Getty ImagesAs the Texans get ready to face the Patriots on Monday Night Football, a player who has been in Houston for all but one year of the franchise’s existence has a fairly strong assessment of the meaning of the game.
“It’s big,” Andre Johnson said, via CSNHouston.com. “You know how big it is, biggest game in the history of this franchise. It’ll be a big test for us and we’ll be ready to go.”
Some would say that last year’s playoff debut, which took a decade to earn, is still bigger. But Johnson apparently thinks that this game is the biggest stepping stone to date on what could be a Super Bowl run.
“I think as long as we keep winning, every game is going to get bigger and bigger,” Johnson said. “When you’ve been somewhere you’ve never been before, everything gets bigger. It’ll be a big game for us. Everybody knows the significance of this game, so just get ready and we’ll be ready Monday night.”
The significance primarily comes from the impact of the outcome on the playoff seeding. A win puts the Texans within striking distance of the No. 1 seed, given that they’d have at least a two-game lead (plus the head-to-head tiebreaker) over the Ravens and Broncos and a three-game lead (plus the head-to-head tiebreaker).
Let’s consider that for a second. If the Texans beat the Pats, Houston will have beaten every other division leader in the AFC this year. If the rematches occur in Reliant Stadium, the Texans could indeed be heading to New Orleans in late January.
Working against the Texans is the fact that the Pats haven’t lost a home game in December since 2002. And it’s a big game for New England, since a win over Houston would put the Patriots withing a game of the Texans for the top seed in the AFC.
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I got my $225 nose bleed seats
And that anticipation you feel right before kickoff has already started here in Houston. Proud to support an organization that does it the right way, even if getting to this point has taken a looooong time.
Remember when Gary Kubiak was coaching for his job a couple years ago?
Personally, I think the Divisional playoff game v Baltimore was the biggest game in franchise history as it’s as close as we’ve ever been to the SB.
As far as the Texans resume… IF they win, they have 1 loss (to a team that went 15-1 last year) and wins over 10-3 Denver, 9-3 Baltimore, 9-3 NE, 8-4 Chicago. I believe all 4 of these teams are in the PFT top 11.
I am a huge Texans fan but I’m a bit worried about our secondary for this one. Nickel is not what we play and not what we do well and we’re going to have to against the spread offense of NE. If Watt and Smith can’t create pressure, Brady will carve us up.
On the other side of the ball though, I think the Texans can score, but as often as Brady….
This will be an epic shootout I think…
Give me Pierre Garçon over Andre anyday.
This game is going to be fun to watch, probably will be the best prime-time game of the year. I think whoever scores first will end up winning. I will be glued to my couch on monday night for this epic matchup
“Working against the Texans is the fact that the Pats haven’t lost a home game in December since 2002. ”
Wow. Even more impressive when you consider they don’t play in a dome. It would be nice to know who are the next best teams in December.
It’s a huge test for the Pats as well. Time to see where the defense stands and how ready we are for a legit SB run. Lets get it on!
Arizona beat the Patriots in Foxboro in week 2 of this year when Gostkowski shanked the game winning field goal. Still, one loss in that time frame is nothng to sneeze at !
azarkhan says:
Dec 7, 2012 11:34 AM
“Working against the Texans is the fact that the Pats haven’t lost a home game in December since 2002. ”
Wow. Even more impressive when you consider they don’t play in a dome. It would be nice to know who are the next best teams in December.
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Not sure if your being sarcastic here but obviously the reason they haven’t lost in December is because they play outdoors in the cold….
The last team to say that to us was the Packers 4 years ago and we beat them at Lambeau in zub zero temps.
I don’t see the weather as an issue. Cold and rainy I think favors the Texans as we have a better run game… Chicago thought cold and rainy was their ace in the hole too.
It is the first Monday Night game that has really intrigued me in a while.
“Wow. Even more impressive when you consider they don’t play in a dome.”
