Texans vs. Patriots: A Historical Perspective

Introduction

The Texans and Patriots are two of the most successful teams in the NFL over the past two decades. They have met in the playoffs four times, with the Patriots winning three of those matchups. However, the Texans have won the regular-season series 3-2.

Historical Record

Key Matchups

• 2012 AFC Divisional Round: The Patriots were heavily favored in this game, but the Texans upset them with a 42-14 victory. Andre Johnson had a huge game for the Texans, catching 11 passes for 196 yards and two touchdowns.
• 2016 AFC Divisional Round: The Patriots got their revenge in this game, beating the Texans 34-16. Tom Brady threw for 384 yards and three touchdowns, while DeAndre Hopkins had a quiet game for the Texans with just four catches for 55 yards.
• 2019 AFC Wild Card Game: The Texans won their first playoff game in franchise history by beating the Patriots 28-22. Deshaun Watson threw for 321 yards and two touchdowns, while Will Fuller had six catches for 113 yards and a touchdown.

Key Players

• Texans: Deshaun Watson, DeAndre Hopkins, Whitney Mercilus, JJ Watt
• Patriots: Tom Brady, Julian Edelman, Stephon Gilmore, Dont'a Hightower

Strengths and Weaknesses

Texans

• Strengths:
  • High-powered offense led by Deshaun Watson and DeAndre Hopkins
  • Strong defense led by JJ Watt and Whitney Mercilus
• Weaknesses:
  • Lack of experience in the playoffs
  • Secondary can be vulnerable to big plays

Patriots

• Strengths:
  • Tom Brady is one of the greatest quarterbacks of all time
  • Strong defense led by Stephon Gilmore and Dont'a Hightower
• Weaknesses:
  • Offense can be inconsistent at times
  • Age is starting to catch up to some of the key players

Outlook

The Texans and Patriots are both expected to be contenders in the AFC this season. The Texans have a lot of young talent, but they need to gain more experience in the playoffs. The Patriots are a more experienced team, but they are starting to show their age.

Conclusion

The Texans and Patriots are two of the most successful teams in the NFL over the past two decades. They have met in the playoffs four times, with the Patriots winning three of those matchups. However, the Texans have won the regular-season series 3-2. Both teams are expected to be contenders in the AFC this season.