Jadeveon Clowney

Vince Wilfork: 'There's never a good time to play against the Patriots'

Published Dec. 9, 2015 3:53 p.m. ET

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The New England Patriots have been the most successful team in the NFL for the last 15 years. Even when their roster is battered with injuries to key players, they’re never a team you want to play against.

Former Patriots defensive tackle Vince Wilfork knows that all too well. Wilfork, who’s in his first campaign with the Houston Texans after spending the previous 11 seasons in New England, understands the Patriots are just as dangerous after back-to-back losses as they are riding a win streak.

It’s a message he’ll certainly share with his Texans teammates as they prepare to host the Patriots on Sunday night.

“Let me tell you, there’s never a good time to play against the Patriots,” Wilfork said Wednesday on a media conference call. “They’re such a good football team. I had the luxury of being there for 11 years, and over my time we lost some games, but that team was always going to be ready to play.

“It’s all about execution, and I try to tell our guys all the time that preparation is everything for us. ... It’s no different this week. We’re not looking at any records. We’re looking strictly at what we se on film, how explosive this team is and how well they play on defense. You’re seeing a good football team, a consistent football team over the course of the years. They always play good football, especially at this time of the year. We don’t look at the losses from [the Patriots] because we know how good they really are, and we have to stay focused on that.”

Wilfork and the Texans defense could cause a lot of problems for the Patriots offensive line. The veteran tackle is part of a vaunted front seven that includes 2014 No. 1 pick Jadeveon Clowney and reigning Defensive Player of the Year and MVP runner-up J.J. Watt.

The Patriots gave up four sacks in Sunday’s loss to the Philadelphia Eagles and must be aware of where Wilfork and Watt line up on each play Sunday night.

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