New England Patriots: Season and Game-by-Game Predictions

Week 12 vs. Denver Broncos:

Another year, another Tom Brady versus Peyton Manning spectacle, this time on a fall day in November. Add in the Wes Welker factor, and this primetime Sunday night game has all the trappings of the postseason in week twelve of the NFL season. This will be an important game for playoff seeding purposes.  In the end, the game comes down to the Patriots stopping the Broncos’ best player: no, not Peyton Manning, but linebacker Von Miller. It should be a close game, but in the end quarterback Tom Brady to rise to the challenge and pick apart the Denver defense enough to pull out a close win.

Prediction: Patriots 31 – Denver 30 Record: 9-2.

Aug 25, 2013; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Texans running back Ben Tate (44) attempts to elude New Orleans Saints linebacker Curtis Lofton (50) at Reliant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Week 13 at Houston Texans:

After winning their AFC Championship game preview against the Broncos, the Patriots have to go on the road to face the Houston Texans in the biggest game of the season for the Texans. Last season, the Patriots decimated Houston twice, and following their tough victory against Denver, the Patriots are due for a letdown. That said, the Texans are a good team and should be motivated not just to take it to their nemesis, but they are likely to be locked in a battle with quarterback Andrew Luck and the Indianapolis Colts for the top spot in the AFC South. Expect a big game from running back Ben Tate (running back Arian Foster is being run into the ground and may not make it through the season).

Prediction: Patriots 31 – Houston 34 Record: 9-3.