The energy around Foxborough right now is just... different. For the first time since the 2018 season, there’s a genuine buzz that isn't just nostalgia-fueled hope. If you’ve been looking for New England Patriots highlights today, you’ve probably seen the clips of Milton Williams accidentally blooding Mike Vrabel’s lip after the Wild Card win.
It’s messy. It’s loud. And honestly, it’s exactly what this franchise needed.
We are currently in the thick of the 2026 NFL Divisional Round prep. The Patriots are sitting on a 15-3 record (including the playoffs) after a regular season that tied the league record for the best one-year turnaround in history. They went from a dismal 4-13 last year to 14-3 this year.
That doesn't just happen.
The Drake Maye Factor: Better Than Advertised?
Most people expected Drake Maye to be good. They didn't necessarily expect him to lead the league in completion percentage at 72.0% while chucking it for 31 touchdowns in his first full year as the guy.
In the Wild Card win against the Chargers last week, Maye was skittish early. He threw an interception. He lost a fumble. You could feel the "here we go again" vibes creeping into Gillette Stadium. But then the second half happened. He finished with 268 yards and a dagger of a 28-yard touchdown to Hunter Henry.
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He also ran for 66 yards. When a 6'4" quarterback is out-rushing his own running backs in a playoff game, you know the game plan has gone off the rails in the best way possible.
Why the Defense is the Real Story
While the highlights show Maye’s deep balls to Kayshon Boutte or Stefon Diggs, the defense is why this team is actually scary. They sacked Justin Herbert six times last Sunday. Six.
- Milton Williams and K’Lavon Chaisson each had two sacks.
- They held one of the most explosive offenses in the AFC to just 3 points.
- This was the sixth time in franchise history they’ve held a playoff opponent to a field goal or less.
It’s that "bend-but-don't-break" style, but with way more "break the other guy's quarterback" than we saw under the previous regime. Mike Vrabel has brought a specific brand of violence back to the New England front seven.
The Drama Heading Into Sunday
Today, January 17, 2026, the big talk isn't about the past—it's about the "NFL Live" curse. Every single analyst on ESPN’s panel just picked the Houston Texans to beat the Patriots tomorrow.
Mina Kimes, Ryan Clark, Dan Orlovsky—the whole crew. They all went Houston.
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The reasoning? Houston’s pass rush is terrifying, and the Patriots' offensive line has been a bit of a revolving door. Rookie tackle Will Campbell and Jared Wilson have played well, but they’ve also let Maye get hit more than anyone in New England is comfortable with.
"It's playoff football. It's going to get ugly. It's going to get nasty. But you've got to keep going." — Milton Williams
Honestly, the "underdog" narrative is weird when the Patriots are the #2 seed and playing at home. But the locker room is eating it up. Mike Vrabel literally told his players they needed to be "prepared to bleed" before the last game. Then he actually bled. You can’t script that kind of leadership.
Roster Moves and Health Updates
If you’re tracking the roster for tomorrow’s game, there’s some massive news.
Christian Gonzalez is officially cleared. He was in concussion protocol after a nasty hit in the Chargers game, but he’s off the injury report now. That’s huge because Houston’s receivers are a nightmare to cover one-on-one.
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The backfield is a bit more of a question mark. The team released D’Ernest Johnson to make room, likely for Terrell Jennings to return from IR. Rhamondre Stevenson is still the engine, though. He had 131 yards against Miami in the season finale and proved he’s a dual-threat by racking up 75 receiving yards against the Chargers.
What to Watch for Tomorrow
If you're watching the game (3:00 PM ET on ABC/ESPN), pay attention to the turnover battle.
Drake Maye is an MVP candidate, but he still has those "rookie-ish" moments where he tries to force a ball into a window that doesn't exist. Houston’s defense ranked third in the league with 19 interceptions. If the Patriots give them short fields, all the home-field advantage in the world won't save them.
Also, keep an eye on Stefon Diggs. He needs 75 yards to hit 1,000 career postseason receiving yards. Only Julian Edelman and Rob Gronkowski have done that in a Patriots jersey.
Actionable Insights for Patriots Fans Today:
- Monitor the RT spot: Check the final inactive list 90 minutes before kickoff tomorrow to see if Trent Brown (ankle) is starting or if the rookie duo has to hold the edge alone.
- Watch the Betting Lines: The spread has stayed around Patriots -3.5, but the "unanimous" Houston pick by ESPN might move some late money.
- Check Practice Squad Elevations: The Pats have until 4:00 PM today to elevate anyone for tomorrow’s game. If they bring up another defensive lineman, expect a heavy blitz package against Houston.