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Patriots-Texans Preview

Dec 30, 2009 - 11:23 PM By MIKE LIPKA STATS Writer

The Houston Texans need a win and help to earn the first playoff berth in franchise history, but they're happy to at least have something to play for in Week 17 for the first time in their eight seasons.

The New England Patriots, meanwhile, are happy their regular-season finale is relatively meaningless, and some of their banged-up starters will likely get some rest as they tune up for the playoffs Sunday at Houston.

The odds are still against the Texans completing their push to make the postseason, hampered by four straight losses by a combined 19 points from Nov. 8-Dec. 6. But Houston has at least given itself a chance by winning its last three games, including last Sunday's 27-20 victory at Miami.

To advance, the Texans (8-7) need to beat New England and get losses from two of three teams - Baltimore, Denver and the New York Jets. The Ravens face Oakland and the Broncos host Kansas City, matchups that seemingly put a damper on Houston's prospects.

But coach Gary Kubiak is still happy with his team, which can secure its first winning season by defeating the Patriots.

"We're going to have to beat the top franchise in football to get to that point," Kubiak said. "So it's a great challenge for us as coaches, as players, and I think that's the way it's supposed to be. If we want to get there some day, these are the types of people we've got to be able to compete against."

Houston certainly responded well to its latest challenge, racing to a 27-0 lead before holding off the Dolphins' comeback bid. Matt Schaub threw for 286 yards and two touchdowns, including one to Pro Bowl wide receiver Andre Johnson.

The duo has formed the league's most prolific combination this season. Schaub leads the NFL with a career-high 4,467 passing yards, while Johnson has a league-best 1,504 receiving.

"That's why we're here - to take this franchise to the next level," Schaub said. "All we can do is control what we do, and that's what we did (against Miami)."

Schaub will try to pick apart a New England pass defense that has shown major improvement in recent weeks. After allowing nearly 700 combined passing yards in back-to-back losses to New Orleans and Miami just after Thanksgiving, the Patriots have held opponents to an average of 164.0 passing yards during a three-game winning streak.

New England (10-5) missed the playoffs last year, but it locked up the team's seventh AFC East title this decade with a 35-7 blowout of Jacksonville last Sunday.

Tom Brady threw four touchdown passes, including three to Randy Moss, and the Patriots looked more like the team that went 16-0 in 2007 than the one that has struggled with inconsistency this season.

"It's the time of year where we really need to start playing good football," Brady said, "and I think (Sunday) was one of our best 60 minutes that we played all year."

While the Patriots could end up with either the No. 3 or No. 4 seed in the AFC, their first-round opponent in either position is still to be determined, with the Texans even a possibility. That means New England can gain little from a victory, giving coach Bill Belichick the option to limit his starters' playing time.

"I do what's best for our football team," Belichick said. "That's my philosophy."

Most likely to spend some or all of the game on the bench are injured defensive linemen Vince Wilfork and Ty Warren - and perhaps Brady, who has dealt with rib, finger and shoulder problems. Belichick remained cryptic about his plans.

"Whoever plays, plays," the coach said. "Whoever doesn't play, doesn't play."

If Brady does play, he'll see an all-too-familiar face on the other side of the ball. The 2007 NFL MVP missed nearly all of 2008 after a major injury to his left knee that came on a hit by then-Kansas City safety Bernard Pollard.

Pollard was cut by the Chiefs earlier this season and has started the last 12 games for Houston.

"He's given us some stability back there," Kubiak said of Pollard. "He's given us a physical nature back there as far as playing in the box and doing those things, so we've been very pleased with him."

The Texans had three defenders named to the AFC's Pro Bowl squad, including linebackers Brian Cushing and DeMeco Ryans. The third was defensive end Mario Williams, but Kubiak said the No. 1 overall draft pick in 2006 "needs to factor more in the game" after he didn't record a tackle against the Dolphins.

The Patriots have won both previous meetings with Houston, but their last visit to Reliant Stadium was more memorable. New England beat Carolina 32-29 there in Super Bowl XXXVIII on Feb. 1, 2004.

The Patriots are 1-5 this season on the road, where they'll have to play in the divisional round if they win their playoff opener.

Houston is 3-4 at home.