Five things to watch
FOXBORO — This isn't so much a playoff rematch as it is a renewal of acquaintances. The Patriots and Texans have made drastic personnel changes since their clash in January.
The Texans have gone to rookie quarterback Deshaun Watson, returned a healthy J.J. Watt and lost high-impact defensive stars A.J. Bouye, Vince Wilfork and Brian Cushing (10-game suspension). The Pats didn't have Rob Gronkowski for the playoffs, added veterans Brandin Cooks, Stephon Gilmore and Mike Gillislee and lost Julian Edelman, Rob Ninkovich and Logan Ryan.
Nevertheless, it's a key early-season showdown. Here are five things to watch:
Quick-strike attack is a must
Tom Brady leadsall quarter backs-in SuperBowlwins(five), AFCOffensive Player oftheWeek honors(28) and tops active QBs foryearson Earth (40). Hehad oneof thebestperformancesof his career lastweek vs. theSaints'woefuldefense — possibly the worst in the NFL. The Texans should be a stiffchallenge for Brady and the banged-upoffense. Facingarelentless pass rush, it'll be importantfor Brady todeliver quick passes,but Brand in Cooks is Brady's onlytruly healthy receiver — and, as one ofthequickestplayers on the field, figures to be a critica lcog today.The performance of the passinggame will setthe tone for future match ups against betterdefenses, especially while they're all workingto overcome injuries.
Protect and swerve
In the opener, theChiefs weremasterfulagainst Brady & Co. inthe defensive backend,while theSaintsdefense looked like thebackend of something else. TheTexanspresent an entirely different challenge thisafternoon. They boast anoutstandinggroupof pass rushers,led by Watt, Whitney MercilusandJadeve on Clowney. MarcusCannon has been the Watt whisperer-over the course of his career, butt he right tackle wasslowed by a concussion duringthe week andis listed asquestionable. Mercilus was awrecking ball when he was kicked inside against DavidAndrews in the divisonalplayoff meeting inJanuary,so expect to see the Texans go backto thatwell untilthe Patsc enter proves hecan stop it. The Texanswillstrugglein coverage,but only if the line gives Bradythetime. Thiswill be as tough of a test for the Patsoffensive line as they'll see all season.
Using whole tool chest
Brady and Josh Mc Daniels gottherunning backs involved in thepassinggame against the Saints ,as James White , Rex Burk head ,Dion Lewis and James D eve lincombined for 13 catches for 143yard sand a touch down .That wasagreat developmentconsideringtheirsilence in the opener , so Tex ans defensivecoordinator MikeV rab el will probably try to takeaway that element . Linebacker Be na rd rick McKinney is solid in coverage and also leads the team with two sacks . Will the Tex ans use him against Gr onk or de vote him to the backfield ? Without Cu shing , the Tex ans rely on rookie linebackers Zach Cunningham and Dylan Cole , and that could be a problem , even with Burk head ( ribs ) out . That will bethe debate for the visitors . If they use McKinneyand a safety on Gr onk , Brady should wearou this backs . Otherwise , G ron k maybe able to takeover.
A `statement game'
Whatever led to Malcolm-Butler's demotionlast week, he must use that asmotivation today.Perhapsitwas fair to make him thethirdcorneragainst theSaints.But if Butler playstohis potential, he won'tgiveBill Belichick achoice.AndStephon Gilmore hasgiven uponlyfourcatches this season, but threehavebeen “chunkplays” — a75-yard TD andcompletions of 42 and 33 yards.The Patriotshave ample defensive talent to playbetterthantheir No.31 ranking suggests, andtheTexansare aslump-busting offense. Watsonhasyet to prove he can cycle past his initialread atan NFL level,and the rookie shouldn'thave anysustainable success against thePats, who haveto make him look like arookie.
The Gronk watch
Gronkowski has recoveredwell from backsurgery andwas at full strength for thefirsttwo games, regardless of how anyone tried tospin his quiet night vs. theChiefs. But then he tweakedhis groin in the thirdquarteragainst the Saints. Gronkindicatedall weekthat he'dplay, saying after the gamethat hewas “good” andMonday that it was “nothingserious.” By thatlogic, Gronk should be fulltilt, right? The Pats needhim to be full tilt allseason without Edelman, andif he can carrythe offense, there's no limit. But ifGronkishampered ordeals with these naggingissuesthroughout the season, that'll obviouslymakeeverythinga whole lot more complicated.SoGronk's mobility with a barking groin will beunderthe microscope.