New England’s defense has allowed just 9.5 points per game in the playoffs.
The talk leading up to the Patriots vs. Texans divisional playoff matchup was centered around Houston’s defense. That resulted in many media members picking the Texans to prevail.
New England’s defense took note.
“We see that. We just stay quiet. We let our game speak,” Christian Barmore said. “We’re not about the talk, we’re about the actions. We let the game speak and see what happens.”
Taking the field on Sunday, their game spoke for them. New England’s defense held C.J. Stroud and the Texans to just 16 points while forcing five turnovers — one directly resuling in six points on an interception return for Marcus Jones.
“It definitely fueled the whole defense. Nobody has been talking about our defense all year. We’ll see what they say today,” Milton Williams said. “Every week, we’re trying to come out and dominate knowing that they do have a great defense, but in our minds, it was our defense versus their defense. See who could make more plays, create more turnovers, stop the run and get the ball back to our offense.”
Through the first two rounds of the playoffs, New England’s defense is allowing just 9.5 points per game. Beyond intercepting Stroud four times on Sunday, a healthy run defense flashed their early season dominance holding Houston to 41 rushing yards on 21 designed carries.
“Everybody was talking about them all week and I think it just turned us up,” safety Jaylinn Hawkins said. “Respect to them because they balled. They get after it. We just wanted to show what we can do and that’s what showed tonight.”
As the Patriots now have clinched their spot in the AFC Championship Game behind a defensive performance, wide receiver Stefon Diggs hopes the national narrative regarding the defense stays the same going forward.
“It’s a good thing,” the veteran said. “Hopefully they do that again this week because that’s another good defense we’re about to go see. I feel like I spoke on it not too long ago, but playing with a chip on our shoulder. I think we’re one of those teams that play better with a chip on our shoulder – when everybody kind of counted us out.
“I think there was a handful of commentators and people, the little tidbits that I do see – because I try not to see too much – they all picked Houston to win. I mean, for a good reason – that’s a good football team, and I understand their vantage point. All we can do is come in, work hard during the week and put ourselves in the best position to win the game.”
Category: General Sports
