Patriots notebook: Bill O'Brien breaks down Texans matchup - ESPN

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — Quick-hit thoughts and notes around the New England Patriots and NFL:

1. Coach's breakdown: Boston College coach Bill O'Brien has a unique perspective on Sunday's AFC divisional round playoff game between the Houston Texans and Patriots at Gillette Stadium (3 p.m. ET, ESPN/ABC).

O'Brien served as Texans head coach from 2014 to '20, and he's had two separate stints as a Patriots assistant (2007-2011, 2023), so he knows the innerworkings of both organizations. He also hired Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel for his first NFL job, as linebackers coach with the Texans in 2014.

When O'Brien is asked to dissect the matchup, he begins with DeMeco Ryans and Vrabel.

«Both head coaches — two former players, both having played for their organizations — have done a great job,» O'Brien said. «You can tell both teams enjoy playing for each other, and with each other. I think it's going to be a great game.»

The Patriots are in a rare position by entering the game with two rookie starters on the left side of their offensive line — tackle Will Campbell and guard Jared Wilson. According to Elias Sports Bureau, no team had started rookies at both left tackle and left guard in the playoffs since the Patriots in 2005 with Nick Kaczur (tackle) and Logan Mankins (guard).

Campbell and Wilson join center Garrett Bradbury, right guard Mike Onwenu and right tackle Morgan Moses in making up the unit O'Brien said he believes holds the key to New England's hopes.

«It's going to come down, on both sides of the ball, to the line of scrimmage. When you look at Houston's defensive line, the way they play — obviously Will [Anderson] and Danielle Hunter, but also the interior guys — the Patriots' offensive line has to play a helluva