Texans vs. Patriots: Start time, TV schedule for NFL playoffs

The Houston Texans bested third-string rookie quarterback Connor Cook last week to advance to the Divisional Round of the playoffs, where they’ll face the New England Patriots and Tom Brady on their home turf.

This will mark the second time these two teams have met in the postseason, with the Patriots winning handily, 41-28, at Gillette Stadium four years ago. In fact, the Patriots have won all but one game against the Texans.

In a year that the postseason seemed like more of a pipe dream, Houston head coach Bill O’Brien made some tough decisions to get his team to the playoffs. After spending a fortune to sign quarterback Brock Osweiler, he was benched late in the season for third-year player Tom Savage. The change-up didn’t last long when Savage was sidelined with a concussion, leading the way for Osweiler to once again get the start.

The former backup for Peyton Manning did enough during the Wild Card round to earn his spot back as the No. 1 for Houston. Osweiler completed 14 of 25 passes last week for 168 yards and one touchdown, in addition to a rushing score.

On the ground, Lamar Miller is looking for his fourth game in a row with a rushing touchdown, after finishing the regular season with 1,073 rushing yards. In an effort to alleviate some of the strain on the Texans rush attack, receivers DeAndre Hopkins and Will Fuller, along with tight end C.J. Fiedorowicz have helped to correct some of Osweiler’s errant passing game. Hopkins surpassed Texans legend Andre Johnson this year with 317 career receptions, most in a player’s first four seasons in franchise history, and led the team this year with 78 catches for 954 yards.

One area the Texans aren’t worried about is their defense. With the likes of linebacker Whitney Mercilus, defensive end Jadeveon Clowney and safety Quinton Demps, Houston led the NFL in total defense during the regular season. Their strength was on full display last week against the Raiders, when they held Oakland to just 203 offensive yards on top of two sacks by Mercilus and a big interception by Clowney that led to a touchdown drive.

The Houston defense will need to stay on their toes as they head into division play. The Patriots claimed their eighth consecutive AFC East division title this season, and are the only team in NFL history to win 13 titles in a 14-year span.

Between the head coach styling of Bill Belichick -- who is looking for his 261st career victory Saturday -- and Brady at quarterback, there is little opposing teams have been able to do to best the oft-winning team. In 2016, Brady became the fifth player in NFL history to reach 60,000 passing yards.

As if Brady under center wasn’t scary enough, his surrounding cast includes wideout Julian Edelman and running back LeGarrette Blount. Edelman finished the regular season with 98 receptions, marking his third season with over 90 catches. The ground game is equally as strong for the Patriots, with Blount leading the league and setting a franchise record with 18 rushing touchdowns this season. The running back posted 105 yards and two scores back in September against Houston.

The Patriots opened as 16-point favorites over the Texans, making them one of only four teams to be favored by at least 16 points in NFL history. It is certainly merited given the last time these teams faced off was in Week 3 when the Patriots, without Brady, shut out the Texans, 27-0. New England is 4-0 against Houston at home and are looking for win No. 5 to advance to the AFC Championship.

Time: 8:15 p.m. ET

Location: Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, Mass.

TV: CBS

Announcers: Jim Nantz, Phil Simms, Tracy Wolfson, Jay Feely

Online: Sunday Ticket, CBS All-Access