Get ready for a showdown that could redefine the NFL landscape! The Houston Texans and New England Patriots are set to clash in a divisional round game that promises fireworks, but here's where it gets controversial: can the Texans break their postseason curse against the Patriots?
The road to Super Bowl LX in Santa Clara, California, has narrowed to just eight teams, and this weekend’s matchups are nothing short of electrifying. Among them, the Houston Texans, fresh off a dominant wild-card victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers, are heading north to face the New England Patriots, who secured their spot by defeating the Los Angeles Chargers. But this isn’t just any game—it’s a rematch with history on the line. New England holds an 11-4 all-time record against Houston, including a perfect 2-0 in postseason play. The last time these teams met was in Week 6 of the 2024 season, where the Texans pulled off a stunning 41-21 victory in Foxborough, marking their first-ever win there. C.J. Stroud stole the show with three touchdown passes, while Patriots quarterback Drake Maye, in his first career start, threw three touchdowns but also struggled with two interceptions, a fumble, and four sacks. And this is the part most people miss: Stefon Diggs, now Maye’s go-to receiver in New England, was actually on the Texans’ side in that 2024 game, hauling in six catches for 77 yards and a touchdown.
For fans eager to catch every moment, ABC13 has you covered. Kick off your Sunday with Countdown to Kickoff at 9:30 a.m. CT, where Greg Bailey, Spencer Tillman, and Bob Slovak will break down the matchup. At 11 a.m., switch over to Postseason NFL Countdown on ABC13 or ESPN for in-depth pre-game analysis. The main event begins at 2 p.m. CT, with the Texans and Patriots battling it out live on ABC13 or ESPN. All times are in Central Standard Time, so mark your calendars!
For the analytically inclined, ESPN’s NFL on ESPN Playbook with Next Gen Stats is back for the divisional round. This final edition, available to ESPN Unlimited subscribers via the ESPN App, offers a deep dive into the game with real-time data, advanced metrics, and AI-driven commentary. Powered by the NFL’s Next Gen Stats and Adrenaline’s TruPlay AI, viewers can experience the game from a 22-man, all-field camera view, complete with live predictive insights that adjust to personnel, formations, and pre-snap movements. But here’s the question: will these advanced analytics reveal a winning edge for the Texans, or will history repeat itself for the Patriots?
Copyright © 2026 ESPN Internet Ventures. All rights reserved. What do you think—can Houston finally flip the script, or will New England’s postseason dominance continue? Let us know in the comments!
