The New England Patriots will face off against the Houston Texans on Sunday after each team put on unimpressive offensive displays in the Wildcard Round. The Patriots scored just 16 points, punching in a single touchdown on a 28-yard grab by Hunter Henry.
The final score made it look like the Texans dominated the Steelers, but reality didn't match the 30-6 win. A pair of defensive touchdowns accounted for 13 points, and at the end of the third quarter, the game was 7-6 in favor of Houston.
While New England's offense showed they can score this season (No. 2 in the league), the Texans were 13th in PPG, heavily boosted by their 30.2 PPG across their final four matchups. In their first 13 games, the NFL's newest franchise scored only 21.8 PPG.
The #Texans No. 1-ranked defense is unreal #Patriots
— Graham Wilker (@GrahamWilker1) January 13, 2026
Hunter: 15 Sacks, 15 TFL
WAJ: 12 Sacks, 20 TFL
AAS: 104 Tackles
To'oto'o: 95 Tackles, 2.5 Sacks
Stingley: 4 INT, 52.3% allowed
Lassiter: 4 INT, 57% allowed, 91 Tackles
Bullock: 4 INT, 47.1% allowed
Pitre: 4 INT
The Texans defense will be a major challenge for New England
Despite their offensive mediocrity, the Texans have made it this far for a reason: their stellar defense. Between Danielle Hunter and Will Anderson Jr. on the edge, Azeez Al-Shaair racking up over 100 tackles at linebacker, and Derek Stingley on the back end, there aren't many holes on Houston's squad.
The @HoustonTexans are the second team in NFL history with a defensive fumble return TD and an interception return TD in a playoff game.
— OptaSTATS (@OptaSTATS) January 13, 2026
The other was the Browns in their 49-7 victory in the 1948 AAFC Championship Game to complete their undefeated season. pic.twitter.com/n3dBSU4iYT
Beyond the elite defensive play from Houston on Monday night, they've shown an innate ability to force turnovers. They're third in the league in takeaways, forcing 1.7 a game. 1.1 of those turnovers per game come via interceptions.
Their offense, while not explosive, complements their defensive style by not turning the ball over. They had the second-fewest turnovers in the league this year, just 12, 9 of which came via C.J. Stroud's interceptions. The Texans scored just 17.3 PPG during the regular season when Stroud threw an interception, going 3-3 (otherwise 9-2).
The Texans have been able to ride the coattails of their elite defense. Their 17.4 PPG allowed during the regular season was the lowest total of any AFC team and the second-lowest of any playoff team (Seattle).
DeMeco Ryans' squad will be a difficult one to beat, and if their defense really can carry them to the franchise's first-ever Super Bowl, they'll prove that defense really does win championships.