As the Patriots gear up for their divisional-round clash with the Texans, most of the pregame chatter has focused on New England’s offense squaring off against one of the stingiest defenses in the league. And sure, that’s a headline-worthy matchup. But if we’re being honest, the more pressing concern might be on the other side of the ball-because the Patriots’ defense is walking into a serious test against a Texans ground game that’s heating up at the worst possible time for New England.
Let’s rewind a bit. For the better part of the season, the Patriots’ run defense was one of their more reliable units.
In fact, they didn’t allow a single opposing running back to crack 50 yards until Week 10. That kind of consistency up front is hard to come by in today’s NFL.
But since that benchmark game against the Bucs, things have started to unravel. The floodgates haven’t burst wide open, but they’ve definitely sprung some leaks-multiple opponents have now gone over the 100-yard mark, and the timing couldn’t be worse.
Now comes Houston, bringing with them a backfield tandem that’s tailor-made to expose those very weaknesses. Nick Chubb is the known quantity-power, vision, and playoff experience.
But it’s Woody Marks who’s emerging as the real X-factor. Coming off a breakout performance against the Steelers, Marks looked every bit like a back ready to take over a postseason game.
He gashed Pittsburgh’s front for 112 yards and a touchdown on 19 carries, and here’s the kicker: not a single one of those carries went for zero or negative yardage. That’s 19 straight positive plays-against a defense anchored by T.J.
Watt, no less.
That kind of efficiency is dangerous. It keeps the offense on schedule, it wears down a defense, and most importantly, it opens up everything else for Houston-including CJ Stroud’s play-action game. If the Patriots can’t get Marks under control early, this game could tilt in the Texans’ favor fast.
The silver lining for New England? Reinforcements are on the way.
Harold Landry III and Robert Spillane are back in action, giving the defensive front a much-needed boost in both physicality and experience. And perhaps even more critical, Khyiris Tonga returned to practice this week.
Tonga’s been one of the Patriots’ most effective run defenders all year, anchoring the interior and clogging up lanes. If he’s able to go on Sunday, that could be a game-changer in slowing down Marks and Chubb.
Milton Williams is also back in the mix, which adds another layer of depth to the rotation. But it’s not just about stuffing the run-this defense also needs to get after CJ Stroud.
The rookie quarterback has shown flashes of brilliance all year, but he’s also shown that when you pressure him, he’ll give you chances. The Patriots have to capitalize on that.
Disrupting Stroud in the pocket, forcing him into hurried throws, and creating turnover opportunities could be the difference between advancing and going home.
The good news? We saw signs of life from this defense last week, especially in the second half. They tightened up when it mattered most, and that kind of resilience is exactly what they’ll need against a Texans team that’s found its rhythm at just the right time.
So while the spotlight may be on the Patriots’ offense, don’t be surprised if it’s the defense that ends up telling the story of this game. The challenge is clear. Now it’s time to see if this group is ready to rise to the occasion when everything’s on the line.