What to Like
1. Although quarterback Tom Brady didn't light the world on fire with a statistical explosion during Sunday's setback in Houston, he has been more efficient in the last two weeks. Brady has completed 40 of 52 passes (76.9 percent) for 453 yards, four touchdowns and one interception in the last two games, and he has hit seven different receivers in each of those contests. The offense has become much more balanced in the last month, and that is also important for the passing attack, which is more effective when Brady spreads the wealth and favors the shorter, low-risk gains over the home-run balls.
2. Speaking of balance, the Patriots are getting just that from their running backs. They didn't get the same production Sunday that they have in recent weeks, but that's likely because the Patriots preferred to figure out their passing game without Wes Welker than stick to the ground attack. Fred Taylor was the beneficiary in the backfield against the Texans, getting seven carries for 33 yards and two touchdowns, and the Patriots combined to rush 19 times for 74 yards and two scores. New England entered Sunday ranked 11th in the NFL in rushing yards with 123.1 yards per game, and the team has averaged 141.3 rushing yards per game over the last four weeks.
3. Sunday was the first time since Week 5 the Patriots have had each of their top-six offensive linemen — left tackle Matt Light, left guard Logan Mankins, center Dan Koppen, right guard Stephen Neal, right tackle Nick Kaczur and tackle Sebastian Vollmer — healthy for the same game. The offensive line has performed at a very high level all season, but the unit has been even better late in the year. Brady was sacked once Sunday, which marked the first time he had been sacked since the Patriots' loss to New Orleans. Brady will need the front line to continue its dominance in the playoffs because the hot reads and check-downs will suffer without Welker, and the quarterback will need as much time as possible to read the defense.
4. The Patriots' pass rush is by no means perfect, but at least it's gaining some steam. Derrick Burgess recorded New England's lone sack against the Texans, but the Patriots did an above-average job of penetrating the backfield and forcing Texans quarterback Matt Schaub to make quicker throws. Burgess has been playing better in recent weeks, and Tully Banta-Cain is continuing to find himself near the quarterback, too. Since the pass rush laid a huge dud on Dec. 6 in Miami, the Patriots have registered 11 sacks in the last four weeks, and they've been without defensive lineman Vince Wilfork for the last three games.
What Not to Like
1. Obviously, the loss of Welker is a devastating blow to the Patriots offense. After suffering a brutal left knee injury Sunday, there's little reason to believe Welker will return for the playoffs, and that completely changes the shape of the Patriots passing attack. Without Welker, the Patriots need guys like tight end Ben Watson and wide receiver Julian Edelman to really get it going, and the coaching staff should draw up more passing plays for the running backs, as well. Edelman was great Sunday with 10 receptions for 103 yards. He's got an impressive physical ability, but it'll be a must for the rookie to stay in sync with Brady while reading defensive coverages.
2. Once again Sunday, the Patriots looked like they were well on their way to a road victory, but they blew their fourth double-digit lead in the second half this season. After building a 27-13 lead in Houston, the Patriots surrendered three touchdowns in the final 10 minutes of the game, and Brady's interception helped Houston's comeback cause.
The Patriots have been especially bad in the second half of their six road losses, and the most glaring statistic is on third down. New England misfired on all three of its second-half, third-down conversions Sunday and is 7 of 31 (22.6 percent) on third down in the second half of its six losses this season. Meanwhile, the Patriots are 22 of 45 (48.9 percent) on third down in the first half of those games.
The Pats open the postseason at home next weekend, and if they win, they'll travel to Indianapolis or San Diego for the divisional round. If the Patriots want to reserve a spot in the Super Bowl, they'll have to buck every trend they've set on the road this season.
