The New England Patriots and Houston Texans were the only teams in the NFL playoffs last week to win by multiple scores. And yet, heading into their divisional round clash at Gillette Stadium on Sunday,
fans see a close contest.
As the latest results of our SB Nation Reacts survey show, 58% of fans see a one-possession game unfolding. Overall, 48% of Patriots fans believe the team will win — a slightly higher number than the 51% who voted for Mike Vrabel’s team in our national survey.
CPelkey0203
Less than a TD and Bills in Foxborough is what I’m thinkingMayeDAY
The Texas has a really good defense but if the Patriots take better care of the ball i think they can put up more points than last week.
I want the ACFCG at home in Foxboro.tanglewood
The Patriots better tune up their screen pass plays, draws and chip blocking to try and stop the relentless pass rush of the Texans. The Steelers just gave up: are they that bad?
I’m a Pats fan but I don’t see how they can win. The Texans offense looked pretty good as well in that game.HalfandHalf
As Stefon Diggs says, “I like us.”
Objectively, I think the Broncos are an easier match up, but if the Broncos beat the Bills, that says something to me and makes me view that differently.
I’ll take any AFC Championship game that involves the Patriots and I wouldn’t mind a rubber match with the Bills.RJB33
I’ve made no secret of the fact that I don’t really like our chances against the Texans. I’m not a betting man, so I don’t pretend to know what goes into setting odds, but I really can’t believe the line favors the Pats. Seems to me it should be more like Houston -5.5.
(No, that’s not betting advice. Never take betting advice from me, I have no idea what I’m talking about.)
All in all, this week’s survey results look as follows:
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The second question asked was already answered on the field on Saturday. Only 26% of fans would get their wish should the Patriots advance to the AFC Championship Game: the top-seeded Denver Broncos beat the Buffalo Bills 33-30 in overtime and have earned the right to host the winner of Sunday’s Patriots-Texans game at Mile High. Of course, they will have to do so without starting quarterback Bo Nix, who suffered a season-ending ankle injury late in the game.
After opening as 2.5-point favorites over the Texans, the line has shifted further in the Patriots’ favor. As of Sunday morning, they are 3.5-point favorites to advance to the AFC Championship Game.
