After getting the best of Justin Herbert and the Los Angeles Chargers during Wild Card Weekend, the New England Patriots turn their attention to the Houston Texans, who they’ll host at Gillette Stadium during the Divisional Round of the NFL playoffs on Sunday in Foxborough.
Even though the Patriots are favored (-3) to come out on top in this battle of AFC heavyweights, NFL MVP candidate Drake Maye and company will have their work cut out for them in this matchup, as they’ll face an elite defense led by Will Anderson Jr. and Danielle Hunter.
Kayshon Boutte on Texans’ Defense: ‘Not Too Complicated’
Calen Bullock #2 of the Houston Texans celebrates with Jalen Pitre #5 and Damone Clark #31 of the Houston Texans
Ahead of this Divisional Round clash, Patriots wide receiver Kayshon Boutte spoke to the media and had some interesting comments about facing the elite Texans defense on Sunday.
“We’re gonna do the same things we’ve been doing, honestly,” Boutte said of attacking the Texans’ defense. “At the end of the day, we want to make them adjust to how we play. They’re not too complicated on defense, not too many looks. We’ll get a good tell of what they’re doing. Just being us.”
It probably wasn’t the wisest thing to give Anderson and company some added motivation by claiming the Texans’ defense isn’t “too complicated,” but he was just being honest.
Boutte also emphasized protecting the football against Houston.
“I think it’s important for the team, but if we say we are gonna do it, we’ve got to do it,” Boutte said. “It all starts with protecting the ball. We’ve gotta block for everybody, we’ve gotta free up hits from the ball-carriers, not let them get free hits, just take care of the ball.”
Houston comes into this game against Maye’s Patriots having won 10 straight games, making them one of the hottest teams in the league right now, with the defense being the main reason for that success.
Mike Vrabel Has High Praise for Texans’ Defense
GettyWill Anderson Jr. #51 of the Houston Texans
Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel was also asked about facing arguably the best defense in the NFL during Sunday’s game.
“I mean, they have great talent, great scheme, they play hard and I respect how hard they play,” Vrabel said. “They’re not only talented, but they have a play demeanor that I can appreciate.”
There’s no question that Vrabel knows the team will be facing potentially their toughest challenge of the season in a win-or-go-home situation at Gillette Stadium.
“Yeah, I mean, again, there’s not a whole – they don’t, I guess, necessarily – maybe the volume isn’t as much. I think the volume increases on third down, where you’ll maybe get some multiple looks, pressures and different things. But I think we pretty much would have an idea of where they’re going to be on first and second down. They’ll mix in pressures, then they match up and then we’ll get into the zone. But I think the volume probably comes more in on third down.”
This game will likely come down to whether Maye can keep playing at an MVP level or if the Texans’ defense is too much to handle, leading to an 11th consecutive win for Houston.
Patriots WR Kayshon Boutte Sends Warning to Texans Cornerbacks