FOXBOROUGH — Logan Mankins could not have provided a greater contrast in terms of his health then vs. now.

When the Patriots’ veteran left guard was asked to compare how he felt headed into last year’s postseason with his status for Sunday’s divisional playoff game against the Houston Texans, Mankins’s response spoke volumes about not only his own improved physical well-being, but that of the team after enjoying a three-day break last weekend because of the first-round bye.