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HOUSTON -- Eyes fixated downfield while the chaos of flailing bodies surrounds him, New England Patriots star quarterback Tom Brady maintains a singular focus in the pocket as he calmly locates his targets. A three-time Super Bowl Most Valuable Player, two-time league MVP and a 12-time Pro Bowl selection, Brady has built a practiced knack for moving laterally, shuffling his feet to buy precious time to deliver pinpoint spirals.
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It's that unique timing and laser-like accuracy that the Houston Texans' top-ranked defense hopes to disrupt during an AFC divisional-round playoff game Saturday at Gillette Stadium.
"He pretty much has a great command of the offense," Texans veteran cornerback Johnathan Joseph said. "He understands what defenses are trying to do to him. He knows every situation of the game. I've been playing against him for 11 years in my career and it's always the same thing.
"He's going to be very prepared for everything that you're going to throw at him, so you just have to do a good job of holding your disguise, being in the right leverage, everything. It's not going to be an easy task to go in there and beat him."
Brady has been on a determined mission all season. Pride stung, embarrassed and angry about the Deflategate scandal he felt was overblown by NFL commissioner Roger Goodell and ultimately punished with a four-game suspension, Brady has been relentless in his assault on defenses.
The seemingly ageless 39-year-old has completed 67.4 percent of his throws in a dozen starts, piling up 3,554 yards, 28 touchdowns and just two interceptions for a stellar 112.2 passer rating.
As the Texans' defensive backs prepare for arguably their most difficult assignment of the season against Brady and a receiving corps led by Julian Edelman and tight end Martellus Bennett, they'll be challenged physically and intellectually by one of the more cerebral quarterbacks in NFL history.
"It's ... a chess match for four quarters," Texans strong safety Quintin Demps said. "You have to disguise. You have to play good technique. He will find your weakness real fast. So, we have to be on our A game, for sure."
Dedicated to a spartan workout regimen and healthy diet, Brady has forged a 17-season career that has included four Super Bowl titles, 61,582 yards, 456 touchdown passes, just 152 interceptions and a 97.2 passer rating.
"It's a great opportunity going against, in my opinion, the greatest quarterback of all time," Texans cornerback A.J. Bouye said. "You've got to be at your best, because we already know that's what he's going to be at. And he has great weapons. I like to read articles, and one thing they say about Tom Brady everywhere is he's probably the hardest-working player to ever do it.
"That comes from him having his own facility near the stadium and how he approaches everything through diet. That's the sacrifice it takes to be at that level. Just to have the opportunity to play against him, you want to take advantage of it."
It's not as if the Texans' defense are slouches, though.
Particularly a secondary ranked second in the NFL in pass defense. The Texans yield 201.6 passing yards per game, and they have intercepted 11 passes and allowed just 20 touchdown passes.
Count Brady among those impressed with a defensive backfield that includes Demps leading all NFL safeties with six interceptions and features strong cornerback play.
"They've been playing as well as any secondary we've faced all season," Brady said. "Their cover guys have done such a great job for that defense and there is a reason why they're ranked No. 1. They don't give up any easy yards in the pass game. They don't give up any big plays.
"I've just been very impressed. It's a big test for our offense. They don't have any weaknesses on defense, so we're going to just have to play good, sound football and try to take advantage of our opportunities if we get them."
Brady has been especially impressed with how Bouye has emerged as a key contributor to the NFL's best statistical defense. A pending unrestricted free agent expected to cash in after this breakthrough season, Bouye leads the Texans with 16 passes defended. He allowed zero completions on seven passes thrown in his direction, a shutout against the Raiders in a playoff win.
"He's had an incredible year," Brady said. "What a great young player and great future that he has. He's shut a lot of people out over the course of the season. He seems like a feisty young player. His coverage skills are very impressive for someone of his size. He's got all of the makings of what it takes to be a great corner in this league."
The Texans have allowed just 6.6 yards per passing attempt and a cumulative opposing passer rating of 73.3.
"They challenge you in every aspect, so we've just got to be very sharp," Brady said. "Our execution has to be at its highest level, and it's going to be the toughest defense we've faced all year."
Installed as a 16-point favorite by Las Vegas sports books, Brady was dismissive of a suggestion that perhaps the Patriots might be overconfident and overlook the Texans after defeating them 27-0 in September during his suspension.
"I view it as the biggest game that we've played all season against the best defense that we've played all season," Brady said. "I don't see any letdown from us. That's ridiculous to think that."
