Overview
- Kickoff is Sunday, January 18 at 3:00 p.m. ET at Gillette Stadium with national coverage on ESPN and ABC.
- Betting markets list New England around a 3-point favorite with a total near 40.5 and moneyline prices around NE -170 and HOU +142.
- Houston’s defense led the NFL in yards allowed per game (277.2), and both teams advanced from low-scoring Wild Card wins (Texans 30-6, Patriots 16-3).
- Texans wide receiver Nico Collins has been ruled out with a concussion, reducing options for quarterback C.J. Stroud.
- Pre-game picks highlight a defensive script, with a BoyleSports recommendation on Texans +3.5 and a Racing Post/Paddy Power bet-builder of Under 40.5, Hunter Henry anytime touchdown and Drake Maye over 30 rushing yards.