Not that impressive considering they play in cold weather and therefore are used to it. I wouldn’t be surprised if the Green Bays have better December records than the St. Louises (though those franchises’ respective fortunes would have a lot to do with that; the Indianapolises would be a fairer comparison).
The Raiders haven’t lost a home game in December for nearly 24 hours!
weather forcast is not too spot on this time of year, but they are calling for rain and with temps cooling off at night it might make it tough to hold on to the ball. I see a lot short passes for big after the catch yards. Pats are good at that.
God… I can’t wait… Is it monday yet!!!
This will be the best MNF game in a while. I tired of watching meaningless games.
I see the Texans opening up with a big lead at halftime. Then Belichick will start utilizing the game video from the opening 2 qtrs to adjust (cheating) and the Pats will come back and win.
Who wants to dance?
He’s blowing this game out of proportion. This isn’t the Super Bowl. They’re going to psyche themselves out before the game even starts.
Will be interesting to see if BB will defer if the Pats win the coin toss (something he usually does).
For some reason I think he won’t this time, the Pats need to get on the scoreboard early and often to win this one.
GO PATS!!!!
The only reason this game is “historic” from their view point is that the Houston franchise has been largely unsuccessful since its rebirth.
For the Pats this is just another regular season game.
Now it should be an excellent game and a lot of fun, but historic ? Nope.
Really? That’s interesting.
Because most people would consider playoff games their teams played in to be bigger than any regular season game.
To the people saying a cold and rainy game helps the Texans offense with their run game better than NE passing. I guess you have never watched the Pats play in cold wet weather.
Oh yeah here is the Pats run vs Texans run
Pats
Att 401
Yards 1689
YPA 4.2
TD 19
20+ 10
40+2
1st 116
Texans
Att 413
Yards 1710
YPA 4.1
TD 16
20+ 10
40+2
1st 95
So that blows the myth of the Texans having a better running game
wxmanjoe says:Dec 7, 2012 11:46 AM
Arizona beat the Patriots in Foxboro in week 2 of this year when Gostkowski shanked the game winning field goal. Still, one loss in that time frame is nothng to sneeze at !
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They have lost games at home over the years, but they have not lost at home IN DECEMBER since 2002. The second week does not count in that stat.
“Chicago thought cold and rainy was their ace in the hole ”
Don’t go making stuff up now. The Bears can’t run the ball, and bad weather teams love to pound the rock. Forte is a multipurpose back, but not a traditional running back, as in running between the tackles. And Bush is nothing more than a situational rusher. 24 rushes (avg) a game does not make a running team.
Also, it wasn’t that cold. It was 70 during the day, and the overnight low was 42. Do you consider that cold?
Difference in the running game is, the Texans play clock management football and run the ball into 8 adn 9 man fronts ALL THE TIME in the 3rd and 4th qtr.When you’re are up 20 in the 4th qtr the run game production slows to halt because everyone knows you’re running.
The Patriots do what I wish the Texans would do and not take you foot off the gas… ever.
A good battle to watch it the Pats on 3rd down. Pats offense lead the league in 3rd down conversion and Texans D lead the league in 3rd down conversion.
Thumbs up if you believe Pats will win
Thumbs down if you believe Pats will lose
Good luck to both teams Monday Nite!
I hate the overuse of “biggest game in franchise history”. Yes, Monday’s match-up is big and should be entertaining but is it bigger than a playoff game? No, not even close. It is week 14, and both teams will be entering the playoffs regardless of who wins and loses. People need to calm down on the hyperbole.
8to80texansblog says: Not sure if your being sarcastic
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Not at all, but I do give more credit to teams that are consistently good over a long period of time in cold weather than teams that play in a dome or in a place like San Diego. It is undeniable that it is more difficult to play well and win in bad weather than in a dome.
illogicalvoice
garcon over andre? lmao
lets take a vote:
thumbs up Texans win
Thumbs down pats win.
Go Texans!
Happy to see Texans fans have something legitimate to root for after all of those years getting torched by Peyton, but I just don’t trust Shaub in a big game over Brady.
