Go figure.

The locker room of the Patriots, who were going to the playoffs, was funereal. In stark contrast, the locker room of the Texans, who were going nowhere, was celebratory.

"The Texans proudly boasted about their franchise-best, 9-7 record. They deserved to celebrate," wrote Houston Chronicle columnist Jerome Solomon in Monday's paper.

"We can say we were part of the first winning season for the Houston Texans," said cornerback Dunta Robinson. "We're part of something special."

That says it all about the difference between the two franchises.

The Texans think it's something special to finish over .500.

For the Patriots, it's not a special season unless they win the Super Bowl, and, having lost Wes Welker, the NFL's leading receiver, they knew their chances of achieving that goal had become considerably slimmer.