After dominating the steelers in the Wild Card round, the Houston Texans are back in action against the Patriots on Sunday.
The Texans come in as a top-tier defensive unit but an uneven offensive team. Houston’s defense is among the best in recent memory, ranking first in overall passing efficiency and third in rushing efficiency. However, their vulnerability against quarterback scrambles is stark—they allowed 9.2 yards per carry on scrambles and positive EPA on over 60% of attempts. Drake Maye’s ability to scramble and extend plays could be the key to defeating the Texans’ otherwise suffocating defense.
Offensively, Houston leans heavily on the run from under center, especially in short-yardage and goal-line situations. RJ Harvey, Bo Nix, and others have converted at a high rate in the red zone, giving them a chance to control the clock and sustain drives. Their efficiency in these scenarios is crucial against defenses that can dominate in the open field but struggle to stop power running schemes.
Turnovers and field position will also be pivotal. The Texans must avoid critical mistakes, as their elite defense can only mask offensive inefficiency to a point. Success hinges on complementary football—ball control, physicality, and opportunistic defense—to advance deeper into the playoffs.
