The road to Super Bowl LX in Santa Clara is heating up, and the divisional round of the NFL playoffs is set to deliver some epic clashes! This year, we're down to the final eight teams, all vying for a shot at the championship. One of the most anticipated matchups features the Houston Texans and the New England Patriots, and here's how you can catch all the action on ESPN.
After a stunning road victory in the wild-card round against the Pittsburgh Steelers, the Houston Texans, boasting a formidable defense, are heading north to face Drake Maye and the New England Patriots. The Patriots earned their spot by defeating the Los Angeles Chargers in their own wild-card game.
Did you know? New England has a strong historical advantage over Houston, with an all-time record of 11-4, including a 2-0 record in the postseason. The last time these two teams met was in Week 6 of the 2024 season. C.J. Stroud led the Texans to victory, throwing for three touchdowns in a game where Maye, in his first career start, also threw three touchdowns but faced challenges with interceptions, a fumble, and multiple sacks.
In that 2024 game, Stefon Diggs, now Maye's primary target for New England, had a notable performance with six catches for 77 yards and a touchdown for the Texans. This win was particularly significant as it marked Houston's first victory in Foxborough.
So, how can you watch this exciting game?
- Game Time: The Texans vs. Patriots game is scheduled for 3 p.m. ET on Sunday, January 18th. Pre-game coverage begins with "Postseason NFL Countdown" at noon ET.
- Where to Watch: You can watch the game on ESPN, ABC, the ESPN App, and the NFL streaming hub.
But here's where it gets interesting... ESPN is also bringing back "NFL Divisional Playbook with Next Gen Stats" for its divisional round playoff game. This special program, available to ESPN Unlimited plan subscribers in the ESPN App, offers a deeper dive into the game with real-time data, advanced metrics, and analytics-driven commentary. It's powered by the NFL's Next Gen Stats and Adrenaline's TruPlay AI. Fans can enjoy a comprehensive view with a 22-man, all-field camera angle, and TruPlay AI's predictive engine adjusts to personnel, formations, and pre-snap movement in real-time.
Want more NFL content? Head over to the ESPN NFL hub page for the latest news, analysis, scores, stats, and schedules.
What are your thoughts on this matchup? Do you think the Texans can continue their winning streak against the Patriots? Share your predictions and opinions in the comments below! What are your expectations for Drake Maye in this game?
