After watching the Texans' defense dismantle the Steelers on Monday night, it's clear the Patriots are in for a challenge when they host Houston in the divisional round. They just went against another formidable defensive opponent in the Chargers, but this is a different breed Drake Maye hasn't faced in his young career. It is already being projected to be the best defensive group the Patriots will face this season, and fortunately, they have some experience in that area during the 10-game win streak.
The conversation around NFL officials is always a hot topic throughout any season and only becomes more heated once the playoffs begin. Because the referees have been under fire for much of the last few years, despite commissioner Roger Goodell claiming they're doing their best work right now, it's, of course, something to discuss as the Patriots go into the divisional round.
With the football world's sudden fixation on Mike Tomlin's future or lack of same in Pittsburgh raising the question of why coaching longevity is suddenly a bad thing, we have completely forgotten the more obvious reason for caring about the Steelers-the end of Aaron Rodgers' career. Which is fair enough: Tomlin's annual flirtation with unemployment is familiar by now, but Rodgers' career has been ending, gratingly and in public, for just as long. What's one more indignity?