On Jan. 14, most eyes were set on Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, Massachusetts for a playoff football game between the New England Patriots and the Houston Texans. The game was one of 2 divisional round games in the NFL playoffs. Going into the game, Emma Maxwell ‘17 had high hopes about the Patriots,“The Patriots are going to kick the Texans’ butt! Tom Brady is going to take over the game and do what he does best, win!” Maxwell said.

New England was a sixteen point favorite in the match up. Many thought this game should have been an easy walk in the park for the strong #1 ranked AFC football team. This season, the team’s offense and defense have been top ranked throughout the league and the AFC. The offense has been lead by offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels, who is rumored to be leaving New England at the end of the season for a head coaching job in San Francisco. When Tom Brady was asked about the potential McDaniels separation, he had nothing but kind words to say. “I would hate to lose him. But I think it’s always aspirational for a coach because it’s great to lead a team and lead an organization. He’s been spectacular in every way for me.” Brady credits most of his success to head coach Bill Belichick and OC McDaniels.
What separates The Patriots from any other team left in the playoffs is their power on both sides of the ball. Most of this credit goes to the coaching staff New England has. Like McDaniels, defensive coordinator Matt Patricia is expected to leave after this season, as well, to pursue a head coaching position. With the power house New England has built and the success that has been achieved, all players, staff and certainly fans are hoping these rumours don’t come true.
Despite Patriot’s proven success this season, Rachel Ash ‘19 was very optimistic about the Texans’ chances to win the game. “It’ll be a close one, but I know my Houston Texans will come out on top. Brock Osweiler got his big contract and he is going to show the world what he is all about. Plus he already beat the patriots once before, way back with the Denver Broncos,” she said. Houston fans may have had a lot of hope, but they had to pray for a win against New England, the favorite in the Las Vegas Superbook for this match up.

Just like Maxwell- and many others predicted, The Patriots did indeed go to town on the Texans. The final score ended up being 34-16. The Patriots lived up to the Las Vegas Superbook spread and surpassed a sixteen point win. This win secures the Patriots a trip to the AFC Championship game which will be held in Foxboro yet again since the Patriots have home field advantage. Sunday, Jan.22, the Patriots will play the Pittsburgh Steelers with hopes to punch a ticket to this year’s Super Bowl. Vegas has the Patriots as a six point favorite in this match.