Five Key Matchups in Patriots vs. Texans

Drake Maye vs. Texans Pass Rush

This is the heavyweight bout. Drake Maye has been ice-cold efficient in 2025, piling up 4,394 passing yards, 31 touchdowns, and a ridiculous 72.0% completion rate. Add in 450 rushing yards and four scores on the ground, and you’ve got a QB who can stress defenses in multiple ways.

But Houston brings heat—literally. The Texans finished with 47 sacks, powered by edge wreckers Danielle Hunter (15 sacks) and Will Anderson Jr. (12 sacks). If Maye can identify pressure, get the ball out on time, and escape when things break down, New England’s offense can dictate the game. If not, this will turn into a long afternoon.

Patriots Receiving Corps vs. Texans Secondary

Maye’s breakout has been fueled by balance and timing. He’s spreading the ball, hitting windows, and leaning on savvy veterans, none bigger than Diggs, now wearing Patriots blue after his Houston stint.

The Texans' secondary clamped down in the Wild Card round, but this is a different test. New England’s route combos, option routes, and intermediate passing game are designed to stress communication. If Diggs and company win early in routes, the Pats can move the chains and stay on schedule.

Patriots Coaching & Situational Football vs. Texans Discipline

This is where New England usually wins playoff games. The Patriots finished top-10 in red-zone defense and are among the league’s least-penalized teams.

Houston, meanwhile, has been shaky with pre-snap penalties and third-and-long execution. In January, that stuff gets magnified. Field position, red-zone stands, and mistake-free drives? That’s Patriots DNA.

Patriots Front Seven vs. Texans Run Game

Houston gashed Pittsburgh on the ground this past weekend, racking up 164 rushing yards. Woody Marks set the tone with 112 yards and a score, and that downhill approach kept the offense balanced.

If the Texans establish the run again, they could shorten the game and keep Maye on the sideline. New England’s front seven has to win early downs with gap discipline and physicality, or this will become a grind.

Special Teams & Field Position

Playoff football lives in the margins. Houston’s sack production flips field position fast, while the Patriots thrive on takeaways and hidden yards in the return game.

In what projects as a lower-scoring Divisional Round slugfest, one busted coverage on a return or one penalty inside the 10-yard line could swing everything.

This might be the sneaky key. New England averaged over 4.4 yards per carry in wins and ranked top-10 in early-down rushing success. Houston struggled with yards allowed before contact, especially against gap-scheme runs.

If the Patriots control the ground game, they control the clock, own field position, and keep C.J. Stroud watching from the sideline. And in January at Gillette, that’s exactly how New England likes it.