Patriots links 1/16/26: Pats-Texans divisional round keys to victory

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TEAM TALK

• Patriots-Texans updated Injury Report.
• Evan Lazar’s Patriots Gameplan: 3 Keys to victory in Sunday’s divisional round matchup vs. the Texans. ‘The Texans defense is very talented, but their simplicity could favor the Patriots, who have an elite schemer in McDaniels calling plays for their talented second-year quarterback.’
• Mike Dussault’s Three to Watch: Key Patriots-Texans matchups. 1. Protect the Edges. This is the story of the game.
• Game Preview: Evan Lazar and Mike Dussault scout the Pats-Texans matchups. (11 min. video)
• Press Conferences:Josh McDaniels – Ashton Grant, Todd Downing, Doug Marrone, Tony Dews – Zak Kuhr – Jeremy Springer – Milton Williams, Jaylinn Hawkins, Rhamondre Stevenson, TreVeyon Henderson, Khyiris Tonga, Kayshon Boutte.
• Throwback: Top 5 Patriots AFC Divisional plays from the 2000s. (2 min. video)
• Patriots Unfiltered on TV:Divisional round preview, 1-on-1 with Robert Spillane; More. (22 min. video)
• Patriots Unfiltered:Texans preview, team/league updates, Divisional round picks. (2 hours)

LOCAL LINKS

• Thomas Murphy’s Monster Keys to Patriots victory over the Texans. 1. Keep the Franchise pretty.
• Steve Balestrieri posts his Pats–Texans key matchups. Patriots WRs vs. Texans secondary — Edge New England; Patriots RBs vs. Texans front seven — Edge Houston; More!
• Karen Guregian looks at the Patriots-Texans matchups to see who has the edge at each position.
• Andrew Callahan’s Friday Five: Why DeMario Douglas might key a Pats win, and more playoff thoughts.
• Karen Guregian hears from Dante Scarnecchia on how to stop the vaunted Texans front.
• Karen Guregian highlights Drake Maye with a sobering observation about Houston’s linebackers, “They’re going to try to take your head off.”
• Mark Daniels notes the Patriots rested their best defenders for a month and the gamble paid off.
• Mark Daniels finds that Will Campbell knows exactly what he’s up against in this week’s matchup.
• Mike D’Abate writes how the electric Patriots offense must prepare for a gritty Texans defense.
• Alex Barth says Christian Gonzalez was one of 6 Patriots with upgraded status on Thursday injury report.
• Mark Daniels notes DT Khyiris Tonga (foot) is optimistic about playing this week.
• Karen Guregian points out the Texans staff is packed with ex-Patriots coaches, and explores how that may factor into Sunday’s game.
• A Clare Perspective podcast: Clare and Evan Lazar discuss the Texans matchup and more. (35 min.)

NATIONAL NEWS

• Frank Schwab (Yahoo! Sports) Texans-Patriots NFL divisional round playoff preview: Houston’s defense tries to contain Drake Maye. Pats win 16-9.
• Anthony Dabbundo (The Ringer) X Factors for every team still in the playoffs. Patriots: Rhamondre Stevenson and TreVeyon Henderson as pass catchers; Texans: The non–Nico Collins wide receivers.
• Matt Verderame (SI) Key matchups, predictions for every 2025 Divisional Round playoff game. “New England has a more well-rounded team. Houston has a monster defense.” Pats win 13-10.
• Henry McKenna (FOX Sports) The Blueprint: How Tom Brady’s example gives Drake Maye ‘answers to the test’.
• Henry McKenna (FOX Sports) NFL playoffs QB rankings: Who do you trust most? No. 3 Drake Maye.
• Jordan Dajani & Jared Dubin (CBS Sports) NFL divisional round picks. Dajani: Patriots 20-16, Dubin: Patriots 17-13. /Click for both commentaries.
• Pete Prisco (CBS Sports) NFL divisional picks. Patriots win 23-17. “This is all about the defenses. The Texans dominated the Steelers on Monday night, while the Patriots abused Herbert.“ More.
• John Breech (CBS Sports) 2026 NFL playoff bracket picks, predictions. “I give the Texans the edge on defense and I give the Patriots the edge on offense…” Texans win 19-16. /Click for more commentary.
• Tyler Sullivan (CBS Sports) NFL playoffs power rankings: Seahawks top eight remaining teams. No. 2 Patriots. /Click for commentary.
• Joel Corry (CBS Sports) Agent’s Take: Ultimate 2025 end-of-season, 53-man roster that’s the best team money can buy. Drake Maye included.

VIEW FROM HOUSTON

• Mike Bullock (Battle Red Blog) Texans Stats: Texans vs Patriots; How Houston is rewriting history.
• Sam Warren (Houston Chronicle) Five things to know about the Patriots ahead of AFC divisional playoff.
• Jonathan M. Alexander (Houston Chronicle) Who has the edge between Texans and Patriots?
• Kenneth Levy (Battle Red Blog) Texans-Pats predictions: Round two of the playoffs with some interesting takes. Two of three pick Patriots to win. /Click for commentary.
• John Poorman (Houston Chronicle) Who needs to step up if Texans WR Nico Collins misses Sunday’s NFL playoff game with a concussion?
• Cole Thompson (Texans Wire) How have the Texans fared this season without WR Nico Collins? ‘Even better than expected’.
• Doug Farrar (Battle Red Blog) Calen Bullock expands his game just in time for Texans vs. Patriots in Divisional Round.
• Sam Russell (Bleacher Nation) Houston Texans’ history in AFC divisional playoffs.

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