By: JessLander, YawkeyTalkies Editor.

So, in case you turned off your TV because you assumed the Patriots had it in the bag yesterday, they failed to close, again. Right when we thought they had made up for fumbling on the line for a Houston touchdown with a fourteen-point lead, the Pats defense let the Texans stomp into their territory for three touchdowns and the win (the game-winner coming off of an interception). The final score was 34-27.

Luckily though, the Patriots weren’t the Giants (lost 44-7), the Eagles (lost 24-0, dropping to a Wildcard 6th seed), the Colts (lost 30-7 to the BILLS), or the Bengals (lost 37-0 allowing the Jets in the playoffs) . They also weren’t one of the five AFC teams that had their playoff hopes dashed yesterday. I’m sure the Patriots are also okay enough losing to Houston since they still have a spot in the playoffs and Houston, well doesn’t. The glass can always be half full.

The bigger scare of the day was actually in the first quarter when Wes Welker left the game with an injury. Reports now say that Welker tore both his MCL and ACL in his knee, and is most likely out for the remainder of the season. The Patriots are apparently cursed with losing their best players to blown out knees at the worst moments (Brady had the same injury). This is pretty devastating news for fans, especially when Welker’s return earlier this season after missing the first couple of weeks can be pinned down as the moment Brady finally started connecting again with his receivers. Welker’s performance this season has been supreme with 122 receptions (1st in the league) for 1336 receiving yards. Going into playoffs without him definitely has fans feeling uneasy.

However, some reassurance did come out of yesterday’s game. Julian Edelman replaced Welker in the first quarter and showed what we haven’t seen from him all season. He had a career high of ten receptions for 103 yards. If Edelman can put up those numbers in the playoffs, the Pats might not feel the loss of Welker as much as expected.

Moving forward, the third seeded Pats now face the Baltimore Ravens (9-7) in the first round at home. Thank god, at home. The Patriots have yet to lose at Gillette Stadium, and have barely won anywhere else (only twice this season). The Pats last saw Baltimore on October 4th, where they won 27-21. Close game, but this was also pretty early in the season, when Brady was just getting his groove back. The Ravens are 2-5 away. In their favor is coming off a win, where the Pats are coming off a loss. A more detailed match-up of the teams is to come later this week. But put it in your weekend plans now for Sunday at 1 p.m.

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