FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (Interstat) — The New England Patriots advanced in the NFL playoffs Sunday, defeating the Houston Texans 28-16 at Gillette Stadium. Patriots quarterback Drake Maye threw three touchdown passes, connecting with DeMario Douglas, Stefon Diggs and Kayshon Boutte before a crowd of 64,628. Houston quarterback C.J. Stroud struggled, completing 20 of 47 passes for 212 yards and a touchdown. The Texans were hampered by mistakes, including a first-quarter touchdown run nullified by penalty. New England’s defense intercepted three passes, with Marcus Jones returning one for a score. The Patriots improved to 16-3 overall, while the Texans finished their season at 13-6. New England scored 14 second-quarter points to take a lead it would not relinquish. Houston’s scoring came via a Stroud touchdown pass and three Ka’imi Fairbairn field goals.

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (Interstat) — In a game defined by opportunistic defense and a young quarterback’s poise, the New England Patriots advanced in the NFL playoffs by defeating the Houston Texans 28 to 16 on Sunday at Gillette Stadium. A crowd of 64,628 watched as the Patriots, now 16-3 overall, capitalized on four Houston turnovers and rode an efficient three-touchdown performance from quarterback Drake Maye to secure the victory. The Texans, who entered as a slight favorite according to some metrics, saw their season end with a 13-6 record after their offense repeatedly stalled in critical moments. The most important sequence of the game unfolded in the second quarter, transforming the contest’s momentum. After trading early scores—a 28-yard touchdown pass from Maye to DeMario Douglas and a 10-yard scoring connection from C.J. Stroud to Christian Kirk—the Patriots held a narrow 7 to 3 lead. The Texans, driving to tie or take the lead, saw the game turn decisively. With just over 10 minutes remaining in the half, Stroud’s pass intended for Xavier Hutchinson was intercepted by Patriots cornerback Marcus Jones, who returned it 31 yards for a touchdown. The pick-six extended New England’s lead to 14 to 3. On Houston’s very next offensive series, Stroud was intercepted again, this time by safety Craig Woodson. Although that turnover did not lead directly to points, it set the tone for a half defined by New England’s defensive dominance. The Patriots’ defense sealed the first half by thwarting Houston’s final meaningful drive. After a penalty moved the Texans into New England territory, cornerback Carlton Davis III intercepted Stroud at the Patriots 48 with 1:54 left. The New England offense then efficiently marched 52 yards in eight plays, capped by a 7-yard touchdown pass from Maye to Stefon Diggs with 3:12 on the clock. The score gave the Patriots a commanding 21 to 3 halftime lead, a margin built almost entirely by the defense’s ability to convert turnovers into points. Houston attempted a second-half rally, managing a pair of Ka’imi Fairbairn field goals to cut the deficit to 21 to 16 by the end of the third quarter. However, any hope of a complete comeback was extinguished early in the fourth quarter. Facing a third down near midfield, Maye launched a deep pass to Kayshon Boutte, who hauled in a 32-yard touchdown despite tight coverage. The score, upheld by replay review, pushed New England’s lead back to 28 to 16 with 12:58 remaining, effectively putting the game out of reach. Maye, the Patriots’ second-year quarterback from Huntersville, North Carolina, finished with a statline of 16 completions on 27 attempts for 179 yards and the three touchdowns, adding 10 yards on four rushes. His performance was a model of efficiency, avoiding the critical mistakes that plagued his counterpart. His top targets were Boutte, who had three catches for 75 yards and the clinching score, and Diggs, who caught four passes for 40 yards and a touchdown. Stroud, the Texans’ quarterback, endured a difficult afternoon against a relentless Patriots secondary. He completed 20 of 47 passes for 212 yards with one touchdown and three interceptions, adding 11 rushing yards on two carries. His primary receiver was Jayden Higgins, who caught six passes for 59 yards. The Houston ground game, led by Woody Marks, was largely contained, forcing Stroud into obvious passing situations where the Patriots’ pass rush, led by Anfernee Jennings and K’Lavon Chaisson with a sack each, could apply pressure. Defensively, the Patriots were led by cornerback Christian Gonzalez with nine tackles, while linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair had nine tackles for Houston. The turnover battle proved decisive, with New England’s four takeaways—interceptions by Davis (2), Jones, and Woodson—directly accounting for 14 points and preventing at least three promising Houston drives. The victory sends the Patriots deeper into the postseason, continuing a campaign that has seen them win 16 of 19 games. For the Texans, a season that included a 13-win regular campaign and a playoff victory the previous week ends in Foxborough, their offense unable to overcome a barrage of self-inflicted errors against a disciplined Patriots squad.

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (Interstat) — A classic postseason quarterback duel is set for Gillette Stadium on Sunday, Jan. 18, 2026, when the upstart Houston Texans visit the powerhouse New England Patriots in an NFL playoff game. The Patriots (15-3), boasting the AFC’s best record, enter as heavy favorites. Their resurgence has been fueled by rookie sensation Drake Maye, who has been spectacular down the stretch. In his last four games, Maye has accounted for nine touchdowns, showcasing a dynamic blend of arm talent and rushing ability, including a 268-yard, one-total-touchdown performance in a 16-3 win over the Los Angeles Chargers last Sunday. Standing in their path is the AFC South champion Houston Texans (13-5), led by third-year star C.J. Stroud. Houston arrives with momentum, having dismantled the Pittsburgh Steelers 30-6 on the road last Monday. Stroud was efficient in that victory, and the Texans’ ground game, featuring Woody Marks and Nick Chubb, added a punishing 160-yard dimension. This matchup pits Houston’s high-octane offense, which has scored 30 or more points in three of its last five games, against a formidable New England defense that has not allowed more than 16 points in its last three contests. The Patriots’ defense stifled the Chargers last week, setting the stage for a compelling strength-versus-strength battle. Recent history offers little guidance, as these teams have not met this season. The Patriots have been nearly unbeatable at home, while the Texans have proven their mettle on the road, including playoff wins in Pittsburgh and Kansas City this season. According to National Statistical’s game simulator, the Patriots’ home-field advantage and consistent dominance will prevail, projecting a 34-21 victory for New England. However, with Stroud’s poise and a Texans team riding a five-game winning streak, an upset in the frosty New England air is firmly within the realm of possibility. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m. EST Sunday at Gillette Stadium. The winner will advance to the AFC Championship Game.