Patriots Four Down Preview: AFC Divisional Round: Houston Texans at New England Patriots

January 18, 2026

Kickoff: The Patriots host the Houston Texans in the AFC Divisional Round. The weather is expected to be a factor today as the region is expected to pick up 3-6 inches of snow today. In theory, the Patriots are better equipped to deal with the weather, but this is the playoffs. Both teams will tolerate them. Getting off to a good start and taking care of the ball will be…

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Top 5 matchups to watch in the Texans, Patriots playoff game

January 18, 2026

It’s a battle of Will’s today. Literally! Today’s game is the ultimate match up game for the Patriots. Offensively they will have their hands full against one of the best defenses in the NFL. Match ups will dictate what ultimately happens and who wins this game. The Patriots will need to be on the right side of these match ups if they ultimately want to win this game and advance….

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Patriots Game Plan vs. the Houston Texans

January 18, 2026

The Patriots host the Houston Texans in the Divisional Round at snowy Gillette Stadium. Houston is a talented football team that poses a lot of match up problems. The Patriots will have their hands full against them. Winning those match ups will be key today. Here is how the Patriots could attack them on offense and defense today. Offense Emphasis on sprint and boot: The Patriots are going to need…

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Kuhr making the challenging adjustment to defensive coordinator look seamless

January 17, 2026

FOXBOROUGH- It is hard to coordinate an offense or a defense at any level of football. Especially when you are in your first year on the job. That is the challenge Patriots interim defensive coordinator Zak Kuhr has faced this season. Based on the results however, you would have thought Kuhr had been coordinating for years. Kuhr stepped into the role prior to the season opener against the Raiders after…

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Munford embraces role as sixth offensive lineman in Patriots heavy package

January 16, 2026

FOXBOROUGH- Patriots offensive tackle Thayer Munford has been here before, literally and figuratively. Munford is in his second stint with the Patriots this season after spending time with the Cleveland Browns earlier in the season. Originally drafted by the Las Vegas Raiders in 2022, Munford is familiar with Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels after playing for him in Las Vegas. After three seasons in Vegas, Munford was released and signed…

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Does Boston/New England vs. Houston Constitute A Sports Rivalry?

January 16, 2026

By John Sapochetti NEFJ Contributor In the long, storied history of Boston sports, there have been many individual team rivalries. Red Sox – Yankees is the greatest rivalry in Major League Baseball. The Celtics, winners of 18 NBA Championships, have had decades long duels with the Philadelphia 76ersand the Los Angeles Lakers. The Bruins, most natural rival is the Montréal Canadiens. Although, for the first 60 years of this matchup,…

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Coaching matchup In Sunday’s AFC Divisional Round contest pits a pair of true alphas

January 15, 2026

By John Sapochetti NEFJ Contributor One of the most used phrases in football is, “It’s not about the X’s and O’s, but the Ja’Marr’s and the Joes.” Sorry for the editorial license, I couldn’t resist. While being poetic and partially true, coaching does have a massive impact in the fortunes of a football team. To prove that point, look to the sidelines on Sunday at 3:00 when the 15-3 New…

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Connections between Patriots & Texans run deep

January 15, 2026

Former Patriots executive and coach Nick Caserio leads the Texans organization (Courtesy of the Houston Chronicle) The Houston Texans beat the Pittsburgh Steelers on Monday night, 30-6 to advance to the Divisional Round of the AFC Playoffs. The Patriots will take on the Texans at 3 pm on Sunday. There are plenty of former Patriots staffer and players from the Belichick era currently employed by the Texans. The return to…

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Patriots add veteran pass rusher Darrell Taylor to practice squad

January 14, 2026

USATI FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – The Patriots are adding a veteran presence to their defensive front as they prepare for the postseason. The team announced on Wednesday that they have signed defensive end Darrell Taylor to the practice squad. In a corresponding move, the Patriots released running back Elijah Mitchell from the practice squad. The timing of the signing is particularly notable; Taylor joins New England just days after being released…

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Offensive guys sing praises of Patriots defense after shutting down Chargers

January 13, 2026

Getty Images FOXBOROUGH – Football is the ultimate team sport and the Patriots win over the Chargers is proof of that. Most of the onus this season has been on Drake Maye and the offense, but on Sunday night, the defense took center stage in a dominant performance against the Chargers. The Patriots defense sacked Justin Herbert 6 times, forced three fumbles and recovered one and held the Chargers to…

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