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.
DL, Mario Addison, #97
TE, Jordan Akins, #88
Arizona Cardinals' Eno Benjamin (26) during the second half of an NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks, Sunday, Nov. 6, 2022, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Darryl Webb)
DL, Thomas Booker, #56
RB, Rex Burkhead, #28
OL, A.J. Cann, #60
LB, Blake Cashman, #53
DL, Maliek Collins, #96
WR, Nico Collins, #12
WR, Brandin Cooks, #13
OL, Austin Deculus, #76
WR, Phillip Dorsett, #4
DL, Michael Dwumfour, #50
K, Ka'imi Fairbairn, #7
OL, Kenyon Green, #59.
DL, Rasheem Green, #92
FB, Troy Hairston, #34
LB, Jake Hansen, #49
LB, Christian Harris, #48
OL, Charlie Heck, #67
LB, Neville Hewitt, #43
DL, Kurt Hinish, #93
TE, O.J. Howard, #83
OL, Tytus Howard, #71
DL, Jerry Hughes, #55
DL, Jaleel Johnson, #90
P, Cameron Johnston, #11
TE, Brevin Jordan, #9
DB, Desmond King II, #25
LB, Christian Kirksey, #58
DL, Roy Lopez, #91
OL, Justin McCray, #64
QB, Davis Mills, #10
WR, Chris Moore, #15
OL, Jimmy Morrissey, #79
DB, Eric Murray, #23
DB, Steven Nelson, #21
RB, Dare Ogunbowale, #33
DL, Ogbo Okoronkwo, #45
DB, Jonathan Owens, #36
RB, Dameon Pierce, #31
DB, Jalen Pitre, #5
OL, Scott Quessenberry, #54
TE, Teagan Quitoriano, #84
LB, Jalen Reeves-Maybin, #44
WR, Amari Rodgers
DB, Tremon Smith, #1.
DB, M.J. Stewart, #29
DB, Derek Stingley Jr., #24
OL, Laremy Tunsil, #78
LB, Garret Wallow, #32
LS, Jon Weeks #46
