The New England Patriots are set to face the Houston Texans in the AFC divisional round at Gillette Stadium this Sunday. Both teams delivered strong performances in the wild-card round, with the Texans triumphing over the Pittsburgh Steelers while the Patriots secured a victory against the LA Chargers.
Defensive prowess defined both teams in their previous games. The Texans showcased their defensive strength by limiting the Steelers to just six points, while the Patriots allowed only a field goal against the Chargers. Throughout the season, Houston”s defense has been formidable, ranking first in total defense, second in defensive touchdowns, sixth in pass defense, third in interceptions, and sixth in sacks.
As both teams prepare for this critical matchup, they will be without several key players. The Patriots are in relatively good health, as they did not report any players as definitively ruled out. However, linebacker Harold Landry III (knee) and running back Terrell Jennings (concussion) are both questionable after limited participation in practice this week.
On a positive note, Pro Bowl cornerback Christian Gonzalez has been cleared to play after suffering a concussion in last week”s game. He participated fully in practice on Thursday and Friday, indicating he is ready to contribute.
In contrast, the Texans are facing a significant loss with star wide receiver Nico Collins ruled out due to a concussion he sustained in the victory over Pittsburgh. Collins was the leading receiver for the Texans during the regular season, accumulating 1,117 yards and six touchdowns.
Additionally, the Texans are dealing with uncertainty on their offensive line. Tackle Trent Brown (ankle) is listed as questionable after missing practices on Wednesday and Thursday, though he did return to a limited capacity on Friday.
As both teams finalize their preparations, the stage is set for an exciting divisional round clash at Gillette Stadium.
