Houston Texans vs New England Patriots: 2026 AFC Divisional Round Preview
The Houston Texans travel to face the New England Patriots in a crucial AFC Divisional Round matchup at Gillette Stadium on Sunday afternoon at 3:00 PM ET. You can watch the game on ESPN and ABC.
The fifth-seeded Texans arrive with momentum after their 30-6 road victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers on Monday night.
The second-seeded Patriots enter after dominating the Los Angeles Chargers 16-3 in their first playoff win since 2018.
How They Got Here
Houston finished the regular season with a 13-5 record and captured their second consecutive AFC South division title. The Texans earned their first road playoff victory in franchise history with a dominant defensive performance against Pittsburgh.
The defense scored two touchdowns while holding the Steelers to just 175 total yards. Quarterback C.J. Stroud threw for 250 yards and one touchdown despite turning the ball over three times. Rookie running back Woody Marks rushed for 112 yards in his first career 100-yard game.
New England secured the AFC's second seed with a 15-3 record. The Patriots won their first playoff game in seven years by shutting down Justin Herbert and the Chargers.
Quarterback Drake Maye threw for 268 yards and led the team with 66 rushing yards. The defense sacked Herbert six times and held Los Angeles to just 207 total yards. The victory marked the Patriots' first playoff win in the post-Tom Brady era.
Key Matchups
Drake Maye faces his biggest test yet against the NFL's top-ranked defense. The second-year quarterback is an MVP candidate who led the league in completion percentage and passer rating during the regular season.
Maye must protect the football better after turning it over twice in the Wild Card round. The Texans defense allowed the fewest yards in the NFL and features elite pass rushers Danielle Hunter and Will Anderson Jr.
C.J. Stroud looks to break through in the Divisional Round after going 0-2 with zero touchdowns in this round during his career. The third-year quarterback threw three interceptions and lost two fumbles against the Steelers but still led his team to victory. Stroud faces a Patriots defense that forced six sacks last week and has been dominant at home all season.
The Texans may be without star receiver Nico Collins. The Pro Bowl wideout left Monday's game with a concussion and his status remains uncertain. Christian Kirk stepped up with eight catches for 144 yards in Collins' absence. The Patriots must contain the Texans' pass rush. Houston tied for sixth in the NFL with 47 sacks during the regular season.
What to Watch
The Texans played on Monday night and face a short week of preparation. The Patriots rested an extra day after their Sunday game. Cold weather at Gillette Stadium could favor the home team against a warm-weather opponent that plays indoors.
New England seeks revenge after losing to Houston 41-21 during the 2024 regular season. That game marked Drake Maye's first career start. The Patriots have won both playoff meetings between these teams.
The winner advances to host the AFC Championship Game. A trip to Super Bowl LX is one game away for the victorious team.
