Patriots vs. Texans: Drake Maye, Josh McDaniels, and the Challenge of Cracking Houston’s Code
FOXBORO - If you’re looking for the heartbeat of this Patriots season, start with Mike Vrabel. He lit the fuse.
Drake Maye carried the torch. And now, it’s Josh McDaniels’ job to keep the fire burning.
After a gritty Wild Card win over the Chargers - a game won on the backs of a defense that finally clamped down - the Patriots head into Houston with a much taller task ahead. The Texans aren’t going to beat themselves. And while New England’s defense showed it can still throw a punch, asking it to hold another playoff opponent under 10 points might be a bridge too far.
That means the spotlight shifts back to Maye. Again.
The rookie quarterback has been the engine of this turnaround, and if the Patriots are going to keep this ride going, he’ll need to deliver on the biggest stage of his young career. But Maye can’t do it alone.
He’ll need protection. He’ll need a run game that doesn’t disappear.
And he’ll need McDaniels to be the chess master he’s been most of this season - maybe even better.
“I think [McDaniels], more than any coordinator I’ve played for, understands our strengths, and understands the defense’s strengths, as well,” center Garrett Bradbury said. “He does a great job of putting us in a position to succeed - whether it’s a position group or the offense as a whole. He knows where the problems are, and how we can solve them.”
The Problem: Houston’s Defense Isn’t Complicated - It’s Just That Good
The Texans aren’t trying to trick you. They’re not disguising coverages or throwing exotic blitzes at you every other snap. They’re coming straight at you - and they dare you to stop them.
That’s what makes them so dangerous.
Unlike the Chargers or Bills, who tried to confuse Maye with pre-snap movement and disguise, Houston plays it straight. They run a four-man front, lean heavily on zone coverage with a dash of man and the occasional blitz. It’s a simple scheme, but it works because the personnel is elite.
Will Anderson and Danielle Hunter are the headliners up front. Together, they’ve piled up 27 sacks this season and anchored a pass rush that’s been dominant without needing much help. Their presence allows the Texans to keep things vanilla on the back end and still get home.
Behind them, Azeez Al-Shaair and Jalen Pitre patrol the middle of the field like heat-seeking missiles. Both were All-Pro candidates this year, and they play with the kind of edge that sets the tone for the entire defense.
“Those guys, especially the linebacker level, they’re going to try to take your head off,” Maye said. “And I respect them for it. They do it at a really high level.”
On the outside, Derek Stingley Jr. and Kamari Lassiter have been ballhawks all season, combining for eight interceptions. The Texans’ zone-heavy approach keeps their eyes on the quarterback, and they’re quick to pounce on mistakes - especially from young quarterbacks.
The Patriots’ Answer: Keep It Simple, Keep It Confident
McDaniels’ offense is built to have answers. Every look, every coverage, every blitz - there’s a counter.
It’s a system that counts on the quarterback, center, and receivers being on the same page, reading the defense correctly, and adjusting accordingly. It’s how you survive when you don’t have the most talented roster on the field.
But this week, the Patriots are flipping the script.
“If the defense is gonna be predictable, and they have confidence in what they do, then we’re gonna do the same thing and just play with confidence,” Bradbury said. “We’re gonna execute the plays, and there might be some dirty four- or five-yard runs, but we’re gonna commit to it.”
Maye echoed the sentiment: “Scheme-wise, just do things that we’re good at and try to find a way every week to scheme something up if we see it. But at the same time, just try to stay ahead of the chains and know what type of game it is.”
It’s a bold approach - meeting simplicity with simplicity - but it makes sense. If Houston’s going to line up and trust their guys to win, the Patriots are betting on their own execution to carry the day.
Where McDaniels Can Tip the Scales
Of course, it’s not just about matching the Texans’ style. McDaniels will need a few well-timed curveballs.
One area to watch: when Anderson and Hunter rotate out. That’s when the Patriots may look to take deep shots, just like they did earlier this season against Myles Garrett and the Browns - another team with a top-tier, straightforward defense.
Play-action could also be a pressure point. The Texans’ aggressiveness against the run can be used against them, especially if the Patriots can stay ahead of schedule on early downs.
And don’t overlook New England’s recent success in jumbo packages. Since the bye week, they’ve averaged over 8 yards per carry when lining up with six offensive linemen. That’s the kind of physical football that can wear down even a stout front like Houston’s.
Still, this defense isn’t ranked near the top by accident. They’ve made a habit of snuffing out game plans and overwhelming offenses by doing the same few things better than anyone else.
They know where their weak spots are - and they know how you’ll try to attack them. That’s when they swarm.
That’s when they hit. And that’s when they change games.
Maye’s Margin for Error? Razor Thin
If Maye throws a pick early or takes a strip sack, the Patriots could be in trouble. Houston feeds off momentum, and once they’ve got it, they don’t let go.
That’s when McDaniels’ experience becomes critical. He’s the one who’s guided Maye through the ups and downs of this season.
He’s the one with the playbook and the pulse of the offense. And he might be the one who needs to steady the ship if things get rocky on Sunday.
This Patriots season started with Vrabel’s spark. Maye has carried the load. But now, with the divisional round looming and a ferocious Texans defense waiting, it’s McDaniels’ moment.
Welcome back to the big stage, Josh. The Patriots are going to need your best.