The New England Patriots will have no room for error when they host the red-hot Houston Texans in Sunday’s AFC Divisional Round game. Yet, head coach Mike Vrabel isn’t expecting ‘perfection’ from his core against the Texans. He knows that DeMeco Ryan has turned the Texans’ defense into one of the most explosive units we’ve seen in recent years, and Vrabel broke down exactly what separates them from other defenses.

“They have great talent. Great scheme. They play hard. I respect how hard they play. They’re not only talented, but they also have a play demeanor that I can appreciate,” Vrabel said.

In their 24 seasons, the Texans have never reached an AFC Championship Game. They’re 0–6 in divisional-round appearances, and none of those losses were particularly close. But they’ve also never fielded a defense quite like this one. It gives them a chance to go somewhere they’ve never been.

That’s probably why it’s almost unrealistic for Vrabel that his team can take the Texans down.

Two days before the game, when asked whether the Patriots need to play a perfect game to beat the Texans, he said, “No, we want to try to be as precise as possible. We haven’t talked one time about being perfect since I’ve been here. We’re aiming for success and not perfection. Nobody’s going to be perfect. We’re going to need to be precise.”

With Nico Collins likely out Sunday after the concussion he suffered against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Houston isn’t exactly rolling in offensive firepower anyway. Even at full strength, this isn’t an offense that scares teams on its own. That puts the spotlight squarely back on the defense. And that’s where Houston is most comfortable.

The Texans held opponents to 17.3 points and 277.2 yards per game, both franchise bests. They picked off 19 passes, tied for third most in the league and third most in team history. They allowed just 4.8 yards per play, 1.5 points per drive, and a 64.8 percent conversion rate on downs (the best mark in the league).

The pass rush, though, is what really sets the tone. Danielle Hunter finished third in the league with 15 sacks, his second-best total as a pro. Will Anderson Jr. was everywhere, tying for fourth in the NFL with 20 tackles for loss and posting career highs across the board: 54 tackles, 12 sacks, 23 quarterback hits, plus a couple of forced turnovers.

On the back end, Derek Stingley Jr. quietly put together another outstanding season, becoming just the fourth Texan to record at least 15 pass breakups in back-to-back years. He also shared the team lead with four interceptions.

What really makes this defense click is its simplicity. Houston isn’t constantly disguising looks or morphing into a dozen different fronts. They line up, trust their rules, and play their game. They simply trust their style. But that’s not the only thing that makes them successful.

Mike Vrabel points out Texans’ success factor

Beyond the splashy defense, Mike Vrabel pointed to something a little less glamorous but just as important when talking about why the Houston Texans have an edge. He says it all came down to roster planning and execution.

“I mean, they got a lot of draft picks, and they signed some good free agents,” Vrabel said when asked about how Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans managed to flip the program so quickly.

That’s true, and the timing of that comment feels especially relevant now. With wide receiver Nico Collins out against the Patriots, it may be those draft picks and free-agent additions that end up carrying Houston on offense. The rookies, in particular, haven’t been headline-makers all season, but they could end up being difference-makers when it matters most.

Top Stories

Caleb Williams Puts Locker Room on Notice After Rams Publicly Announce Bears QB’s Weakness

Andy Reid Announces Double Firing Decision as Patrick Mahomes Outlines Ideal Chiefs OC

Eagles Issue Statement on Lane Johnson’s Retirement Decision After Announcing Update on $96M Star’s Future

Russell Wilson Announces New Citizenship Plans Away From America as Giants QB Makes Career Decision

Baltimore Ravens Make Mike McDaniel Announcement as Fired John Harbaugh Accepts Giants Job

When the Texans take the field in New England, at least eight offensive players will either be rookies or in their first year with the team. Rookie wideout Jayden Higgins has already carved out a real role. He’s caught six touchdowns, totaled 525 yards, and run 363 routes. He doesn’t look like a first-year at all.

Jaylin Noel hasn’t been on the field as much, but when his number’s been called, he’s made it count. He’s played just 214 pass snaps, yet produced 292 yards and two touchdowns, with 202 routes run.

Christian Kirk, brought in from the Jaguars, looks like the natural focal point with Collins sidelined. He already showed what he can do last week against the Steelers, hauling in eight passes on nine targets for 144 yards. He has to, and most likely, will step up this week against the Patriots.

If this Texans team does make a deep run, it probably won’t be because of one superstar carrying them. It’ll be because the draft picks grew up quickly, the free agents fit, and the plan came together when it had to.