takingit2thehouse.com

Arian Foster and the Texans take on the New England Patriots, in perhaps the most monumental game in Houston’s franchise history, with significant implications in the race for Home Field Advantage in the AFC.

The playoff races are gaining clarity in both the AFC and NFC as the season rounds into it’s home stretch. Sunday features plenty of marquee and rivalry games that aren’t to be missed. 

Dallas Cowboys at Cincinnati Bengals
Last Sunday in Dallas, Tony Romo entered the Cowboys record book surpassing Hall of Famer Troy Aikman for most touchdown passes in a Cowboys uniform with 168. The Cowboys, at 6-4, still have a chance at both the NFC East title and the wild card. For the Bengals, ben Jarvus Green-Ellis can become the first Cincinnati running back to rush for 100 + yards in four straight games since Paul Robinson accomplished the feat in 1968. The Bengals with a win combined with a Ravens loss can pull within one game of the AFC North lead.

Kanas City Chiefs at Cleveland Browns
In the wake of the Jovan Belcher murder/suicide, the Chiefs, played inspired football in a win over the Panthers at Arrowhead last week. Brady Quinn led the charges with a 132.1 quarterback rating and a career best 82.6 completion percentage against the Panthers. Meanwhile, Cleveland is riding a two game winning streak and Brandon Weeden posted a career best 364 yards during his third 300-yard passing game of the season. Both of these teams are in the running for the top pick in the draft.

Baltimore Ravens at Washington Redskins
The Battle of The Beltway renews in Landover between a Ravens team clinging to a lead in the AFC North and a Redskins squad that is riding the momentum of three straight NFC East wins behind the electrifying play of rookie quarterback Robert Griffin III. A win gives Joe Flacco and the the Ravens their third consecutive season with ten or more wins, while the Ravens signal caller owns a 12-6 career record against the NFC. In a rookie season defined by stout quarterback play, Alfred Morris is running wild for the Skins, leading all rookie backs with 1,106 yards and has eclipsed 75+ rushing yards in 10 of his first 12 games.

New Orleans Saints at New York Giants
This is the ultimate bounce back game for two teams that desperately need the win for playoff positioning. After falling to the Redskins on Monday night and watching the Cowboys top the Eagles last week, the Giants lead in the NFC East is a tenuous one game over Washington. Meanwhile, the Saints fell to the Falcons last Thursday night and need a win to keep pace in the NFC Wild Card hunt. Drew Brees had his consecutive games with a touchdown pass streak snapped against Atlanta but is a perfect 4-0 in his career against the Giants. Meanwhile, for New York, Ahmad Bradshaw could be a focal point having rushed for a touchdown in three of his past four games at home.

Houston Texans at New England Patriots
With three games remaining, the Houston Texans 11 wins already represents the most in franchise history and enter New England with an unblemished 6-0 road record. This game represents arguably the biggest test for both teams this season as the playoff picture gains clarity in the season’s final weeks. Last week the Patriots clinched the AFC East for the tenth time in Tom Brady’s career, making him the first quarterback in league history to accomplish that feat. For Houston, Arian Foster goes his third straight season with more than 1,200 rushing yard season.

Matt Lombardo is the Lead Writer and Eagles Beat Reporter for Taking It To The House. To Contact or interview Matt, email him at mdlombardo@yahoo.com . Follow Matt on Twitter @MattLombardo975