Overview
- Kickoff is set for Sunday at 3 p.m. ET at Gillette Stadium, with New England’s offense meeting Houston’s elite unit.
- The Texans lead the NFL in yards allowed and rank second in scoring defense, leaning on a four-man rush on 75.8% of snaps and an edge duo of Will Anderson Jr. and Danielle Hunter with 153 combined pressures.
- New England allowed a 37.7% pressure rate this season, with LT Will Campbell surrendering five pressures and a sack in his playoff debut, while RT Morgan Moses has yielded one sack or fewer all season.
- Houston ruled out top receiver Nico Collins due to concussion protocol, and the Patriots cleared CB Christian Gonzalez, shifting Houston targets toward TE Dalton Schultz after New England allowed 971 yards to tight ends.
- WR Kayshon Boutte said Houston’s defense is straightforward and often plays man, as Drake Maye enters with league-best production versus zone but a need to be sharper against man after last week.