Patriots Mlton Williams, left, Christian Ellis, center and Robert Spillane all played key roles on a defense that smothered the Chargers in the AFC Wild Card game on Sunday night. (AP photo)

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – A retired longtime, well respected and accomplished writer in Houston had this interesting social media post on Monday night after the Houston Texans advanced to the Divisional Round with a defensive domination of the Pittsburgh Steelers:

“Imagine,” Houston’s John McClain wrote, “what the Texans would be capable of doing if (C.J.) Stroud came close to playing the way he’s capable.”

And therein is the thing that will probably make the difference when the Texans come to Gillette Stadium Sunday to face the New England Patriots. Their defense is monstrous, the best in the NFL. Stroud and the offense, which was its strength two years ago? Not even close.

That’s what the Patriots will be counting on on Sunday at 3 p.m. when Houston comes to town. Drake Maye, other than his amazing 66 yards rushing, struggled with the Charger defense that couldn’t hold up under the weight of a putrid L.A. offense in the Wild Card win. But that defense, as well as it played in holding the Patriots until late, wasn’t nearly as good as the one that the Texans are bringing.

It’s been lethal for the last three months. The problem for Houston is Stroud has regressed since his rookie season.

It’s funny how the playoffs have come and defense has taken over. That’s how it’s supposed to be, but the Texans took it to another level last night and so did the Patriots on Sunday led by a player who n o one was sure could live up to his big free agent contract, defensive lineman Milton Williams.

“We did a lot o work on Milton coming out, like a lot of teams,” Vrabel said, “but I would say that everything that we thought of him coming out is exactly what we saw in Philadelphia and then saw here. So I think his consistency has been really good, his leadership and he certain has come up in big moments.”

Williams and linebacker Robert Spillane have set the tone for a defense that struggled with both of them out over the final six weeks of the regular season.

Sunday night, as Spillane said, it was “Guys called upon in big situations coming up with big time plays.”

His revelation that after the game on the field Charger offensive players were saying they had no idea what the Patriots were doing on defense was certainly astounding, and revealing. Acting defensive coordinator Zak Kuhr, filling in for the ill Terrell Williams, has dialed up some disguised coverages, etc. that other teams can’t figure out.

The Chargers were a great matchup for New England. No offensive line, a QB who cowers when it’s playoff time and had a broken left hand to begin with.

The Texans? Hard to tell. Will their defense over pursue? The Patriots took advantage of those moments on Sunday night, whether it be Rhamondre Stevenson’s long catch and run catching the defense in a blitz, or Drake Maye uncovered and running into the open space. Houston didn’t have to worry about 40-something Aaron Rodgers doing that on Monday night.

The thing we have felt sets the Patriots apart from the other AFC contenders is – other than the Bills – is the fact they can score points. They have a quarterback who can improvise and make plays, not wilt under pressure, and has players on offense to make plays with.. Yes, he will still try to force plays here or there like early in Sunday’s game, but those have become few and far between.

But Maye and the Patriots haven’t faced a defense like the Texans. If Stroud was like the player many had thought he would become, this game would be in Houston. The Patriots defense could have another big night, perhaps even bigger than the Texans just had.

“We’re just going to continue to build,” Spillane said, “on what we know works.”

PLAYOF RANKINGS

Here’s our ranking of the Elite Eight, by conference:

AFC

1. New England. 2.Denver. 3. Houston. 4. Buffalo.

NFC

1.Seattle 2.L.A. Rams. 3. San Francisco 4.Chicago.