And, while both teams have injuries, I think the outcome of this game either way isn’t a true representation of what could happen in the playoffs once the Pats get Gronk back and Houston gets Reed and a healthy Joesph back as well. Can’t wait for Monday!
Should be a great game. Whoever scores most will win.
All teams get amped up when they play The Patriots because they know they’re going against the best team in the last decade and a win adds a lot to their legacy.
I love it when the primetime games really mean something.
The Pats will show the Texans true colors. No chance.
Pats hater here.
At the beginning of the season, I penciled this game as a loss. I almost think the Texans need to lose this game though. Then the last 3 games are of vital importance, keeps the edge sharp going into the playoffs.
Drew Bledsoe comes in for a hurt Brady and throws three sidearm touchdowns.
I can’t wait to watch MNF to see where the Steelers will be playing the AFC Championship game this year!
What’s funny is ESPN the Magazine’s NFL preview projected this game as a tie.
13 weeks into the season and it is still a toss up.
Go Pats!
I like watching the Texans play. They’ve got some funny dudes on their team like Antonio Smith, Watt and Cody too. If my Pats can’t win it all I’ll root for them.
That said, this game is much more important to the Pats than it is to the Texans as far as seeding because Hou has a 2 game lead on everyone so let’s see if the Pats can get it done.
Traditionally my Pats, even when they had a dominant defense, struggles with that Kubiak/Shanahan style offense, so that worries me.
8to80texansblog says: Dec 7, 2012 11:46 AM
azarkhan says:
Dec 7, 2012 11:34 AM
“Working against the Texans is the fact that the Pats haven’t lost a home game in December since 2002. ”
Wow. Even more impressive when you consider they don’t play in a dome. It would be nice to know who are the next best teams in December.
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Not sure if your being sarcastic here but obviously the reason they haven’t lost in December is because they play outdoors in the cold….
The last team to say that to us was the Packers 4 years ago and we beat them at Lambeau in zub zero temps.
I don’t see the weather as an issue. Cold and rainy I think favors the Texans as we have a better run game… Chicago thought cold and rainy was their ace in the hole too.
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Really? He’s saying it’s impressive and he’d like to see who the next in line is. Simple. No need to beat your flabby chest to the rest of us. It’ll hopefully be a good game either way.
Watt will happen…
I would be more impressed if they were in a Dome to be honest. To go undefeated at home in a certain month for 10 straight years in a climate controlled environment that gives no team a weather advantage. That would be very impressive.
The weather can be such a major factor and the Pats are obviously used to it and well suited to it. You can’t simulate cold and snow if you’re in Miami.
**** Even with the weather advantage… It’s still very impressive.
Hopefully, Gruden will have laryngitis so he can’t talk so we can enjoy the game.
8to80texansblog says:
I would be more impressed if they were in a Dome to be honest.
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Stats are funny like that. They don’t try to impress you. They are what they are. You are coming to Foxboro, which is usually FRIGID right now, making it an interesting factor for your incoming Texans.
However, it’s going to be 60 on Monday, so rest easy little buddy. No more disparaging is necessary.
The Pats play against the other teams “biggest game of the year” pretty much every week since 2003.
Probably the game of the year so far, can’t wait
It’s an important game only for the AFC. So, how is this “historic”????
@rushmatic
How am I disparaging anyone? Because I said it would be more impressive if a team eliminated an obvious advantage and was still able to win??
If you’ve read any of my posts, you know that I have great respect for Tom Brady and the Pats and fully expect him to carve up our defense.
So settle down there little fella…
As a pats fan I want us to beat the breaks off the texans…. that being said they’re a great team , and I see it being a good game …. never thought id like another team always been a pats and 49er fan but def like the way houston plays ball
If the Texans win, they should be the favorite to win the Superbowl. Beating the Pats in Foxboro combined with tough road wins at Denver and Chicago, along with destroying Baltimore, should prove to people that the Texans are for real. Should be a great game and I hope the Texans come our injury free.