Drake Maye threw three touchdown passes, Marcus Jones returned one of C.J. Stroud’s four interceptions for a score and the New England Patriots defeated the Houston Texans 28-16 on Sunday to advanc…
New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye passes against the Houston Texans during the second half of an NFL divisional playoff football game, Sunday, Jan. 18, 2026, in Foxborough, Mass. New England Patriots cornerback Marcus Jones returns an interception for a touchdown against Houston Texans wide receiver Xavier Hutchinson during the first half of an NFL divisional playoff football game, Sunday, Jan.
18, 2026, in Foxborough, Mass. New England Patriots wide receiver Kyle Williams cannot catch a pass against Houston Texans cornerback Kamari Lassiter during the first half of an NFL divisional playoff football game, Sunday, Jan. 18, 2026, in Foxborough, Mass. New England Patriots linebacker K’lavon Chaisson, right, hits Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud during the first half of an NFL divisional playoff football game, Sunday, Jan. 18, 2026, in Foxborough, Mass. Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud throws a touchdown pass to wide receiver Christian Kirk against the New England Patriots during the first half of an NFL divisional playoff football game, Sunday, Jan. 18, 2026, in Foxborough, Mass. New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye passes against the Houston Texans during the second half of an NFL divisional playoff football game, Sunday, Jan. 18, 2026, in Foxborough, Mass. one of C.J. Stroud’s four interceptions for a score and the New England Patriots defeated the Houston Texans 28-16 on Sunday to advance to the AFC championship game for the first time in seven years. In Mike Vrabel’s first season as coach, the Patriots will take on the Broncos in Denver next Sunday, with the winner advancing to the Super Bowl. The Patriots will make their 16th conference championship game appearance and first since their run to their sixth Super Bowl title under Bill Belichick in the 2018 season. New England has won its last nine divisional round games.Maye finished 16 of 27 for 179 yards, but had an interception and fumbled four times, losing two in cold conditions in which snow and rain fell throughout the game. One of Maye’s fumbles set up Houston’s first touchdown. The eight combined turnovers -- Woody Marks also lost a fumble for Houston — were the most in a playoff game since 2015 when the Cardinals and Panthers combined for eight in the NFC championship game. The Texans have lost in the divisional round in three straight seasons under coach DeMeco Ryans. The franchise is now 0-7 all-time in this round. Stroud finished 20 of 47 with a TD pass. All of his interceptions came in the first half as he became the first player with five or more INTs and five or more fumbles in a single postseason. Will Anderson forced two fumbles for the Texans. Leading 21-16 in the fourth quarter, the Patriots stretched their lead to 27-16 when Kayshon Boutte got behind Derek Stingley Jr. and pulled in a diving, one-hand catch in the corner of the end zone for a touchdown. The Texans had the ball with 5:48 to play, but punted on fourth-and-18 at their own 21 with 4:18 remaining. New England’s next drive took the clock under two minutes. But the Texans turned it over on downs when Stroud’s fourth-down pass to Xavier Hutchinson was batted down by Robert Spillane.Maye was strip-sacked by Danielle Hunter deep in Patriots territory, but left tackle Will Campbell fell on the ball and the Patriots punted. The Texans gave it right back when Stroud’s deep pass along the sideline was intercepted by Davis III. Maye fumbled again when he attempted to run on a busted play and had the ball stripped by Tommy Togiai and recovered by Azeez Al-Shaair. Six plays later, Stroud linked up with Christian Kirk on a 10-yard touchdown pass. But on Houston’s next drive, Stroud was rushed up the middle by K’Lavon Chaisson and he lofted a pass that was intercepted by Jones and returned for the score to put New England back in front. Later in the quarter, the Patriots’ lead increased to 21-10 when they capped a five-play, 56-yard drive with a 7-yard TD pass from Maye to Stefon Diggs.Jones scored on an interception return for the second time this season. It was the first of his career in the playoffs and first for New England in the postseason since Asante Samuel had one vs. Indianapolis on Jan. 21, 2007, in the AFC championship game.Renck: Broncos’ Sean Payton is built for games like this. It’s on him to deliver vs. BillsDo Broncos own advantage over Bills because of week off? Texans: TE Dalton Schultz left in the first quarter and didn’t return. … LG Tytus Howard limped off and RB Woody Marks exited with a shoulder injury in the second quarter. … TE Cade Stover left in the fourth with a knee injury and didn’t return. Patriots: LB Robert Spillane left in the first quarter with a thumb injury, but returned. … RB TreVeyon Henderson was shaken up after a second quarter run before jogging off. … S Craig Woodson exited after his INT with a head injury, but returned. … RB Rhamondre Stevenson left in the second quarter with an eye issue. … Davis left in the fourth quarter with a head injury.Shelter-in-place near DU lifted; Denver sent alert to 'broader area than intended'Parker Gabriel’s 7 Thoughts after Broncos’ wild OT win vs. Bills, including why Sean Payton trusts Jarrett Stidham Parker Gabriel's 7 Thoughts after Broncos' wild OT win vs. Bills, including why Sean Payton trusts Jarrett StidhamKeeler: If Broncos' Jarrett Stidham can be steady as Marvin Mims, Denver will be OKHow it Happened: Broncos beat Bills in overtime thriller to advance to AFC championship game
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