Sunday, January 18, 2026 — AFC Divisional Round
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — The New England Patriots continued their resurgent 2025–26 season with a strong performance Sunday afternoon, defeating the Houston Texans 28–16 at Gillette Stadium in the AFC Divisional Round of the NFL Playoffs. With the victory, New England punched its ticket to the AFC Championship Game, where it will meet the Denver Broncos next week.
Head coach Mike Vrabel and quarterback Drake Maye led a balanced Patriots attack that combined timely offense and opportunistic defense to control much of the contest. The victory marked New England’s first trip to the AFC Championship Game since the 2018 season and capped a remarkable turnaround from a 4–13 campaign in 2024 to a 14–3 regular-season finish and playoff success.
Patriots Strike Early
New England struck first early in the game when Maye connected with receiver DeMario Douglas on a 28-yard touchdown pass, putting the Patriots ahead 7–0. The Texans responded with a 25-yard field goal by Ka’imi Fairbairn, trimming the deficit to 7–3, but the Patriots steadily built momentum from that point forward.
Maye, who finished the game with three touchdown passes, demonstrated poise in challenging conditions, spreading the ball to multiple targets and making key plays when drives stalled.
Turnovers Turn the Tide
A defining sequence in the game came later in the second quarter when Patriots cornerback Marcus Jones intercepted quarterback C.J. Stroud and returned the pick 26 yards for a touchdown, swinging the lead to New England and energizing the home crowd. Shortly afterward, Stefon Diggs extended the Patriots’ advantage with a 7-yard touchdown reception from Maye, putting New England ahead 21–10 at halftime.
The Patriots’ defense forced multiple turnovers throughout the afternoon, with Carlton Davis III and Craig Woodson also contributing interceptions that disrupted Houston’s rhythm. Stroud finished with four interceptions on the day, a number that hampered the Texans’ ability to mount sustained offensive drives.
Second Half Control
Houston continued to fight in the second half, adding a pair of field goals to cut the deficit to 21–16. But New England responded in the fourth quarter when Maye delivered a **32-yard touchdown strike to rookie wideout Kayshon Boutte, one of the highlight plays of the game, extending the lead to 28–16 and effectively sealing the outcome.
The Patriots defense stood firm in the closing minutes, preventing any late rallies and preserving the two-score margin that sent the home team into the conference title game.
Standout Performances
- Drake Maye: The young Patriots quarterback threw three touchdown passes and managed the game efficiently despite windy, wintry conditions in Foxborough.
- Marcus Jones: His pick-six in the second quarter proved pivotal, giving New England critical momentum and swing points.
- Patriots Defense: With multiple interceptions and pressure on C.J. Stroud throughout, New England’s defense kept Houston’s offense off balance most of the afternoon.
For the Texans, Stroud completed 20 of 47 passes for 212 yards but was unable to overcome the turnovers and pressure, while running back Woody Marks and Houston’s ground game struggled to gain traction consistently.
Looking Ahead
With the 28–16 victory, the Patriots improved their playoff record to 3–0 all-time against the Texans and will now travel to Denver to face the Broncos in the AFC Championship Game. New England’s balanced attack and opportunistic defense have become hallmarks of their postseason run, and the team will look to carry that momentum against one of the league’s top seeds.
For Houston, the season ends with a 13–6 record and another strong campaign that fell short in the Divisional Round, prompting questions about offensive execution and turnovers in critical games.