Shane Vereen stood out on the big stage Sunday, scoring three touchdowns. (AP)

FOXBORO — The last we saw of Shane Vereen in the end zone, he was blowing by Bart Scott and scoring an 83-yard touchdown on a pass from Tom Brady on Thanksgiving night against the Jets.

Since then, Vereen has carried the ball 19 times for 92 yards while catching one pass for four yards in four games, but no touchdowns.

But Vereen came rushing into the game on the Patriots’ second offensive play of the day Sunday against the Texans when Danny Woodhead injured his left thumb on a rush into the line.

“I don’t come into the game knowing how much anyone is going to play,” Vereen said. “I come into the game ready to go and if my number is called I do my best for the team. Coaches just do a great job keeping us fresh and ready to go.

“We hate to lose Woody. He is such a key part of our offense, but at the same time all of the running backs hold ourselves accountable to be able to step up when somebody does go down.”

Vereen would more than step up. He would bust out for three touchdowns, two receiving and one rushing, and tie the Patriots franchise record for touchdowns in a playoff game, held by Rob Gronkowski and Curtis Martin. His final TD came on a 33-yard “go route” down the left sideline when he was lineup against a linebacker.

“Yes and no. I knew that the matchup was in my favor,” Vereen said. “But at the same time they are great defenders as well. So I have to do a great job at getting open. ”

Now, Vereen and the Patriots have a rematch with the Ravens in the AFC championship.

“It is going to be a great match up,” Vereen said. “It always is between us and the Ravens. We are going to have to go to work this week and get ready to play a great team.”