The Patriots defense heard the hype about the Texans defense. They used it as fuel and stole the show.

New England Patriots

“Ain’t nobody been talking about our defense all year. We’ll see what they’ve got to say today.”

FOXBOROUGH – The Texans were a trendy pick amongst talking heads this week, especially because of their elite defense.

This was not lost among the Patriots’ defensive players. They made it clear that they heard the praise that the Houston defense was getting all week. They used it as motivation during their 28-16 divisional-round win over the Texans.

“It fueled the whole defense,” defensive lineman Milton Williams said. “Ain’t nobody been talking about our defense all year. We’ll see what they’ve got to say today.”

This Patriots defense enters the AFC championship allowing just 9.5 points per game in the postseason. They completely shut down Houston’s run game, allowing just 48 total yards, which were less than half of the 105 rushing yards the Patriots notched.

“Everybody was talking about them all week and I think it just turned us up,” safety Jaylinn Hawkins said. “Like, alright, we want to go out there and show what we can do, you know what I’m saying? But like I said earlier, 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.”

To say that they had Houston quarterback C.J. Stroud looking lost would be an understatement. He threw four interceptions in the first half. The big plays just kept coming for the Patriots’ defense.

 “I take full responsibility. It’s something I’m going to learn from,” Stroud said. “It’s just ball security is everything, especially the way our defense has played all year, and it’s something that I’ve done a pretty good job of up to this point.

“I’m going to continue to get better in that area. I’m not happy with myself when it comes to that because I’m giving points and opportunities away from our team.”

Patriots receiver Stefon Diggs, a former Texan, is no stranger to the spotlight. Drake Maye ended Diggs’s press conference telling reporters “last question” as he tried to make his way to his locker. But, before Diggs finished talking, he mentioned that he hoped people would keep overlooking the Patriots’ defense.

“It’s a good thing. Hopefully they do that again next week because that’s another good defense that we’re able to go see,” Diggs said. “I feel like I spoke on it not too long ago, we’re playing with a chip on our shoulder. I think we’re one of those teams that kind of plays better with a chip on our shoulder when everybody is kind of counting us out.”

Diggs often says “we all we got, we all we need’ when talking about his teammates. The Patriots have used the phrase as a rallying cry this postseason, one of many things that has helped them play with an edge.

“That’s just what it is. No one like us but us, that’s the mindset,” Hawkins said. “Everybody on the outside is so up and down, if they don’t like us or something then that’s on them. As long as we like us, that’s all that matters. Everybody else is going to say what they’re going to say, but as long as this group in this room is close, we’re good.”

The Texans were one of the best defenses in the game this season, but the Patriots’ defense did not back down at snowy Gillette Stadium.

“Every week we try to come out and dominate knowing that they do have a great defense over there, but in our mind it was our defense vs. their defense,” Williams said. “See who was going to make more plays, create more turnovers, stop the run, get the ball back to our offense and let them make a play.”

Another week, another physical playoff win for the Patriots, who are now in the AFC title game for the first time since 2018.

Houston’s defense was elite, but the New England defense fared better.

“Again, they’re really good for a reason; they’ve shown it each and every week,” coach Mike Vrabel said. “But our guys are prideful men. And they want to compete and they want to win. And, again, they deserve the recognition that they’re going to get.”

“They’re a top-five defense for a reason as well. Again, that’s how some of these things go, when it comes down to turnovers. And we’ve got to get back on track. We forced second-and-long, so we stopped the run. And I’m proud of each and every guy in there.”

Khari A. Thompson

Sports Reporter

Khari Thompson covers professional sports for Boston.com. Before joining the team in 2022, Khari covered college football for The Clarion Ledger in Jackson, Miss.