Thomas Campbell-USA TODAY Sports
At the start of the 2013 season, most people assumed that the New England Patriots‘ biggest competition in the AFC, besides the Denver Broncos since Wes Welker has been added to their offense, would be the Houston Texans. Fast forward to week 7 and it is clear that the Texans are not the team that many thought they would be.
They have had major issues offensively, mostly due to ineffective play by quarterback Matt Schaub and nagging injuries to WR Andre Johnson, and their defense has been lackluster as well.
Related: Kansas City Chiefs: Have Houston Texans Fans Seen Cool Hand Luke?
Most thought that the Ed Reed signing would put the team over the top on defense, but he has turned out not to be worth the hype he attracted when he was brought in.
All of this turmoil in Houston has greatly benefited the Patriots. As of now, with the Texans’ record at 2-4, a team that many expected to be a major threat to the Patriots in the playoffs may miss the playoffs entirely. This obviously would give the Patriots one less contender to go through in the AFC.
Given that the only real threats to the team are now the Broncos, Kansas City Chiefs, Indianapolis Colts and Cincinnati Bengals, the Patriots are sitting pretty right now in the playoff picture.
The No. 1 seed in the AFC playoffs may ultimately come down to Denver and New England, and it is all thanks to the dysfunction currently going on in Houston.
Will Gellman is a New England Patriots Writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @Will_Gellman, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google.
