So, the Houston Texans just went into Pittsburgh and basically took the soul out of Acrisure Stadium. If you watched that Wild Card game on Monday night, you saw a defensive masterclass. Seriously. They didn't just beat the Steelers; they dismantled them 30-6. It was the first road playoff win in the history of the franchise, and honestly, it wasn't even as close as the score looked.
Now everyone is asking the same thing: who will Texans play next?
The answer is set. Pack your cold-weather gear because Houston is heading to Foxborough. The Houston Texans will play the New England Patriots in the AFC Divisional Round.
The Matchup Details You Need
This isn't a "maybe" or a "depends on the Sunday night game" situation. The bracket is locked. Because the Buffalo Bills (the 6-seed) upset the Jacksonville Jaguars, and the Texans (the 5-seed) took care of business against the 4-seed Steelers, the seeding dictates that Houston travels to the 2-seed Patriots.
Mark your calendars. It’s happening Sunday, January 18, 2026. Kickoff is scheduled for 3:00 PM ET (2:00 PM for those of us back in Houston). You can catch it on ESPN and ABC.
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Gillette Stadium is going to be loud. It’s going to be freezing. And for DeMeco Ryans, it’s the next hurdle in what has become a legendary turnaround season.
Why This Game Feels Different
Think back to November. The Texans were 3-5. People were talking about "next year" and wondering if the early-season magic had fizzled out. Then, something clicked. A nine-game winning streak followed. 12-5 finish.
They are the hottest team in football right now, but the Patriots are a different beast. New England isn't the same dynasty from the Brady era, obviously, but they secured the 2-seed for a reason. They’ve had an extra week to rest while C.J. Stroud was dodging blitzes in the Pittsburgh cold.
The defense is the story here. Houston’s unit is currently ranked as the best in the league. In the Wild Card round, they sacked Aaron Rodgers four times. Read that again. They made a first-ballot Hall of Famer look human. Sheldon Rankins and Calen Bullock both found the end zone on defensive scores in the fourth quarter. If they play like that in Massachusetts, the Patriots are in for a long afternoon.
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Key Storylines and Injuries
You can't talk about this game without mentioning the Stefon Diggs factor. He’s with the Patriots now. Seeing him line up against his former teammates with a trip to the AFC Championship on the line? That's the kind of drama scriptwriters dream up.
But there are some "kinda" scary things on the injury report for Houston:
- Nico Collins is dealing with a concussion. He’s the engine of that passing game.
- Denico Autry and Azeez Al-Shaair both missed practice time this week with knee issues.
- Tytus Howard is fighting through an ankle injury.
The Patriots aren't exactly healthy either. Christian Gonzalez and Terrell Jennings are both in concussion protocol. It’s January football; everyone is held together by athletic tape and sheer willpower at this point.
What Most People Get Wrong About This Matchup
Most national pundits are going to point to the "playoff experience" of the Patriots or the home-field advantage of Gillette Stadium. Don't buy into the "New England Mystique" too much. This Houston team just won their first-ever road playoff game in a stadium that is notoriously difficult for visitors. They aren't scared of the noise or the weather.
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The real battle is the chess match between DeMeco Ryans and the New England coaching staff. Houston’s defense thrives on chaos and pressure. If they can get to the Patriots' quarterback early and often, the "who will Texans play next" question will quickly shift to "when is the AFC Championship?"
Actionable Next Steps for Fans
- Watch the Weather: Foxborough in mid-January is unpredictable. High winds or heavy snow could turn this into a ground-and-pound game, which favors the Texans' current defensive momentum but might limit Stroud's deep ball.
- Check the Inactives: Final lists come out 90 minutes before the 3:00 PM ET kickoff. If Nico Collins isn't cleared, expect a heavy dose of Joe Mixon and the run game.
- Set Your DVR: Even if you’re watching live, this is a "history in the making" type of game for Houston.
The winner of this clash moves on to the AFC Championship Game on January 25, 2025. If the Broncos win their matchup against the Bills, the winner of Texans-Patriots will head to Denver. If the Bills pull another upset, the AFC title game could actually be hosted at the winner of this game's home stadium.
Buckle up. It’s going to be a wild Sunday in New England.