Texans vs. Patriots 2013, NFL Playoffs: New England rides offense back to AFC Championship

In some ways it worked. Brady went 0-for-5 on his passes when he was pressured by the Texans defense. But on blitz plays, Brady averaged 10.8 yards per attempt. All three touchdown passes Brady threw Sunday came while the Texans sent extra men.

In preparation for both games against the Texans, the Patriots simulated J.J. Watt’s wingspan by holding up racquetball racquets on the defensive line. It was a strategy that Brady didn’t like to compete against in practice, but apparently it all worked out for the best.

Needless to say, it’s a blow to New England’s Super Bowl chances. In just 11 games this season, Gronkowski caught 55 passes for 790 yards and 11 touchdowns, and once again, was an excellent blocker.

But just how big of a blow is it?

A year before that, in 2010, the Ravens got the best of the Patriots, sending them home in the Wild Card round.

The Ravens are one of only a few teams that have been able to make the Patriots look mortal on the playing field. When these two line up against one another, it’s anyone’s game. And there is no doubt that they have some business to settle after the way this year’s regular season match-up ended.

Fast forward to the second quarter. The Patriots line up in 12 personnel for first-and-goal from the Texans 8-yard line. Vereen broke out into the flat out of the backfield, standing wide open without a defender in sight. Brady quickly targeted him, and it was clear sailing into the end zone for his second score.

Vereen finished the night with seven carries and five receptions for a total of 124 yards. Three touchdowns and 124 yards on 12 touches. It’s almost like someone was playing with Vereen in Madden to post those gaudy statistics.

The Patriots defeated the Texans 41-28 on Sunday evening, remaining in control the majority of the way. Once again Tom Brady led his squad to another postseason victory, something New England fans have grown accustomed over the past decade, but this win was special.

After besting Houston, Brady became the all-time leader in playoff wins for a quarterback, breaking his tie with Joe Montana. Brady now sits on 17 postseason wins in his illustrious NFL career, his first dating back to 2001.

Shane Graham hit 55-yard field goal, the longest postseason shot at Gillette Stadium, to send the Texans into the locker room at the half trailing by only four points. It wouldn’t stay close for very long.

Houston managed to make it closer on the score board with a pair of fourth quarter touchdowns. At that point, however, the margin was a mere formality for bettors and a few Texans fans clinging to hope.

The Patriots haven’t really missed Gronkowski against the Texans, but his loss is a huge blow to the offense. In 11 games this season, Gronkowski had 55 catches for 790 yards and 11 touchdowns. He didn’t catch a pass in the game against the Texans.

It’s the playoffs!

New England inactives:

It’s just not that time yet.

There are plenty of reasons why the Patriots could win their fourth Super Bowl of the 21st century. Here are a few.

Sunday , Jan. 13, 4:30 p.m. ET

Gillette Stadium, Foxboro, Mass.

Like his quarterback, Belichick can also inch closer to setting his own all-time playoff record this weekend. Belichick currently owns a 17-7 playoff record -- tied with Joe Gibbs for third all-time. Belichick trails only Don Shula and Tom Landry for playoff wins -- and if the Patriots can manage to win Super Bowl XLVII, Belichick will tie Landry for most all-time with 20.

Brady’s long-time nemesis Peyton Manning will also close in on playoff milestones this weekend. Manning currently ranks third all-time with 5,389 postseason yards. Like Brady, Manning trails both Montana (5,772) and Favre (5,855) for first all-time. Barring a complete shredding of Baltimore’s secondary this weekend, Manning will have to wait at least another playoff game to set history.

The New England Patriots have won each of their last three games against the Houston Texans both SU and ATS, and will try to make it four straight wins when they host the Texans at Gillette Stadium this Sunday.

New England was a 9.5-point favorite as of midweek at most sportsbooks tracked by OddsShark.com as bettors remember the recent thrashing of the Texans by Tom Brady’s troops in December.

For all the odds on this week’s NFL games and all kinds of other sports, check out OddsShark. For more on the Texans, head to Battle Red Blog, and for more on the Patriots, go to Pats Pulpit.

The Patriots are looking to recreate the results of their Week 14 win over the Texans at home, while Houston is looking to get firing on all cylinders to propel themselves to their first AFC Championship game.