FOXBOROUGH, MA (WGGB/WSHM) – It’s been over half a decade since the Patriots found themselves in a divisional round playoff game. A different quarterback, a different coach, a different team. But this isn’t current Head Coach Mike Vrabel’s first dance with destiny, even though it might just be his toughest defensive matchup yet.
“They play to the football, they chase the football, they get a lot of heads to the football, they create turnovers and play physical,” Vrabel said.
The visiting Houston Texans, loaded with one of the most dominant defensive fronts the league has seen in years. It’s a fact that Coach Vrabel and the whole team is abundantly aware of, with keeping Drake Maye upright — a top priority.
“I think that there’s talent, length, effort. If they got blocked, they don’t stay blocked long. Can power different moves on the edge so they play hard against the run. It’s not just if you run the ball, they’re taking plays off so, just two really good book ends,” Vrabel said about Houston’s strategy.
Now, on the Patriots defense the number one question heading into this week was simple: will star corner Christian Gonzalez play?
We can report here at Gilette Stadium that although there is no official injury designation, he was practicing with the rest of the squad in a red non-contact jersey.
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