As the playoffs heat up and the stakes get higher, it’s no longer about who’s been flying under the radar all season - it’s about who’s ready to step up in the moment. For the New England Patriots, that spotlight could very well fall on an unlikely name: Thayer Munford Jr.
The Patriots are gearing up for a heavyweight matchup against the Houston Texans in the divisional round this Sunday at Gillette Stadium. And while there’s plenty to like about New England’s chances, there’s also one very real concern: how they’re going to handle Houston’s ferocious pass rush. That’s where Munford - a sixth offensive lineman who’s quietly become a key piece in the Patriots’ game plan - could make a serious impact.
Let’s start with what the Patriots are up against.
Houston’s defense isn’t just good - it’s built to dominate.
The Texans rank second in Defensive DVOA, trailing only the Seattle Seahawks, and they’ve done it without relying heavily on blitzing or exotic coverages. In fact, they blitz on just 18.9% of their snaps - fifth-lowest in the league - but still managed to rack up 47 sacks, good for a tie for sixth-most in the NFL. That’s what happens when you’ve got edge rushers like Danielle Hunter and Will Anderson Jr. wrecking shop, and interior linemen like Sheldon Rankins and Tommy Togiai collapsing pockets from the inside.
And while other defenses are leaning into complex coverage disguises and safety rotations, Houston keeps it relatively straightforward - just 21.4% of their snaps feature safety switches. Why complicate things when you’ve got the NFL’s top corner in Derek Stingley Jr., a rising star in Kamari Lassiter, elite deep coverage from Calen Bullock, and Jalen Pitre locking down the slot and box?
This defense doesn’t need smoke and mirrors. They win because their guys are better. Period.
Which brings us to the Patriots’ offensive line - a unit that’s held up reasonably well, but now faces its toughest test yet.
New England’s tackle duo - rookie Will Campbell on the left and veteran Morgan Moses on the right - have been serviceable. But no one’s pretending they’re going to completely neutralize Hunter and Anderson. And the interior, while solid, will be under serious pressure from Houston’s deep rotation of defensive tackles and active linebackers.
So how do you fight strength with strength?
You bring in more muscle. Enter Thayer Munford Jr.
If you’re a diehard Patriots fan, you’ve probably been tracking Munford’s journey. But if not, don’t worry - his rise has been quiet, but significant. Originally a seventh-round pick by the Raiders in 2022, Munford bounced between practice squads in Las Vegas, Cleveland, and New England before finally earning a spot on the Patriots’ active roster in Week 13 of this season.
Now, he’s not being asked to be the next franchise left tackle. He’s being asked to do something much more specific - and that’s where he’s thriving.
Head coach Mike Vrabel and his staff identified a role that fits Munford’s skill set perfectly: sixth offensive lineman in heavy formations. It’s a job that requires physicality, discipline, and just enough mobility to set the edge or seal off interior defenders - and Munford has delivered.
“We’re open to everybody’s idea,” Vrabel said earlier this month, when asked how the team found a fit for Munford. “Any scout, coach, or anybody that has an idea about a player that they believe strongly in - we’re open to all those ideas. Then we try to come up with the best plan for the team and the right fit.”
That openness has paid off. From Weeks 1 through 12, the Patriots used a six-offensive-lineman set just 21 times.
Since Week 13 - the week Munford joined the active roster - they’ve rolled it out 67 times. And the results speak for themselves.
With six linemen on the field, quarterback Drake Maye has completed 7 of 13 passes for 77 yards, three touchdowns, no interceptions, and posted a passer rating of 111.2. He’s been sacked just once and pressured only four times in those sets.
And the run game? It’s been downright nasty.
In those same six-lineman formations, New England has rushed for 314 yards and a league-best 10 touchdowns. Since Munford’s arrival, those numbers have jumped to 407 yards on just 52 carries - a blistering 7.8 yards per attempt - with seven touchdowns.
That’s not just good. That’s game-changing.
Vrabel described it as “adding some variety,” but it’s more than that. It’s a calculated shift in identity - a way to slow down aggressive defenses, create mismatches at the line of scrimmage, and give Maye just enough breathing room to operate. And it’s working.
Now, no one’s saying Munford is about to become a full-time starter. That’s a conversation for another day. But right now, in this moment, his role is clear - and it’s crucial.
If he’s healthy enough to go, Munford could be the key to keeping Maye upright and keeping the offense on schedule. He’s helping open up the run game, buy time against elite edge rushers, and give this Patriots offense a physical edge it desperately needs against a Texans defense that doesn’t give you many second chances.
In a postseason where every snap matters, sometimes the biggest difference-makers aren’t the stars - they’re the guys who step into the right role at the right time. That’s exactly what Thayer Munford Jr. is doing for New England.
And if the Patriots are still standing after Sunday, don’t be surprised if he’s one of the reasons why.