Late in the first quarter, Dalton Schultz hauled in a 42‑yard catch that moved Houston to the Patriots’ 27‑yard line, setting up a field goal that nudged the score to 7‑3. Minutes later the tight end left for the locker room with a calf injury and was ruled out for the remainder of the divisional‑round contest.

Without Nico Collins, who missed the previous wild‑card win after a concussion, Houston entered the game already shorthanded at receiver. Schultz’s exit left the Texans without their second‑best pass catcher; he finished the season with 777 yards, the team’s second‑highest total, raising concerns about the passing attack’s viability against New England’s defense.

Coach DeMeco Ryans must rely on backup tight ends and deeper routes to sustain drives, while the Patriots will likely exploit the void with aggressive aerial schemes. Observers will watch whether Houston can generate momentum without its top targets, a factor that could dictate the outcome of this AFC showdown.