They grew up in the same Ohio household, raised by a coach who instilled a love of football. Now they’re both in the NFL, on opposite sidelines.
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — The playoff stakes are familiar. The opponent is not.
When the Houston Texans meet the New England Patriots on Sunday in the AFC Divisional Round, the matchup will pit more than two franchises against each other. It will place brothers Ben and Josh McDaniels on opposite sidelines, with a trip to the AFC Championship Game on the line.
The McDaniels brothers have coached against each other before — but never with this much at stake.
Ben McDaniels is Houston’s wide receivers coach and passing game coordinator. His older brother, Josh McDaniels, is the Patriots’ longtime offensive play-caller and one of the most accomplished coordinators in the league.
“Obviously, the stakes are higher,” Ben McDaniels said. “But it’s a lot of fun, honestly. Every time we get an opportunity to play against each other, you enjoy the concept of it.”
Players who have worked with both brothers say the similarities are unmistakable. Patriots wide receiver Stefon Diggs, who previously played in Houston, described nearly identical approaches to preparation and work ethic.
“They’re a lot similar in regards to how you’re working, the time that you put in, and how serious they take it,” Diggs said. “They both love football.”
That shared intensity traces back well before the NFL.
The McDaniels brothers grew up in Ohio in a coach’s household, where football was a constant and competition was encouraged. Their father set the tone, instilling a love for the game that eventually led both sons to NFL sidelines.
“It becomes reflective and appreciative of our dad and our mom,” Ben McDaniels said, “for raising us in an environment where we appreciated and loved football and ultimately ended up in football together.”
Now, that shared journey brings them face-to-face in the postseason, with family members expected in the stands and no neutral rooting interest inside the McDaniels household.
Josh McDaniels acknowledged the dynamic but said the focus remains unchanged.
“We compete almost in everything we do,” he said. “This will be no different.”
Only one brother will advance. The other will see his season end.
For a few short hours Sunday, football will divide a family long united by the game.
As for their head-to-head record, Ben McDaniels admits his brother has all the wins so far. This weekend offers a chance to change that.