The Texans are gunning for their first-ever win at Gillette Stadium Saturday night, and Bill O'Brien explained some of the things his squad needs to do to make it happen.
"We have to play good, sound, fundamental football," O'Brien said during a Monday press conference. "They're the type of team that if you make too many mistakes, they're going to bury you. So we have to do a good job – not to be perfect – but we have to limit our mistakes regardless of defense, offense or special teams."
O'Brien and the Texans took care of Oakland in the Wild Card round of the playoffs Saturday, 27-14. A matchup with AFC East Champion New England is set, and the head coach said his players will be up for the challenge.
"We have to do a good job tomorrow when we bring our players in of understanding what those are," O'Brien said. "What carries over from the Raider game and what doesn't? Let's not waste time with the things that don't carry over and let's make sure that we get these things corrected. That's how you have to go about it. There's always room for improvement."
Standing in their path to improvement, however, are a few different factors. One involves quarterback Tom Brady, who O'Brien believes is the best to ever play the position.
"He's done it with different types of teams, different teammates," O'Brien said. "He's a great quarterback. So in preparation for him, it's very difficult. You have to make sure that, number one, that you do your job. That your players understand what their role in the game is and how they're supposed to perform on every single play."
Brady completed 67 percent of his passes this season for 3,554 yards, with 28 touchdowns and two interceptions.
O'Brien and the Texans will practice Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. They'll fly to New England on Friday.
The Houston Texans roster in photos. (Updated 3/2/2021)
ILB, Tyrell Adams #50
TE, Jordan Akins, 88
DT, Auzoyah Alufohai, #98
P, Bryan Anger, 9
CB, Cornell Armstrong, 30
C/G, Beau Benzschawel #62
DT, Ross Blacklock #90
ILB, Curtis Bolton #47
DT, Andrew Brown, #97
TE Pharaoh Brown #85
C, Cohl Cabral #72
WR, Randall Cobb #18
ILB, Dylan Cole, 51
CB, Gareon Conley, 22
WR, Brandin Cooks #13
WR, Isaiah Coulter #82
WR, Keke Coutee, 16
CB, Keion Crossen, 35
ILB, Zach Cunningham, 41
DE, Brandon Dunn, 92
OLB, Duke Ejiofor, 53
ILB, Kyle Emanuel, 56
K, Ka'imi Fairbairn, 7
TE, Darren Fells, 87
G, Hjalte Froholdt #77
OL, Zach Fulton, 73
CB, Phillip Gaines #29
FB, Cullen Gillaspia, 44
OLB, Jonathan Greenard #52
ILB, Nate Hall, 48
NT, P.J. Hall #96
WR, Chad Hansen, #17
CB, Vernon Hargreaves III #26
T, Charlie Heck #67
RB, Dontrell Hilliard, #22
OL, Tytus Howard, 71
RB, Buddy Howell, 38
RB, David Johnson #31
CB, Lonnie Johnson, Jr., 32
T, Roderick Johnson #63
LS, Anthony Kukwa #45
LB, Jacob Martin, 54
QB, AJ McCarron #2
LB, Benardrick McKinney, 55
OLB, Whitney Mercilus, 59
WR, Steven Mitchell, Jr., 11
S, A.J. Moore, 33
S Eric Murray #23
DE, Charles Omenihu, 94
S, Jonathan Owens, 36
RB, Scottie Phillips, #40
G/T Brent Qvale #76
WR, Damion Ratley, #19
CB, John Reid #34
S, Justin Reid, 20
OLB, Brennan Scarlett, 57
OL, Max Scharping, 74
S, Michael Thomas #28
TE, Kahale Warring, 81
DL, Carlos Watkins, 91
QB, Deshaun Watson, 4
LS, Jon Weeks #46
