtime100]

Sure he's for real. He's Dan "The Gronk" Shaughnessy coming to you live from his room in momma's basement.

Nah, the guy is a clown. He's so bad even ESPN won't even take him on a regular basis.

[Tailgate]

Not gonna get much work done tomorrow.

GO TEXANS!

[kiwitexansfan]

Not particularly confident.

Kind of looking past the Pats to the Colts.

Gotta smash the Colts.

[SAMURAITEXAN]

Originally Posted by ItsMyFault

http://bostonglobe.com/sports/2012/1...r3L/story.html

Can someone tell me if this guy is for real? I can't seem to figure it out.

Just a hard core Pats fan trying his best to get an attention and gain some popularity as a journalist.

[EllisUnit]

Originally Posted by ItsMyFault

http://bostonglobe.com/sports/2012/1...r3L/story.html

Can someone tell me if this guy is for real? I can't seem to figure it out.

Ok he wasnt sure until he heard the team was coming wearing letterman jackets ???

Unproven - Broncos, Detroit, Bears on the road, stomping the Ravens at home. If beating 3 AFC and 1 NFC division leader is unproven then i guess the Patriots have yet to play yet.... Joke of an article. No research or thought went into his blog.

[TheMatrix31]

Seems like a bit of sarcasm and bombast to exaggerate but he probably feels that basic way anyway.

**** the Patriots AND their fans. We might win, we might lose. It could be a damn good game. Just don't get blown out. Take care of the ball. Keep Brady off the field. Don't do stupid ****.

[gtexan02]

Originally Posted by TheMatrix31

Seems like a bit of sarcasm and bombast to exaggerate but he probably feels that basic way anyway.

**** the Patriots AND their fans. We might win, we might lose. It could be a damn good game. Just don't get blown out. Take care of the ball. Keep Brady off the field. Don't do stupid ****.

I want to blow them out. Everyone is saying it's going to be close or the Pats are going to blow us out. I want to see us put up 40 on the Pats and win big. Shut everyone up. I want it to be over by halftime. I'm tired of these 911 inducing wins

[aussie_texan]

every time i see this thread its just before i go to bed! so its not quite gameday for me yet but with that being said GO TEXANS!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Im that pumped i dont think im going to sleep much tonight!!!

going to be a massive game and we going to come out on TOP !!!!!!!! cant wait to yell at the tv when Watt sacks bradys a*s!!!!! GO TEXANS!!!!!!


bedtime now...

[TejasTom]

Originally Posted by ItsMyFault

http://bostonglobe.com/sports/2012/1...r3L/story.html

Can someone tell me if this guy is for real? I can't seem to figure it out.

Is it a real clown or just someone dressed as a clown?

[HJam72]

Originally Posted by aussie_texan

every time i see this thread its just before i go to bed! so its not quite gameday for me yet but with that being said GO TEXANS!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Im that pumped i dont think im going to sleep much tonight!!!

going to be a massive game and we going to come out on TOP !!!!!!!! cant wait to yell at the tv when Watt sacks bradys a*s!!!!! GO TEXANS!!!!!!


bedtime now...

Good luck sleepin'.

[aussie_texan]

Originally Posted by HJam72

Good luck sleepin'.

yeah tell me about it. im still here still havnt left the computer

[Everlong]

Originally Posted by ItsMyFault

http://bostonglobe.com/sports/2012/1...r3L/story.html

Can someone tell me if this guy is for real? I can't seem to figure it out.

Pats fan here.

I'm actually surprised Shaughnessy wrote this. He's usually Mr Negative. I should also point out he's a baseball writer who's been allowed to become a columnist writing on all things sports. Most Boston sports fans cannot stand him myself included. I would put zero stock into anything he writes and trust me 95% of the Patriots fan base is not taking this game for granted. We know the Texans are for real.

Anybody discounting the Texans for having close calls vs the Jags and Lions and not doing so for the Pats with the Jets (first game OT) or Buffalo the second game isn't looking at the big picture. Good teams win those games and bad teams lose them.

On the weather front it's 55 and raining this morning. No idea if the rain will stop but the reports of snow are bogus. It's not happening.

Good luck. I hope it's an epic game with no injuries.

[76Texan]

Originally Posted by Everlong

Pats fan here.

I'm actually surprised Shaughnessy wrote this. He's usually Mr Negative. I should also point out he's a baseball writer who's been allowed to become a columnist writing on all things sports. Most Boston sports fans cannot stand him myself included. I would put zero stock into anything he writes and trust me 95% of the Patriots fan base is not taking this game for granted. We know the Texans are for real.

Anybody discounting the Texans for having close calls vs the Jags and Lions and not doing so for the Pats with the Jets (first game OT) or Buffalo the second game isn't looking at the big picture. Good teams win those games and bad teams lose them.

On the weather front it's 55 and raining this morning. No idea if the rain will stop but the reports of snow are bogus. It's not happening.

Good luck. I hope it's an epic game with no injuries.

Yeah, I kinda doubt it's going to snow watching the development the last 48 hours.

The Texans need to keep Woodhead in check, too.
They can't afford to let that little guy get lost in the pile.
(Why is it that the Pats get a bunch of players that I like out of college?)

[Everlong]

Originally Posted by 76Texan

(Why is it that the Pats get a bunch of players that I like out of college?)

I feel the same way about the Texans. I really wanted Barwin, Reed and Watt.

[TheMatrix31]

Yeah, that's another thing. Keep those typical troll Patriot players out of the equation. Woodhead, etc. Get that garbage outta here.

[bckey]

Originally Posted by Everlong

Pats fan here.

I'm actually surprised Shaughnessy wrote this. He's usually Mr Negative. I should also point out he's a baseball writer who's been allowed to become a columnist writing on all things sports. Most Boston sports fans cannot stand him myself included. I would put zero stock into anything he writes and trust me 95% of the Patriots fan base is not taking this game for granted. We know the Texans are for real.

Anybody discounting the Texans for having close calls vs the Jags and Lions and not doing so for the Pats with the Jets (first game OT) or Buffalo the second game isn't looking at the big picture. Good teams win those games and bad teams lose them.

On the weather front it's 55 and raining this morning. No idea if the rain will stop but the reports of snow are bogus. It's not happening.

Good luck. I hope it's an epic game with no injuries.

Thanks and welcome. Good honest post. I really think it is going to be a good game. Nothing like the Green Bay game.