Patriots vs Texans NFL Playoffs
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The New England Patriots advanced to the AFC Divisional Round with a 16-3 win against the Los Angeles Chargers in the AFC Wild Card Game last week. The Patriots allowed no touchdowns, had 6 sacks, allowed under 100 yards rushing and under 150 yards passing against the Chargers. The only other team in Super Bowl era to do all of that in a playoff game was the 1985 Chicago Bears against the New York Giants in the NFC Divisional Round. The 2025 Patriots finished the season tied with the Denver Broncos and the Seattle Seahawks for the best record in the NFL with a 14-3 record to earn the No. 2 seed in the AFC Playoffs. The 14-3 record is a 10-game difference from the 4-13 finish in 2024. The 10-game improvement tied the 1999 Indianapolis Colts and the 2008 Miami Dolphins for the best turnaround in NFL history. The 1998 Colts were 3-13 and improved to 13-3 in 1999, and the 2007 Dolphins were 1-15 in 2007 and improved to 11-5 in 2008.
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Kickoff: Sunday, Jan. 18, 3 p.m. ET
Stadium: Gillette Stadium, Foxborough MA
Broadcast: ESPN/ABC, ESPN Deportes, WCVB-TV Channel 5 (local)
Live stream/mobile: ESPN+, NFL+ (local), NFL Sunday Ticket (out of market), NFL Game Pass (international), SiriusXM App (NE: 821, HOU: 812, Spanish: 832)
Radio: Westwood One, 98.5 The Sports Hub (local | Full list of affiliate stations), SiriusXM (NE: 225, HOU: 226, National: 88, Spanish: 227)
Odds: Patriots -3, O/U 40.5 (FanDuel Sportsbook)
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Game Center
PATRIOTS: Game Release (PDF) | Roster | Depth Chart | Stats
TEXANS: Roster | Depth Chart | Stats | Roster Flip-Card (PDF)
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PATRIOTS AT HOME IN THE PLAYOFFS
The Patriots are 24-5 (.828) at home in the playoffs in their history. Twenty-eight of the franchise's 29 home playoff games have taken place since Robert Kraft purchased the team in 1994. After Kraft bought the team, the Patriots won 11 consecutive home playoff games before experiencing a home loss.
CONNECTIONS
FORMER PATRIOTS
Players
- WR Braxton Berrios (2018^)
- T Trent Brown (2018^, 2021-23)
- FB Jakob Johnson (2019-21)
- CB Myles Bryant (2020-23)
- CB Ameer Speed (2023)
- C Jake Andrews (2023-24)
- G Sidy Sow (2023-24)
- DT Haggai Ndubuisi (2024)
Coach / Exec
- General Manager Nick Caserio (2001-20^)
- Asst. Offensive Line Coach Cole Popovich (2015-20^)
- Special Teams Coordinator Frank Ross (2011-17^)
FORMER TEXANS
Players
- CB Alex Austin (2023)
- WR Stefon Diggs (2024)
Coach / Exec
- Head Coach Mike Vrabel (2014-17)
- Asst. Offensive Line Coach Robert Kugler (2021)
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TALE OF THE TAPE
| 2025 REGULAR SEASON | NEW ENGLAND | HOUSTON |
|---|---|---|
| Record | 14-3 | 12-5 |
| Divisional Standings | 1st | 2nd |
| Total Yards Gained | 6,449 | 5,559 |
| Total Offense (Rank) | 379.4 (3) | 327.0 (18) |
| Rush Offense | 128.9 (6) | 108.9 (22) |
| Pass Offense | 250.5 (4) | 218.1 (14) |
| Points Per Game | 28.8 (2) | 23.8 (13) |
| Total Yards Allowed | 5,019 | 4,713 |
| Total Defense (Rank) | 295.2 (8) | 277.2 (1) |
| Rush Defense | 101.7 (5) | 93.7 (4) |
| Pass Defense | 193.5 (9) | 183.5 (6) |
| Points Allowed / Game | 18.8 (4) | 17.4 (2) |
| Possession Avg. | 31:18 | 31:49 |
| Sacks Allowed / Yards Lost | 48/201 | 31/249 |
| Sacks Made / Yards | 35/222 | 47/366 |
| Total Touchdowns Scored | 58 | 38 |
| Penalties Against / Yards | 99/854 | 118/989 |
| Punts / Avg. | 51/47.4 | 72/47.6 |
| Turnover Differential | +3 (10) | +17 (2) |
42 comments
I like our chances. Despite it snowing, I think both teams having a good run defense will make this game go down to QB play in the air. If Maye is mobile, smart and doesn’t allow takeaways, we should win. We need to force Stroud to pass and make mistakes. If we can get to 20+ points first, I think we win. If we can get a run game going, that’ll be huge
Got excited about the snow until I remembered that CJ Stroud went to Ohio
Should i wear my maye or brady jersey ?
