TEAM TALK

• Patriots record highest television rating average in franchise history.
• Andy Hart and Paul Perillo debate which player is most poised to enjoy a breakout postseason performance.
• The AP reports Tom Brady understands the urgency as the Patriots enjoy the bye.
• Sunday Conference Call Transcript: Bill Belichick.
• Patriots Today - Branch speaks on what's ahead. (2.29 min. video)
• Coffee with the Coach - Bill Belichick chats with Scott Zolak about the Patriots week 17 win over Miami, the impact of undrafted rookie free agents, and more. (2.56 min. video)
• Patriots All Access - 1/4/2013 episode. (40 min. video)
• BOSE Sights and Sounds: Behind-the-scenes in the Patriots Week 17 game against the Miami Dolphins. (3.20 min. video)

LOCAL LINKS

• Mike Reiss gives us his initial reaction to a Patriots-Texans matchup next Sunday in the divisional round.
• Christopher Price gives us a first look at the rematch between the Patriots and Texans.
• Mike Reiss reports Bill Belichick knows there will be new wrinkles from both teams when they face each other a second time in a season.
• Jeff Howe reports the Patriots are planning for a different Texans team for the postseason.
• Michael Whitmer finds that the Patriots are rested, but not relaxed, as they begin to sharpen their preparations for the Texans.
• Paul Kenyon notes the past offers a cautionary tale against overconfidence for the Patriots.
• Jeff Howe charts how the Patriots have performed in the playoffs against teams they played in the regulars season.
• Karen Guregian reports the Texans players have been openly concerned about going up against Tom Brady a second time, and gauging whether he can be that good again.
• Paul Kenyon points out the Patriots will be healthier for their rematch with the Texans.
• Mark Farinella reports Belichick won't let the team take the Texans lightly, and notes Houston will have a few key players back that didn't play in December.
• Michael Whitmer writes the Patriots' first win over the Texans won't mean a thing this week.
• Mary Paoletti points to J.J. Watt and Arian Foster as only part of the Houston 'problem'.
• Tom E. Curran swears 90 percent of New Englanders could hit the lottery and immediately start grousing about the taxes they'll have to pay. Attn: These aren't your 2010 Patriots.
• Mike Reiss shares some quick-hit weekend thoughts from the Patriots and around the NFL.
• Tom E. Curran reviews "Mild" Card Weekend and takes a peek at next week's set of playoff games, which should be more interesting.
• Zuri Berry posts some quick thoughts on how the Texans fared against the Bengals, who were kept 0 for 9 on third down.
• Mike Reiss notes there are 23 players on the current Patriots active roster who played in that Jets playoff loss.
• Field Yates notes the AFC's final four has a familiar feel.
• Mike Reiss posts some links to the stories and stats from the last Houston-New England game, just to kick off the week.
• Christopher Price offers a Patriots positional playoff preview: Quarterback - Running Back - Tight End - Wide Receiver - Offensive Line.
• Mike Reiss highlights Bill Belichick's breakdown of last week's Miami game and how the Patriots defense was able to shut out the Dolphins.
• Ricky Doyle presents a Patriots-Raiders "Tuck Rule Game' slideshow, with New England and Oakland bloggers discussing that classic of a game. (18 min.)
• Mike Reiss shares the football journey of Nate Ebner.

NATIONAL NEWS

• Kevin Fishbain (Pro Football Weekly) Hightower's playmaking will be key for Patriots in playoffs.
• James Walker (ESPN) Quick take: Texans at Patriots.
• James Walker (ESPN) Texans players, owner talk Patriots.
• Vinnie Iyer (Sporting News) Texans vs. Patriots: Tom Brady flashbacks still haunt Houston.
• Austin Murphy (SI) Texans stop the bleeding, now return to the scene of the wound.
• Jen Floyd Engel (Fox Sports) Kubiak needs to get it together after ugly win.
• Peter King (SI) MMQB: RGIII injury closes the curtain on ugly Wild-Card Weekend.
• Ken Crippen (Cold Hard Football Facts) 2012 Rusher Rating: Adrian Peterson No. 1; Patriots dominate team rankings.
• Joe Fortenbaugh (Nat'l Football Posts) Patriots, Niners open as favorites for Divisional Round.

VIEW FROM HOUSTON

• Brian T. Smith (Houston Chronicle) Showdown in Foxborough will be the Texans’ biggest test.
• John McClain (Houston Chronicle) Stakes are higher for Texans this time, but will it matter?
• Dale Robertson (Houston Chronicle) Patriots’ rout of Texans turned on five plays.
• GameDay Final (NFL.com) Kurt Warner and Steve Mariuchi and break down the Divisional Round matchup between the Texans and Patriots. (1.41 min video)