Gulf between Texans, Pats justifies long odds

New England favoured by 15 ½ in divisional round

When the point spreads came out for the divisional playoff round, the line getting the most attention was for the game in Foxborough, the one projected blowout.

While all four teams coming off byes are favoured, the Patriots (142) opened as a 13½-point choice against the Texans (10-7). The money started flowing in and the line moved up to 15½.

The players and coaches have no interest in such things, of course, reasoning that betting lines have no impact on what happens on the field Saturday night.

They are right. Talent makes the difference and rarely has there been such a mismatch in skill as in this one.

Not that the Texans, fresh off a rout of the injury-wrecked Raiders, will simply forfeit. They sound eager to face this test.

“You have to make sure that, No. 1, that you do your job,” Texans coach Bill O’Brien said. “That your players understand what their role in the game is and how they’re supposed to perform on every single play.

“They’re the type of team that if you make too many mistakes, they’re going to bury you.”

Let the romping begin. now than it was back then, although so are the Steelers.

If K.C. can get pressure on Big Ben and somewhat control Antonio Brown, the league’s most dangerous receiver, and running back Le’Veon Bell, it can use its relatively conservative offence to its advantage. But will Andy Reid turn the reins loose a bit when the Chiefs have the ball?

Experience, coaching and swagger — they all are on the side of the visitors.

Many of Seattle’s key contributors to its recent success remain on the scene: Russell Wilson, Bobby Wagner, Richard Sherman and Doug Baldwin.

But this is one of those proveit games for Atlanta’s all-pros, quarterback Matt Ryan and wideout Julio Jones.

Who isn’t in awe of Aaron Rodgers, the league’s best quarterback during the past two months?

The big issue here is the health of Jordy Nelson’s ribs. It’s not likely he will be on the field and even if he is, Nelson probably will be limited.

Still, the Packers will play loose and A-Rod will be dynamic. They figure to do their share of scoring against a Dallas defence that ranked 26th against the pass.

Then again, sensational rookies Zeke Elliott and Dak Prescott, operating behind the best line in the NFL and complemented by Jason Witten and Dez Bryant, also should supply points.

In a shootout ...