This past Thursday night, Japanese pitcher import for the Red Sox Daisuke "Dice K" Matsuzka dropped the puck at the start of the Bruins Game and the Bruins beat up on the Devils 5-3.

On Saturday afternoon during our radio broadcast (Krashing in on the Big Field heard on WBET 1460 AM), I predicted that Dice K would probably be at the Pats game for the coin toss, so on Sunday after entering the stadium my search for the import was on, and I found him.

Daisuke and his wife Tomoyo were standing on the sidelines with Bob Kraft and a boatload of press and camera, and as Dice K bowed and greeted several people along the Patriots sideline some fans began to chant his name. Unfortunately, the field's camera crew didn't get this scene to put on the big screen to get the crowd going, but it was enough for the players to see. After this Sunday, Matsuka is already 2-0 in the Boston sports scene.

Last Sunday the Patriots failed in getting the "Dolphin Stadium" monkey off their backs getting shutout and flying home with their tails between their legs. Now for those of you who want to beat up QB Tom Brady, and say the Dolphins are in his head really don't know the history of this team down in Florida. Dolphin Stadium/Pro Player Stadium/Joe Robbie Stadium has been a thorn in the Patriots side over several years not to mention the fact that the Pats usually split with the Fins almost every season.

So this Sunday, the Houston Texans come to town, with key players (NT Vince Wilfork, RB Laurence Maroney, S Rodney Harrison) out for the game. You would think after last week's game HC Gary Kubiak would come in and run the ball right at NT Mike Wright, (4t 1s) a young guy that has spent his two years in the league as backup to the solid Wilfork.

Instead of attacking the middle, on the first play, the Texans run to the outside and get trounced. Then, on the same drive, instead of punting on fourth down backed up in their own territory, Kubiak opts to go for the conversion and the Pats obliterate the Texans giving them the ball in Texans territory, which they quickly put into the end zone on RB Kevin Faulk's (4c for 22 1 TD/2r for 46 1 TD) 11 yard rushing TD shortly after RB Corey Dillon's (20c for 61 yds) 15 yard stomp put them in the position to score.

On the Texans next drive the D-line is clearly beating the Texans O-line, and DE Richard Seymour (2t 1int) gets a hand up to tip QB David Carr's (16 of 28 127 yds 4 int) in the air, and makes a quick spin move catching the ball for the pick giving the Pats possession on the Texans 24. After an offensive penalty the Pats settle for a 36 yard FG from K Steven Gostkowski (4 for 4) field goal that would end up being the first of four for the day.

Next drive Carr drills of a 27 yard reception to WR Eric Moulds (4 for 26), but a quick four plays later LB Tedy Bruschi (10t) tips a pass that DB James Sanders (5t 1 int) cuts midfield and pulls it down taking it to the Texans 44 yard line. On the Pats possession QB Brady passes to RB Faulk for the 43 yard TD, and impressive run by Faulk with several blockers to plow the field for him as Faulk tied his personal best for the day.

The Texans' nightmares continue after punting on the previous drive the Texans are backed up again in their own territory, and must punt form their 16 yd line. P Chad Stanley (avg 42.1) sails it high for 30 yards that WR Troy Brown (1 for 4) clearly calls fair catch, but is leveled by LS Bryan Pittman for a 15 yard penalty giving the Pats great field position once again that they use to put another three points on the board after the Texans defense gets somewhat stingy.

The Texans once again bow out, and the Pats quickly put points on the board with a 6 yard TD reception from WR Jabar Gaffney (1 for 6 1 TD).

After the half The Texans come out of the gate and march down the field (I hate prevent defense) to put their first points of the game on the board after a one yard Ron Dayne (18 for 94 yds 1 TD) TD, but the celebration was in short as CB Ellis Hobbs took the kick return 93 yards to return the Pats to the original margin for their first special teams TD return of the season.

On their second drive after punting the Texans clock is ticking away, and Carr goes long trying to hit WR Andre Johnson (5 for 28), but is picked off by CB Ellis Hobbs who returns it to Houston's 29 yard line where the Pats settle up for another field goal.
Next possession Carr tries to force a pass to TE Owen Daniels (1 for 9), but it's CB Asante Samuel (5t 1int) who picks off the pass and returns it 33 yards to the Texans' 5 yard line, but a stingy run defense and an incomplete pass has the Pats settle for another FG.

The Pats have had more turnovers in the past three weeks then they have had all season. Samuel's pick his eighth of the year putting him just below Ty Law's 9 in 88, and did I mention his contract is up at the end of this year?

After another Texans' drive leading to a punt the Pats begin pulling their starters sending QB Matt Cassel (3 for 4) in for the second week in a row, but this time to protect their franchise QB, and he also has success moving the ball downfield. With the score clearly out of hand and converting for the first the Pats decide to milk the final two minutes putting in the highest paid kneeler in the NFL, QB Vinny Testerverde.

Overall, the Pats needed this game to boost confidence, and get ready for two tough road game with the Jacksonville Jaguars on tap for next weekend, and the blazing Tennessee Titans who have yet to lose a game with Vince Young at the helm. The AFC East title is not going to be easy, and you must throw in the fact that Bill Belichick has Eric Mangini and his Jets breathing down his neck with games against the Dolphins in Miami over the next two weeks, and then the Raiders for their home closer.

Maybe the Pats can take Dice K on the road with them for the remainder of the season?