The Patriots and Texans are part of the final eight teams in the playoffs, just a win away from the AFC Conference Game, and two wins away from a Super Bowl berth.
Houston is the hottest team in the league, having won ten games in a row, and is fresh off a 30-6 dominating win over the Steelers on Monday night. They are in the top three of most defensive metrics. It is a very talented defensive group.
Houston’s offense is good and, at times, can be very good, but they also, at times, get bogged down, and their middle-of-the-road ranking reflects that.