NFL Playoffs

Houston Texans (13-4) at New England Patriots (12-4)

The Texans and Patriots will meet for the second time this season and the first time in the playoffs.

In Week 14, New England scored the first 28 points of the game en route to a 42-14 victory.

"We understand the challenge that we have," says Houston head coach GARY KUBIAK. "That is what is awesome about this league; it's the ultimate challenge. The Patriots have been at this level for a long time. We had a rough trip up there last time, but we've earned our right to go back. We want to go back and play a lot better than we did last time."

The Texans earned the trip back to New England with a 19-13 win over Cincinnati in the Wild Card round. Houston running back ARIAN FOSTER rushed for 140 yards and a touchdown and became the first player in NFL history to rush for at least 100 yards in each of his first three playoff games. Foster's 425 rushing yards are the most by a player in his first three postseason games.

"It's meaningful for our whole team what we're trying to accomplish," says Patriots quarterback TOM BRADY, who threw four touchdown passes in the Week 14 win. "You don't take these things for granted. It's a privilege to be in this position and to be one of the teams to have played well enough over the course of the year to deserve the first-round bye."

Brady, who is one of five players to be named Super Bowl MVP multiple times (XXXVI, XXXVIII), enters the postseason with a 16-6 record. His .727 postseason winning percentage is the third-best mark in NFL history, trailing only Pro Football Hall of Famers TERRY BRADSHAW (.737) and TROY AIKMAN (.733).

"You should take full advantage of every opportunity because you never know if you'll get the opportunity again," says Brady. "Regardless if this is your first, second, third year or if it's your 10th or 11th, you never know if you'll make it back."

AFC Divisional Playoffs Preview: Houston Texans at New England Patriots