That’s a significant date in the shared history between the New England Patriots and the Houston Texans franchises. It was on that particular date that Bill Belichick, Tom Brady, and the 10-5 Patriots ventured south to take on Bill O’Brien, Matt Schaub, and the 8-7 Texans.
New England, playing for postseason seeding but assured of their playoff berth, decided to rest several key team members like Vince Wilfork, Ty Warren, Leigh Bodden, Laurence Maroney, and Kevin Faulk.
They did not rest Wes Welker, who memorably went down to the turf during the Pats’ opening drive with a non-contact injury.