The storyline was supposed to be straightforward. Hunter Henry, dealing with a knee issue throughout the week, was cleared to play. Christian Gonzalez escaped concussion protocol. The Patriots, hosting at Gillette Stadium as heavy favorites, had all hands on deck.
Then the game started. And for about three minutes, nothing worked.
New England's first offensive possession looked almost jarringly bad. Rhamondre Stevenson got stuffed for no gain. Drake Maye's pass to Hunter Henry—the very tight end everyone spent the week worrying about—fell incomplete. Stefon Diggs hauled in a five-yard reception that went nowhere close to the sticks. Punt.
If you've watched the Patriots all season, you know this isn't who they are. This team scored the second-most points in the NFL during the regular season. Maye led the league in passer rating at 113.5. Something was off.
"We just have to keep doing the things that we're doing, just do them a little better," Mike Vrabel said earlier this week, per WEEI. "There's no secret formula." Turns out, there really isn't. The Patriots found themselves on the second drive, and Maye reminded everyone why he's the frontrunner for MVP.
Two touches for Stevenson: 29 yards. The running back looked like the player who's been surging over the final stretch of the season, not the guy who fumbled too much early in the year. When the Texans brought pressure, Maye audibled. When they dropped into coverage, he found soft spots. On fourth-and-short, he didn't flinch—DeMario Douglas running a clean route over the middle, Maye delivering a strike, 28-yard touchdown.
Just like that, 7-0 Patriots. The slow start became a footnote.
Here's what matters about Henry: he's still there. Still running those seam routes that have made him Maye's safety valve all season. The knee limitation everyone fretted about during the week? Limited practice Wednesday, full participation Thursday and Friday. No game designation. The tight end finished the regular season with 63 catches for 832 yards and a team-high eight receiving touchdowns. Those aren't numbers you accumulate by accident.
What makes this matchup fascinating is the chess match between the Patriots offense and Houston's No. 1-ranked defense. The Texans have Will Anderson Jr. and Danielle Hunter—arguably the best edge duo in the NFL—combining for 28.5 sacks and 187 quarterback pressures this season. That's over 10 pressures per game. Anderson typically lines up against the right tackle, meaning Morgan Moses is getting tested every snap. Hunter goes at rookie left tackle Will Campbell, who struggled badly against the Chargers last week (five disruptions, including a sack).
This is where Henry becomes essential. He can chip edge rushers without leaving Maye without a safety outlet. He's not just a receiving threat—he's scheme protection disguised as a pass catcher.
The Texans arrived on a 10-game winning streak, the longest active streak in the NFL. Their defense held Aaron Rodgers and the Steelers to six points in the Wild Card round. They forced 19 interceptions and 10 fumbles during the regular season—second-highest takeaway total in the league. This is not a unit that gives you freebies.
But the Patriots have something the Steelers didn't: Drake Maye playing like a genuine MVP candidate. His 72% completion rate was the best in the league. His deep-ball accuracy—52.1% on passes over 20 air yards—is ridiculous by modern standards. And unlike last week, when he threw two turnovers against the Chargers, Maye's decision-making has been cleaner as the season progressed.
Vrabel's first year back in New England has been nothing short of remarkable. A franchise that went 4-13 last season finished 14-3, capturing the AFC East for the first time since 2019. The 10-win improvement ties an NFL record. Vrabel earned Coach of the Year in 2021 with Tennessee, but this might be his masterpiece—turning a rebuilding roster into a legitimate Super Bowl contender.
The Patriots haven't won a playoff game since Super Bowl LIII against the Rams in February 2019. That's an eternity in Foxborough terms. This franchise won six championships under Belichick and Brady. The next chapter is being written now, with Vrabel and Maye at the controls.
As for Hunter Henry? Stop asking if he's playing. He's playing. And he's exactly where he needs to be—running seams, catching touchdowns, keeping Drake Maye upright. The Patriots' slow start lasted exactly one possession. The rest of this game is about whether Houston can contain the most efficient quarterback in football.
Right now, that looks like a problem the Texans can't solve.