The New England Patriots are moving on. After a suffocating 16-3 victory over the Los Angeles Chargers in the Wild Card round, the question of who do the patriots play next has a concrete answer: the Houston Texans. Foxborough is already buzzing. Gillette Stadium will host this high-stakes AFC Divisional Round matchup on Sunday, January 18, 2026, at 3:00 PM ET.
Honestly, the atmosphere in New England feels different this year. It's the Mike Vrabel effect, combined with the emergence of Drake Maye. Watching the defense dismantle Justin Herbert last week was a throwback to the glory years, but the Texans present a completely different set of problems.
Breaking Down the Matchup: Houston Texans at New England Patriots
The Texans advanced to this stage after a dominant 30-6 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers. They didn't just win; they bullied a tough Steelers defense. Now, they bring that momentum to Foxborough.
New England finished the regular season at 14-3, securing the top spot in the AFC East. Houston, meanwhile, has been the "team nobody wants to play" for the last month. They play with a chip on their shoulder that mirrors Vrabel’s own coaching style.
Game Info and How to Watch
- Date: Sunday, January 18, 2026
- Time: 3:00 PM ET
- Venue: Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, MA
- TV/Streaming: ESPN, ABC, and WCVB Channel 5 (Local)
- Radio: 98.5 The Sports Hub
Tickets are already hitting the secondary market with a vengeance. If you're looking to head to the game, expect to pay a premium. Recent listings on SeatGeek show "get-in" prices starting around $301, and that’s for the nosebleeds.
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Why This Game is a Massive Test for Drake Maye
Drake Maye’s playoff debut was... interesting. He didn't blow the doors off the stadium statistically, but he was efficient. He looked like a veteran when the pocket collapsed. He finished the Chargers game with one touchdown and, more importantly, zero turnovers.
But the Texans' pass rush is a different animal. They rotate bodies and keep their edge rushers fresh. Maye's ability to identify the blitz will be the deciding factor in who do the patriots play next—meaning, whether they advance to the AFC Championship or head home.
If Maye can utilize Rhamondre Stevenson effectively, it opens up the play-action game. Stevenson has been a monster lately, recently earning AFC Offensive Player of the Week honors after a three-touchdown performance against Miami in Week 18. The Patriots need that version of "Mondo" to show up on Sunday.
The Vrabel vs. Ryans Chess Match
Mike Vrabel against DeMeco Ryans. It’s a defensive purist’s dream. Both coaches have transformed their respective units into disciplined, hard-hitting groups.
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Vrabel has been vocal about the "necessary fixes" needed after the Wild Card win. Despite the low score allowed, the Patriots gave up some chunk plays in the second half that could have been disastrous against a more opportunistic offense. Houston is exactly that. They hunt for the deep ball and thrive on defensive lapses.
Key Players to Watch
- TreVeyon Henderson (RB, Patriots): The rookie has been a lightning bolt. He was recently nominated for the Pepsi Zero Sugar Rookie of the Year, and his ability to catch passes out of the backfield could be the "X-factor" against Houston’s linebackers.
- The Patriots Secondary: They held the Chargers to 3 points. If they can replicate that against Houston's receiving corps, the Texans will struggle to keep pace.
- Hunter Henry (TE, Patriots): In the red zone, Henry remains Maye’s security blanket. Houston has struggled all year against athletic tight ends.
Looking Past the Divisional Round
If the Patriots take care of business at home, the path to the Super Bowl goes through Foxborough (or potentially Denver, depending on the other side of the bracket).
The Buffalo Bills and Denver Broncos are facing off on Saturday, January 17. The winner of that game would be the Patriots' opponent in the AFC Championship if New England wins on Sunday. The dream scenario for many fans is a home AFC Championship game on January 25, which would put the Patriots just one step away from Super Bowl LX in Santa Clara.
The 2026 Regular Season Opponents
While the focus is 100% on the Texans right now, the NFL has already finalized the opponents for the 2026 regular season. Whether the Patriots win it all or not, the 2026 schedule looks brutal:
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- Home: Bills, Dolphins, Jets, Broncos, Raiders, Packers, Vikings, and Steelers.
- Away: Bills, Dolphins, Jets, Bears, Lions, Chiefs, Chargers, Seahawks, and Jaguars.
Visiting the Chiefs (likely with a healthy Patrick Mahomes) and the "New Highmark Stadium" in Buffalo will be massive hurdles next year. But that's a conversation for February. Right now, it's all about Houston.
Actionable Insights for Fans
If you are planning to follow the game or bet on the outcome, keep these points in mind:
- Check the Injury Report: Monitor the status of the Patriots' offensive line. Maye needs time to throw, and any lingering injuries there could tilt the scales toward Houston.
- Arrival Time: If you have tickets, get to Gillette Stadium early. Security is tighter during the playoffs, and the "Patriot Place" atmosphere will be at peak capacity hours before kickoff.
- Watch the Weather: Foxborough in January is unpredictable. A "frozen tundra" game favors the Patriots' heavy run scheme with Stevenson and Henderson.
The Patriots have a real shot here. They have the coaching, the defense, and a young quarterback who doesn't seem to know what "pressure" feels like. Sunday can't come soon enough.
Next Steps:
- Verify your local TV listings to ensure you have access to the ABC/ESPN broadcast.
- Download the official Patriots app for real-time play-by-play and defensive highlights during the game.
- Monitor the Buffalo vs. Denver game on Saturday to see who the potential AFC Championship opponent would be.