Let's grade the performance of every position group in the divisional round as the Texans hit the offseason and begin to regroup for 2026.

Houston and New England set off the early afternoon portion of the two divisional Sunday matchups. The Texans are playing on a short week, having eliminated the Steelers on Monday night, 30-7. New England is coming off a dominant 16-3 victory over the Chargers last week and the first playoff win of the Mike Vrabel Patriots era.

From the mid-2010s through 2020, Houston leaned heavily on New England ties, starting with head coach Bill O’Brien, defensive coordinator Romeo Crennel and a growing list of former Patriots players and staffers. The approach became known — often critically — as chasing the “Patriot Way.”

Preview the Houston Texans' NFL Playoffs AFC Divisional Round matchup with the Patriots, including live stream, TV channel, odds, and game