Patriots Fans Are Back-and DeMeco Ryans Might’ve Just Poked the Bear
For years, Gillette Stadium was the fortress of the NFL. A place where visiting teams came to die slow, cold, and loud deaths.
The dynasty days may feel like a distant memory, but if you’ve been paying attention this season, you know something’s stirring again in Foxborough. And with the Patriots back in the playoff hunt under Mike Vrabel, it’s not just the team that’s reawakened-it’s the fans, too.
After two straight 4-13 seasons, New England’s turnaround has been swift and dramatic. Vrabel’s arrival brought a jolt of energy and accountability, and the results speak for themselves.
The Patriots are back in the postseason, and their fanbase is responding in kind. Gillette was rocking during last week’s win over the Chargers, and the noise wasn’t just for show-it was a factor.
That home-field advantage that once made Foxborough a nightmare for opponents? It’s back.
And now, as the Texans prepare to walk into that environment for a divisional-round clash, their head coach might’ve unintentionally given Patriots fans even more reason to crank up the volume.
DeMeco Ryans Downplays the Crowd-But That Might Backfire
After Houston’s gritty road win in Pittsburgh, DeMeco Ryans was asked about the challenge of playing in hostile environments during the playoffs. His response? Calm, confident-and maybe a little dismissive.
“Every place is difficult in the playoffs,” Ryans said. “This was a really cool environment (in Pittsburgh).
I’m proud of our guys for focusing on what really matters - and it’s not the environment. It’s about executing and playing good football."
Now, Ryans isn’t wrong. Execution wins games.
But brushing off the impact of a playoff crowd in Foxborough? That’s a bold stance.
Because here’s the thing: playoff atmospheres matter. They rattle communication.
They force false starts. They turn third-and-manageable into third-and-long.
The crowd might not make the tackles, but they can absolutely influence the game. We’ve seen it in Seattle.
We’ve seen it in Kansas City. And we’ve seen it for years in New England.
January in Foxborough Hits Different
Let’s not forget the other factor here: the weather. The Texans are a dome team, and they’re heading into a mid-January game in Massachusetts.
We’re talking 30s, maybe low 40s, wind chill cutting through gloves and sleeves. For a team used to climate-controlled conditions, that’s a real adjustment.
Combine the cold with a juiced-up Patriots crowd that now has a little extra motivation thanks to Ryans’ comments? That’s a recipe for chaos.
Ryans didn’t intend to throw gasoline on the fire, but in a playoff setting, even a flicker can turn into a blaze. Patriots fans have been waiting years for a reason to believe again-and now they’ve got it. If last week was any indication, Gillette Stadium is going to be deafening on Sunday.
And if the Texans struggle to get plays in, if the snap count gets disrupted, if the offense starts to unravel just a bit? Don’t be surprised if Ryans’ words are pinned up in the Patriots’ locker room-and echoing in the crowd’s roar all game long.