I’m not nervous you are
Im in Georgia and I finally get a snow day on a patriots playoff game Sunday all I need is a win and my year is made
LFG 10
WE ALL WE GOT!!!!!!
These Texans are no scarier than the JJ Watt Texans, and I’m tired of pretending like it’s not true
LFG
nervous as fuuuck…but LFGGGGGGGGG!
I like us… yes they got a good D but our QB is not Aaron Rodgers that can’t move in the pocket. again, I LIKE US!
It is so insane to me that either Maye, Stidham or stroud will represent the AFC in the SB! Drake needs to be locked in today! Time to showcase who you are Drake!
Today is the day. Snow is falling let’s fucking go
Ball security, and we got this. Win or lose, I’ll be heading to the proshop this week to pick up a Maye jersey. Can’t really ask for more than what this team gave us this year.
22 years ago today: we defeat Indianapolis in the AFC Championship Game at home.
11 years ago today: we defeat Indianapolis in the AFC Championship Game at home. (And the Colts complain about deflated footballs.)
Today: we host an AFC South team in a home playoff game. LFG!!!
They have a lot of former Patriots on their team, especially linemen which is kinda funny.
Whether you’re at Gillette, at a bar, or in your living room…STAND THE FUCK UP AND GET LOUUUUUUUUDDDDDD
It’s right there for the taking now just need to take care of business today
GO PATRIOTS!
Dealing with the snow today for work but I’ll be tuned in
Woke up to find I have been permanently banned from the Buffalo Bills subreddit lmao.
Does *pregame* thread mean everyone is drinking?
Go team! Score more points than the other team!
Ain’t gonna pretend here. It’s gonna be a tough game today.
Watching sports center getting ready to head over to Gillette and feeling emotional seeing how much this team cares about each other.
Pretty sure I’m gonna cry at some point today. LFGGGGGGG!
Win or lose today it’s been an honor to watch this amazing season🫡
That being said…GET IT DONE
Has the snow begun in Foxboro?
NC guy here, is it snowing there yet?
Looked it up just to be sure & the numbers confirm what I remembered; Maye is really good at taking care of the football the week after a multi-turnover game. He had 3 games in the regular season with 2 turnovers & in the 3 games after he had just 1 turnover combined.
Let’s hope that trend holds true for him because if the Pats limit themselves to a single turnover today I would certainly have to think they win this game.
If anyone’s ever been to Gillette and seen it, my dads best friend owns the patriots paddy wagon, which he updates every Super Bowl win. Despite knowing we have a long, long path ahead of us, I hope he can update it to our 7th this season 🏈
LFGP!! Divisional snow game in Foxborough! Win or lose this season has exceeded expectations and there’s plenty to build off of here!
I’m feeling the cheeziest coach
I, for one, am jacked to the tits.
This is the furthest the Pats have made it in the post season since my Dad was alive. Nearly every Pats game he would make a French bread pizza for us to enjoy as we watched Brady light it up. French bread pizza is on the menu for me again today. Let’s do this
Put me down as nervous as fuck but also excited. I think we have the drive and means to win this. I trust in Vrabes and the team to be prepared. LFG.
Broncos fan checking in from boston, was disgusted seeing pats fans cheering on the bills last night.
I hope drake maye balls the fuck out
This game will forever be known as the jarrett stidham bowl, winner gets jarrett stidham.
Have Patriots ever even lost a home playoff game in the snow? 2002 and 2004 divisionals come to mind, the Texans shouldn’t even bother showing up.
Please win aye lmao
Flipped on espn and its a party outside of Gillette on the espn set right now. Robert kraft interview coming up.
Cheering for patriots , but Texans aren’t a slouch , should look at their last week performance as “they blew out a team despite the offense playing like shit”
Im honestly a little nervous about the Texans defense but we faced a pretty good chargers defense last week who isn’t as good as the Texans, but on a very close level. Cautiously optimistic!
I feel like I need a seatbelt on my recliner