TODAY'S AFC GAME
HOUSTON AT NEW ENGLAND
3:30 p.m., Ch. 4; Patriots by 9 1/2
Last meeting: Patriots beat Texans 42-14 on Dec. 10.
About the Texans: (13-4): Houston is in the playoffs for the second straight season after missing the postseason in its first nine years of existence. ... The Texans lost three of their last four regular-season games, starting against the Patriots when Tom Brady threw four TD passes. ... Last weekend RB Arian Foster became the first player in NFL history with at least 100 rushing yards in each of his first three playoff games. ... QB Matt Schaub has thrown one touchdown pass and four interceptions in his past five games.
About the Patriots (12-4): New England led the NFL in scoring this season with 34.8 points per game. ... Brady needs one win to break a tie with Joe Montana for most QB victories in the postseason. It would be Brady's 17th. Brady is 6-6 in his past 12 playoff games after starting 10-0. ... TEs Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez, both sidelined for stretches, are expected to play together for the sixth time this season.
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