Superstition has always been part of sports culture. From lucky socks to pregame rituals that never change, fans and players alike cling to anything that feels like control in an uncontrollable game. But sometimes, superstition finds its way into the national spotlight in the most unexpected—and adorable—ways.
For the New England Patriots, that moment may have arrived at the worst possible time.
As the Patriots prepare for a high-stakes playoff matchup against the Houston Texans, an unlikely source has emerged as the center of online anxiety: a four-year-old toddler with an uncanny recent track record of being wrong.
What started as a lighthearted internet gimmick has suddenly become a viral talking point—and for Patriots fans already on edge, it feels like a bad omen they didn’t need.
The “Trust the Toddler” Phenomenon
Across the country from Gillette Stadium, Southern California radio personality Anthony Donatelli runs a weekly segment with his young daughter Reese titled “Trust the Toddler.” The premise is simple, charming, and harmless: Reese picks the winners of each week’s NFL games based entirely on instinct, vibes, or whatever happens to catch her attention in the moment.
There’s no analysis. No stats. No film breakdown.
Just a toddler pointing at logos.
The segment was never meant to be predictive. It was meant to be fun.
Until it wasn’t.
When Cute Turned Into Chaos
During the Wild Card round of the NFL playoffs, Reese made her picks as usual. But as the weekend unfolded, something strange—and hilarious—happened.
She got every single game wrong.
Not one.
Not almost.
Every. Single. One.
As the losses piled up, NFL fans began to take notice. Social media posts started circulating highlighting her reverse-perfect record. By the time only one Wild Card game remained—a matchup between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Houston Texans—the video had gone viral.
Steelers fans jokingly voiced their concern online. Reese had picked Pittsburgh.
What happened next turned a joke into a meme that refuses to die.
The Texans Seal the Curse
The Texans didn’t just beat the Steelers.
They obliterated them.
Behind a dominant defensive performance and clinical execution, Houston dismantled Pittsburgh on their home turf, completing Reese’s flawless 0-for-X Wild Card record.
That’s when the narrative changed.
What was once a cute internet segment became, in the minds of fans, a curse.
And now, that curse has its sights set on New England.
Reese Picks the Patriots — Uh Oh
Earlier this week, Reese made her picks for the Divisional Round.
When it came time for Patriots vs. Texans, she didn’t hesitate.
She picked New England.
Cue the collective groan.
Patriots fans, already carrying the weight of playoff expectations, immediately noticed the connection. The toddler who couldn’t get a single Wild Card game right was now backing their team.
Suddenly, the laughter stopped.
Social Media Reacts: From Jokes to Genuine Nerves
NFL Twitter did what it does best.
Fans of every team Reese picked reacted with mock horror. A San Francisco 49ers fan account named “Brock Purdy Enthusiast” reposted the video of Reese picking the 49ers to beat the Seahawks, captioning it with one word:
“NOOOOOOOOOO.”
Patriots fans followed suit.
Memes flooded timelines.
Comments ranged from “This is how it ends” to “Please unpick us.”
Some even begged Donatelli to post a correction video.
It was all tongue-in-cheek—but beneath the humor was something real.
Playoff nerves.
Why Fans Actually Care (Even If They Pretend Not To)
No rational football fan truly believes a toddler’s picks influence outcomes.
But sports fandom isn’t rational.
When the stakes are high, fans look for patterns, signs, and stories that help explain what might happen next. That’s why curses, streaks, and superstitions take on lives of their own.
The Patriots are entering this matchup as the No. 2 seed, with expectations of a deep playoff run. A loss to the Texans would be seen as a massive disappointment.
So when something—anything—suggests danger, fans latch on.
Even if it comes from a four-year-old.
The Reality: Texans Are No Joke
While the “curse” makes for entertaining content, the real concern for New England lies on the field.
The Texans are not the same team they were in years past. Their defense has emerged as one of the most physical and disruptive units in the league, capable of dictating games with pressure and discipline.
They proved that against Pittsburgh.
And they believe they can do it again.
Houston plays with confidence, swagger, and nothing to lose—making them a dangerous playoff opponent regardless of seeding.
Patriots’ Path to 14-3 Wasn’t Always Easy
New England enters the Divisional Round with a 14-3 record and an AFC East title, but the journey wasn’t without adversity.
Their Wild Card win over the Los Angeles Chargers, in particular, tested their resilience. The game was tighter than many expected, requiring late-game execution and poise to secure the victory.
What ultimately separated the Patriots was fourth-quarter chemistry—a trait that has defined their season.
Drake Maye and the Patriots’ Offense
At the center of New England’s success is quarterback Drake Maye, whose development has exceeded expectations.
Maye’s arm strength, decision-making, and ability to extend plays have transformed the Patriots’ offense into a unit capable of explosive scoring. His connection with his receivers has grown stronger as the season progressed, particularly in high-leverage moments.
Against a Texans defense that thrives on pressure, Maye’s composure will be critical.
If he plays clean football, the Patriots’ offense has the tools to control the game.
Defense Wins Championships — And the Patriots Know It
New England’s defense remains its backbone.
Disciplined coverage, strong tackling, and situational awareness have defined their identity. Against Houston, stopping early momentum will be essential.
The Texans feed off confidence. Allow them to hang around, and belief grows.
The Patriots’ goal will be simple: dictate tempo, win the trenches, and force Houston into mistakes.
That’s not something a toddler’s pick can change.
The Curse vs. the Culture
The Patriots’ dynasty years were built on ignoring noise external pressure, media narratives, and yes, superstition.
This team may look different, but the culture remains.
Veteran leadership, playoff experience, and preparation outweigh any viral storyline. Inside the locker room, the “curse” is likely nothing more than a laugh—if it’s acknowledged at all.
But for fans?
It’s a reminder of how fragile playoff confidence can be.
Why This Story Took Off
This moment went viral because it sits at the perfect intersection of:
Humor
Timing
High stakes
Shared anxiety
It humanizes fandom. It shows how even the most confident fan bases can feel uneasy when the postseason arrives.
And it proves one thing above all else:
Football is as emotional as it is analytical.
Final Verdict: Cute Story, Serious Game
The Patriots did not receive “bad news” because of a toddler’s pick.
They received bad news because they’re facing a dangerous opponent who believes it can win.
Still, the viral toddler picks curse has added an extra layer of tension, humor, and superstition to an already compelling playoff matchup.
If New England wins, the curse becomes a punchline.
If they lose, it becomes legend.
That’s how these stories work.
And until kickoff, Patriots fans will laugh nervously, refresh social media, and hope just a littlethat Reese is finally due to be right.
