Patriots links 1/16/26: Pats-Texans divisional round keys to victory

TEAM TALK

• Patriots-Texans updated Injury Report.
• Evan Lazar’s Patriots Gameplan: 3 Keys to victory in Sunday’s divisional round matchup vs. the Texans. ‘The Texans defense is very talented, but their simplicity could favor the Patriots, who have an elite schemer in McDaniels calling plays for their talented second-year quarterback.’
• Mike Dussault’s Three to Watch: Key Patriots-Texans matchups. 1. Protect the Edges. This is the story of the game.
• Game Preview: Evan Lazar and Mike Dussault scout the Pats-Texans matchups. (11 min. video)
• Press Conferences: Josh McDaniels – Ashton Grant, Todd Downing, Doug Marrone, Tony Dews – Zak Kuhr – Jeremy Springer – Milton Williams, Jaylinn Hawkins, Rhamondre Stevenson, TreVeyon Henderson, Khyiris Tonga, Kayshon Boutte.
• Throwback: Top 5 Patriots AFC Divisional plays from the 2000s. (2 min. video)
• Patriots Unfiltered on TV: Divisional round preview, 1-on-1 with Robert Spillane; More. (22 min. video)
• Patriots Unfiltered: Texans preview, team/league updates, Divisional round picks. (2 hours)

LOCAL LINKS

• Thomas Murphy’s Monster Keys to Patriots victory over the Texans. 1. Keep the Franchise pretty.
• Steve Balestrieri posts his Pats–Texans key matchups. Patriots WRs vs. Texans secondary — Edge New England; Patriots RBs vs. Texans front seven — Edge Houston; More!
• Karen Guregian looks at the Patriots-Texans matchups to see who has the edge at each position.
• Andrew Callahan’s Friday Five: Why DeMario Douglas might key a Pats win, and more playoff thoughts.
• Karen Guregian hears from Dante Scarnecchia on how to stop the vaunted Texans front.
• Karen Guregian highlights Drake Maye with a sobering observation about Houston’s linebackers, “They’re going to try to take your head off.”
• Mark Daniels notes the Patriots rested their best defenders for a month and the gamble paid off.
• Mark Daniels finds that Will Campbell knows exactly what he’s up against in this week’s matchup.
• Mike D’Abate writes how the electric Patriots offense must prepare for a gritty Texans defense.
• Alex Barth says Christian Gonzalez was one of 6 Patriots with upgraded status on Thursday injury report.
• Mark Daniels notes DT Khyiris Tonga (foot) is optimistic about playing this week.
• Karen Guregian points out the Texans staff is packed with ex-Patriots coaches, and explores how that may factor into Sunday’s game.
• A Clare Perspective podcast: Clare and Evan Lazar discuss the Texans matchup and more. (35 min.)

NATIONAL NEWS

• Frank Schwab (Yahoo! Sports) Texans-Patriots NFL divisional round playoff preview: Houston’s defense tries to contain Drake Maye. Pats win 16-9.
• Anthony Dabbundo (The Ringer) X Factors for every team still in the playoffs. Patriots: Rhamondre Stevenson and TreVeyon Henderson as pass catchers; Texans: The non–Nico Collins wide receivers.
• Matt Verderame (SI) Key matchups, predictions for every 2025 Divisional Round playoff game. “New England has a more well-rounded team. Houston has a monster defense.” Pats win 13-10.
• Henry McKenna (FOX Sports) The Blueprint: How Tom Brady’s example gives Drake Maye ‘answers to the test’.
• **Henry...