Morning Sports Update
“I wouldn’t say one of the toughest,” Boutte told reporters on if the Texans’ defense is one of the hardest he’s had to prepare for.
Kayshon Boutte not fearing Texans’ defense: The Houston Texans arguably have the league’s best defense, but Kayshon Boutte isn’t intimidated by the unit ahead of the New England Patriots’ divisional round matchup against them on Sunday.
The Patriots’ wide receiver didn’t seem too concerned about having to play the Texans’ defense when he was asked if it was one of the toughest units he’s had to prepare for in his three-year NFL career.
“I wouldn’t say one of the toughest,” Boutte told reporters. “At the end of the day, we know we’re going to get man coverage. We’ve gotta beat it. It’s that simple.
“We’re going to do the same things we’ve been doing. At the end of the day, we want to make them try to adjust to how we play. They’re not too complicated on defense. Not too many different looks. We get a good tell at what they’re doing. But just being us.”
The Texans have the league’s top total defense, allowing just 277.2 yards per game in the regular season. They were also second in scoring defense in the regular season, surrendering 17.4 points per game.
But to Boutte’s point, the Texans’ defense isn’t all that complicated from a scheme standpoint. As pointed out by MatchQuarters’ Cody Alexander, the Texans’ defense is the least diverse in scheme usage in the NFL. They’re also 32nd in blitz rate.
Of course, that means the Texans’ defense is thriving on sheer talent. Star edge rusher Will Anderson Jr. and Danielle Hunter have combined for 28.5 sacks in the regular season and postseason, helping Houston finish tied for seventh in sacks during the regular season.
So, Boutte isn’t totally dismissing the Texans’ defense.
“Obviously, [Houston has] a good unit,” Boutte said. “No. 1 ranked defense, whatever you want to say. But I mean, we’re a good offense too. We’re not going to discredit ourselves. Just keep doing the same things we’ve been doing, honestly.”
When the Patriots’ offense is on the field on Sunday, it will be a true battle of strength against strength. New England’s offense was third in yards and second in points in the regular season. Drake Maye was the catalyst of the unit, scoring 35 total touchdowns to give him serious MVP consideration.
Sunday might also mark the strides Maye has made as a quarterback in just a short amount of time. He made his NFL debut against the Texans in Week 6 last season, showing some flashes. While Maye threw for 243 yards and three touchdowns in that game, he also made some rookie mistakes, like throwing two interceptions and losing a fumble.
But one of the noteworthy plays Maye made in that game was a 40-yard touchdown pass on a deep ball to Boutte. Plays like that give Boutte some confidence going into Sunday’s game, even if All-Pro cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. lines up across from him.
“I think they’re just physical cornerbacks,” Boutte said of Houston’s secondary. “But at the end of the day, I’m physical too. So that’s a matchup I like every day of the week.
“Derek Stingley, good cornerback. Played against him in college, last year too, but I look forward to the matchup.”
Trivia: The Patriots will face the team that led the league in yards allowed in the regular season on Sunday. When was the last time they faced the No. 1 defense in the NFL in the postseason?
(Hint: It was a game against a divisional rival.)
Answer below.
Scores and schedules:
The Bruins won their fifth game in a row and closed out their homestand undefeated as they took down the Kraken, 4-2, on Thursday. Boston will hit the road for its next two games. The Bruins will take on the Blackhawks in Chicago at 8 p.m. on Saturday.
The Celtics also won on Thursday night, taking down the Heat in Miami, 119-114. Anfernee Simons scored 39 points in the win. Boston will be back in action Saturday night as the Celtics take on the Hawks in Atlanta at 7:30 p.m.
Finally, the Patriots are playing in the divisional round of the NFL playoffs for the first time in seven years this weekend. They host the Texans on Sunday, with kickoff set for 3 p.m. The Patriots would host the AFC Championship Game if they win and the Bills beat the Broncos on Saturday.
The Boston sports scene sautes Zdeno Chara:
As Zdeno Chara got his number retired on Thursday, both Fenway Park and Gillette Stadium honored the Bruins’ icon. Fenway Park displayed Chara’s No. 33 on the video boards across the ballpark, while Gillette Stadium was lit black and gold.
Dodgers sign MLB’s top free agent
The two-time defending World Series champions are getting even better. Star outfielder Kyle Tucker agreed to a four-year, $240 million deal with the Dodgers on Thursday, making him the second-highest-paid player on an average annual basis in MLB history. Tucker’s contract includes $30 million in deferred money.
On this day:
Twenty-one years ago on Friday, the Patriots took down the Colts for the second straight postseason in snowy conditions at Gillette Stadium. Behind stout defensive play against Peyton Manning and 144 rushing yards from Corey Dillon, New England sent Indianapolis home 20-3 in the divisional round. The Patriots defeated the Steelers in the AFC Championship Game a week later and the Eagles two weeks after that to repeat as Super Bowl champs.
Daily highlight:
As the Celtics learned on Saturday, Spurs star Victor Wembanyama is almost impossible to guard. He showed why that’s the case again on Friday, hitting a fadeaway 3-pointer in the Spurs’ win over the Bucks.
Trivia answer: Bills in the 2021 AFC wild-card round
Get the latest Boston sports news
Receive updates on your favorite Boston teams, straight from our newsroom to your inbox.
Sports,Morning Sports Update,New England Patriots,NFL#Theyre #complicated #Patriots #Kayshon #Boutte #downplays #difficulty #facing #Texans #defense1768585270
