The New England Patriots heard buzz about the Houston defense during the divisional playoffs. Pats defenders took one-sided chatter about the Texans’ defense personally.
“We heard them talk all week,” defensive end Milton Williams said after New England’s 28-16 victory, via the Boston Globe . “Ain’t nobody talking about our defense. We’re going to see if they’re going to talk about our defense now. The boys are going home.”
The Pats defense took advantage on the field, forcing five turnovers for the fifth time in postseason history, and the first time since the 2003 AFC Championship Game. New England intercepted CJ Stroud four times in the first half Sunday afternoon, tied for the most in team postseason history.
Mike Vrabel’s defense played compensation football, pressuring Stroud to 16 turnovers, but the secondary played tight ends, giving Texas targets little room to breathe, and the Pats stifled the rushing attack. Every time it looked like Houston might be gaining traction, the New England D shut the door with a turnover or a big negative play.
“That’s what I live for, to shut people up,” Williams said.
K’Lavon Chaisson had a team-high six pressures and one sack on 40 carries in the Patriots’ win over Texas, including a career-high four rushes.
Marcus Jones became the first Patriots player with a pick-six in a playoff game since Asante Samuel in the 2006 AFC Championship loss to the Colts. Carlton Davis became the first Pats player with two INTs in a playoff game since Alfonzo Dennard beat Indianapolis in the 2013 divisional round. Rookie safety Craig Woodson picked off and recovered a key interception on a Christian Gonzalez strip by a running Woody Marks deep in his own end.
“We’ve got a lot of guys here with a chip on their shoulder,” Williams said. “We go there every time we step on the field and try to prove it.”
The Patriots’ defense proved its mettle, holding its two playoff opponents to a combined 19 points with one touchdown. A New England defense that entered the postseason with questions about whether it could get a stop in the red zone buckled down, allowing Houston to convert just 1 of 4 chances, holding Houston to two field goals and forcing a fumble.
The Texans fielded the best defense in the NFL and they got behind Drake Maye all game, picking up 5 sacks and 4 tackles (two fumbles). But Vrabel’s defense showed it can be the difference in January.
“They are playing well together,” the coach said. “I feel like they’re complementing each other and our turnovers are created by more than one guy. It’s a big effort. But it’s somebody tipping over or it’s somebody putting pressure that’s usually helping — or [defensive play caller] Zak [Kuhr] is calling something that changes the appearance. We are taking advantage of our opportunities. And that’s what it’s going to take in the playoffs, you have to think about the ball and turn it over.”
The Patriots defense now heads to the AFC Championship Game to face the Denver Broncos, who will be starting quarterback and former New England fourth-rounder Jarrett Stidham, for the right to play for the Lombardi Trophy.