The walls of Gillette Stadium have hosted numerous postseason bouts over the past 25 years.
But in what will be the first time New England plays in the divisional round since Jan. 13, 2019, the Patriots’ upcoming matchup against the Houston Texans will be the biggest test the Mike Vrabel and Drake Maye regime has faced yet.
Houston’s defense is Super Bowl caliber, and that might even be an understatement. The hottest team in the league is currently on a 10-game winning streak, including a 30-6 blowout of the Pittsburgh Steelers in the Wild Card round. In that game, the renowned Texans defense held the Steelers to under 200 total yards and scored two defensive touchdowns for good measure.
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Maye has played like an MVP candidate all season, but the key to the Patriots reaching the AFC Championship isn’t their offense; it’s actually their defense.
Houston’s Vulnerable Offense
The Texans’ Wild Card win was fueled by their defense, despite a lackluster offense. C.J. Stroud looked chaotic. The 2023 Offensive Rookie of the Year fumbled four times in the first half and threw an interception in the third quarter.
New England has been excellent against the run this season, so Houston will likely rely more on the passing game to make plays. With Christian Gonzalez’s status for Sunday’s game uncertain after suffering a concussion against the Chargers, Carlton Davis and Marcus Jones will need to continue to succeed in pass coverage.
Coming off their best game of the season, if the Patriots’ defense can apply pressure once again on Stroud, then New England can even the playing field. The big guys up front proved they can be difference makers, as Milton Williams effectively sealed last week’s contest with a sack on fourth down with under two minutes to go.
Yes, Houston’s front seven and deadly secondary are intimidating, but if anyone can step up in primetime to get the job done, it’s Maye.
All In on Patriots O-Line
Although many may consider their regular-season schedule easy, Maye and the Patriots have faced some of the top pass defenses in the league, including the Bills, Browns, and Falcons. However, for Maye to have the chance to wear the Superman cape, he’ll need time in the pocket.
Anyone who watched Sunday Night Football saw the dysfunction of the Chargers’ offensive line. Justin Herbert faced pressure on 56.8% of his dropbacks. In every other play, Herbert encountered immediate pressure and had to make a quick decision, often resulting in a sack or an incomplete pass.
That’s what the Patriots’ offensive line will face on Sunday: Will Campbell and Jared Wilson did not perform well defending the left side in the Wild Card round. They’ll need to fix those mistakes before it’s too late.
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If New England can hold onto the ball against Houston’s suffocating defense and keep C.J. Stroud in check, then the Patriots could secure their spot in the AFC Championship game.
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