This game has been circled by both teams since the schedule was released. While Butchie and I always saw this season’s schedule as tougher than most writers, at least they admitted that this Texans matchup was going to be a serious test for Brady and company.  But I am not as concerned now as I was way back when. And here are my Keys as to why and how the Pats need to play to beat the Texicans

Get out early: On Defense, how do you get out early on defense you ask? Good question -- You guys ask a lot of good questions. The Pats are not going to force Kubiak out of his run-first game plan with seven or ten points. What they can do is force him into reacting to second & third and long situations. This Texas team is built to get yardage on every play.  When you shake them up on early downs and make them earn firsts they have a serious problem converting those third and seven plus yard plays. The Pats line has to control the trench and allow the Linebackers to read and react to Houston’s running attack and stuff it for no gain and short yardage. Force the Texans to pass protect early and often.

Find JJ Watt: and run at him until he is dizzy. Pound at him, pound at him, and pound at him some more. Midway thru the first quarter, the Pats want him thinking every play is going to be a Patriot Running back in his face working for 3 yards. Keep his freaky arms pumping so he takes a big bite on play action and not swatting Tom Brady passes.

Control the Pocket: push the Houston pass rush out and around the pocket. Force them to come back up field to find Brady. Green Bay did exactly this back in week six and Aaron (Discount Double Choke) Rodgers torched this secondary for 338 yards and SIX touchdowns. Not to mention the twelve hundred yards and six scores Houstn hass allowed over the past three.

Turnovers: when this team has to throw they make mistakes. Schaub has tossed five picks in the last four games. Blanket Andre Johnson, and make Matt pay when he checks down to his second and third option - both being Owen Daniels. On the other side of the ball it this is a Defense that has been as opportunistic as the Patriots. Over those same four games they have forced seven fumbles and have five picks of their own. In short -- take care of the ball.

This will be the Texans third straight road game and forth of their last five. They have had to battle down to the wire in all of them. Even with the extra day of rest this team is road weary. Like I said up top I was worried when I saw this game on the schedule, but after watching this team all year I know they can be had.

Pats 34 -- Texans 24