FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — The NFL has increasingly become an offensive league in recent years. The rules have been tailored to help the offense and limit the defense. Quarterbacks are protected at all costs. If a defender’s hand grazes their helmet or they land on them wrong, it’s a 15-yard penalty.
That’s why Sunday’s AFC Divisional playoff game between the Patriots and Texans at Gillette Stadium is a fun throwback.
If you like shootouts, this game is not for you. This game will be about defense, defense and defense. It will be about pressuring the quarterback, hitting ball carriers and taking the ball away.
These two teams are coached by former linebackers and it shows. The Patriots are a reflection of Mike Vrabel, who has flipped the Patriots in one season. The Texans are a reflection of DeMeco Ryans, who has led Houston to the playoffs in each of his three seasons in charge.