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Bill O'Brien: Huge point spread not in Texans' motivational plans

The top-seeded New England Patriots have been installed as 16-point favorites by Las Vegas sports books over the Texans for an AFC divisional-round playoff game Saturday. That's a huge number.

It's the largest point spread in the NFL playoffs since the 1998 Minnesota Vikings were favored by 16 points over the Arizona Cardinals in a divisional-round game.

The point spread isn't much of a surprise considering the Texans were blown out, 27-0, earlier this season when the Patriots had rookie Jacoby Brissett under center and star quarterback Tom Brady was suspended for the Deflategate scandal.

Plus, the Patriots have won their last five games in a row over the Texans and have outscored the Texans 54-6 in two games over the past two seasons.