Hours Before Kickoff: Week 17

Is it better to rest players for the playoffs or play the final game to stay sharp? This has been heavily debated since Indianapolis Colts head coach Jim Caldwell withdrew his starters during the third quarter of last week’s game.

Naturally the discussion spreads to the teams with a playoff spot secured. New England is in this category as they have a Wild Card locked up. There are a dozen players on this week’s injury report. Fortunately only DLs Ty Warren and Vince Wilfork are questionable for the season finale.

Assuming head coach Bill Belichick plays it safe, Warren and Wilfork will be held out of the season finale against Houston. After that, it’s a case by case basis.

Quarterback Tom Brady said he will play and I hope every able bodied player joins him on the field. It looks like the Patriots right now are playing great football on both sides of the ball heading into the playoffs. It’s encouraging and they should keep the momentum, if not build on it.

I’m not completely sold on the performances in the last two weeks. These were wins over Buffalo and Jacksonville, two teams with problems. The Pats were supposed to easily defeat those teams. Heck, they had a little more trouble with the Bills than expected. Nothing can be more important than reinforcing the fundamentals in the finale to make sure the team is playing cohesively heading into the playoffs.

A better test of how well the team is playing is competing against Houston’s prolific offense. The pass rush and secondary were great the past two weeks. Some say CB Shawn Springs and SS James Sanders in the starting lineup has solidified the secondary. The best way to know for sure is seeing how they fare against a top-five offense. If the defense can keep QB Matt Schaub under control and contain WR Andre Johnson, then we know for sure if the defense really is playing better.

The offense always has something to improve on. They could put special attention on receivers other than Moss and Welker. In the last two weeks out of 34 completions, eight were caught by someone other than Moss and Welker. Take away the contributions from the running backs, and the receivers and tight ends combined for just five receptions.

Teams figured out ways to take away Moss and Welker from Brady. There are two ways to counter that: run the ball, which has improved, or for the other receivers to consistently get open, which clearly still needs work.

Also at stake is home field in the opening round. If the Patriots win, they host an opening round game. If they lose, Cincinnati, which plays at 8:30 tonight, could earn a home playoff game with a win and a Patriots loss.

Home field is important considering the Patriots were perfect at home while 1-5 in opposing stadiums. Winning in Houston would be a good confidence boost for a team that squandered four very winnable road losses.

A few things I’m looking for:

Two Hands, Maroney: Laurence was benched for fumbling the ball on the goal line. If he gets extensive work, he better hold on to the ball at all costs.

Slot Trouble: Third receiver Jacoby Jones averages 16.9 yards per catch and has five TDs, tied for second on the team. New England needs to keep a close eye on him.

Versatility Rewarded: If LB Mike Vrabel can catch eight touchdowns playing goal line TE, then I want to see OG/FB Dan Connolly either thrown the ball or get a carry.

I said after DL Richard Seymour was traded that the Patriots would win eleven games. I’m sticking to my guns as a home playoff game is deemed too valuable to pass up.