Texans PFF grades: Top & Bottom defensive players in loss vs. Patriots

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Texans PFF grades: Top & Bottom defensive players in loss vs. Patriots

January 19, 2026

There needs to be a serious conversation on the Houston Texans‘ future entering the offseason.

C.J. Stroud threw four first-half interceptions, while the Texans finished with five turnovers as the New England Patriots punched their ticket to the AFC Conference Championship appearance for the first time in the post-Tom Brady era.

The Texans fall to 0-7 all-time in the divisional round and 0-3 against the Patriots in the postseason.

“It’s something I can learn from, and it just sucks that it has to be in this game, in this environment, on this stage,” Stroud said after the game.

Drake Maye wasn’t perfect, but he made the clutch throws at the right time. The second-year MVP candidate finished 16 of 27 for 179 yards and three touchdowns. He also had an interception and fumbled four times, losing two of them in cold conditions, including one in the red zone.

C.J. ➡️ Christian connection ✨

📺 : @nflonespn pic.twitter.com/P0B62Smzhy

— Houston Texans (@HoustonTexans) January 18, 2026

Will Anderson Jr. proved his value for a new contract this offseason after recording three sacks while forcing two fumbles. He helped set up Houston deep inside New England territory to start the third quarter with a strip-sack on Maye.

But the offense literally fumbled away their opportunity to make it a one-score game. Woody Marks coughed up the ball on a Christian Gonzalez, leading to a scoring drive for the Patriots. Combined, the Texans and Patriots totaled eight turnovers, marking the most in a playoff game since 2015 when the Cardinals and Panthers combined for the same total in the NFC championship game.

“I didn’t play my best this year,” Stroud said postgame. “But I’m gonna respond, keep my chest up, my chin up high and I’m gonna just keep battling forward. If God is before me, who can be against me? I’m just gonna rely on that.”

This defense 🔥

📺 : @nflonespn pic.twitter.com/aj7bvDUj1u

— Houston Texans (@HoustonTexans) January 18, 2026

Pro Football Focus handed out player grades for those who took a snap in Houston’s loss against the Patriots and we broke them down by offense and defense. Below are the five highest and lowest grades on the defensive side of the ball after a promising win, setting up another divisional round game for Houston in this regime.

There were a few surprises in terms of the highest- and lowest-graded players, both on offense and defense. In fact, most of you can already guess who graded out in stellar and horrendous fashion.

Here’s a look at the five best defensive players below from Gillette Stadium on Sunday afternoon:

Top 5 defense

DE Will Anderson Jr. – 94.5
LB Henry To’oTo’o – 84.2
DL Tommy Togiai – 84.2
LB Azeez Al-Shaair- 82.4
CB Kamari Lassiter – 82.0

If Anderson hadn’t locked up that extension entering Sunday afternoon, he sure did by the time the Texans boarded a plane home. Not only did he finish with three sacks and two forced fumbles, but his 93.9 pass-rush grade is the highest by any player in the postseason from all 14 rosters over the past 10 games. Houston has itself the next J.J. Watt on the roster and he’s not slowing down anytime soon.

Bottom 5 defense

DL Leki Fotu – 29.2
CB Derek Stingley Jr. – 39.4
DL Sheldon Rankins – 43.4
DL Denico Autry – 47.9
DB Jalen Pitre- 55.2

For whatever reason, PFF hates the All-Pro cornerback. While last season was perhaps the best year of his career, Stingley was still a shutdown defender throughout the regular season. That said, he got beat on the same play in coverage as he did last season against Drake Maye, when Kayshon Boutee won the vertical route for an impressive one-handed catch for a 32-yard touchdown.

Stingley was also in coverage for the Stefon Diggs touchdown and was flagged for a pass interference call in the fourth quarter that set up a scoring drive.