Behind Enemy Lines – Week 17 (Part 1)

Time for the final Behind Enemy Lines segment of the season. With playoff hopes at stake for the Texans and Playoff positioning at stake for the Patriots, this is sure to be a fun one.

To get a further look into whats happening in Patriots world, you have to look no further than Patriots Daily. Bruce Allen, the publisher and co-founder, took a few minutes out of his day to help me analyze the upcoming season finale between our two clubs.

Welcome in, Bruce. Happy to have you. Let’s get right down down to it:

DMWT: I don’t pretend to understand how all these tiebreaker scenarios work, but I have been told that the Pats have a chance to clinch the third seed over the Bengals this Sunday. Will this be a factor on how much playing time Coach Belichick allows his starters to play?

PD: I don’t think much at all. I really don’t think the Patriots mind if they’re the 3 or 4 seed at this point. I think they’ll play the starters Sunday and try to win the game, as they picked up some nice momentum the last couple of weeks, and it would be nice to keep it going. At the same time I expect some veterans to get some rest on Sunday. Guys like Vince Wilfork and Ty Warren might be held out to get them healthy for the following week. I think you’ll see some of rookie QB Brian Hoyer on Sunday, perhaps a lot of him, as Brady has really been banged up the last few weeks. In general, I don’t see the Patriots just flat out resting anyone who is reasonably healthy, but those who are banged up and could use an extra week to heal will see little to no playing time.

A "Reputation Pick" is hard to argue. I mean, do you seriously know anyone who doesn't know who Tom Brady is? Really?

DMWT: There are many pundits this morning that are saying that Houston QB Matt Schaub got hosed by not being a 2010 Pro Bowl selection. Looking at the numbers, it is hard to argue Tom Brady over Matt Schaub for THIS SEASON. What is your view on this debate?

PD: I’d say it was a reputation pick, and given who Brady is, I think you have to swallow that. It was clear that the guys on the NFL Network, Marshall Faulk and Warren Sapp in particular, agree with you. They could be heard groaning and saying “oh, man!” after Brady was announced. The good news for Schaub is that I think he will end up in the Pro Bowl, as I think one of either Peyton Manning, Philip Rivers or Brady will be playing in the Super Bowl and open up that roster spot for Schaub. It also seems that traditionally, the QB spot has usually gone to a players on top teams above the guys with good numbers on bad or mediocre teams. Schaub might’ve been done in by the struggles of his team at times.

Is Moss treated unfairly by the media? "Patriots Daily" says YES. Not hard to believe, really.

DMWT: Is all the drama and turmoil that Randy Moss is supposedly creating within the team legit? Or is it just ESPN looking for a story, as always?

PD: Total media creation. I shouldn’t be, but I’m always shocked at how much the media has it out for this guy. Moss is certainly not causing any locker room or morale issues, his coaches and teammates love the guy and take any opportunity to praise him and what he does in the locker room with the team. The team has a weekly TV show “Patriots All Access” and each week they show the scene in the locker room immediately following the game. More often than not, Moss is right there, leading the team chant, and kidding with guys about things in the game. He’s been nothing but a great teammate since he got here.

DMWT: New England has seemingly struggled on the road this season. Is that a legit concern heading into the playoffs? And do you think that is a factor in this Sundays game in Houston?

PD: Well, this is sort of an unusual game. As mentioned before, I think they’re going to try and win the game, but will sit anyone who is injured and needs time to heal. In the larger picture, the struggles on the road are definitely a concern. They’ve been close (OT loss in Denver, 1 pt loss in Indy, 1 pt loss in Miami) but haven’t been able to get over the hump. I think they’d like to get that second straight road win, and get some more confidence heading into the postseason.

DMWT: How does arguably the most well run team for the last decade view a team like Houston which has struggled to get over the hump of mediocrity? Do they view Houston as an upcoming team or just the “Same old Texans.”?

PD: I think the Texans are viewed as a team learning to put it together. I think of it as how San Diego was for a number of years…great talent, but they just couldn’t seem to “get it” and put it all together for an entire season. It might take a coaching change, but I think the Texans have so much talent that at some point they’re going to be a really good team. It takes time for good teams to develop. Be patient.

Part 2, where I answer some of Bruce’s questions, is on the way. Check back soon.

Tags: Bill Belichick, Brian Hoyer, Cincinnati Bengals, Denver Broncos, Indianapolis Colts, Marshall Faulk, Matt Schaub, Miami Dolphins, New England Patriots, Peyton Manning, Philip Rivers, Randy Moss, San Diego Chargers, Tom Brady, Ty Warren, Vince Wilfork, Warren Sapp