Patriots Capitalize on Chaos, Eliminate Texans 28-16 to Reach AFC Championship

By Larry Belmontes

Date: 1/18/26

January football in Foxborough has a familiar script, and on Sunday, it played out once again.

The New England Patriots took full advantage of a turnover-filled night from the Houston Texans, riding three touchdown passes from rookie quarterback Drake Maye to a 28-16 AFC Divisional Playoff victory at Gillette Stadium.

It wasn’t flashy. It wasn’t dominant on the stat sheet. But it was efficient, opportunistic, and brutally Patriots like.

And now, New England is back in the AFC Championship Game.

Turnovers Told the Story

Houston entered the postseason riding momentum and confidence behind C.J. Stroud, but that confidence unraveled quickly.

Stroud endured the roughest playoff outing of his young career, throwing four interceptions as the Texans finished the afternoon with five total turnovers, including a devastating pick-six early in the second quarter.

That moment flipped the game.

With Houston leading 10-7, Marcus Jones jumped a Stroud throw and raced 26 yards for a touchdown, instantly swinging momentum back to New England and igniting the crowd.

From there, the Patriots never looked back.

Drake Maye Stayed Poised When It Mattered

Maye didn’t need to be spectacular, he just needed to be steady.

The rookie finished 16 of 27 for 179 yards, three touchdowns, and one interception, spreading the ball around and punishing Houston every time the Texans made a mistake.

Touchdown passes to DeMario Douglas, Stefon Diggs, and Kayshon Boutte kept the Patriots in control throughout the game. Boutte’s 32 yard touchdown in the fourth quarter was the final dagger, pushing the lead to 28-16 and sealing Houston’s fate.

This was the kind of game that doesn’t show up in highlight reels, but wins playoff games.

Texans Couldn’t Finish Drives

Despite staying within striking distance for much of the night, Houston repeatedly failed to capitalize.

The Texans:

• Managed just one touchdown

• Went 1-for-4 in the red zone

• Converted 7 of 17 third downs

• Turned the ball over five times

Even with Will Anderson Jr. generating pressure and Ka’imi Fairbairn keeping Houston afloat with field goals, the Texans never found rhythm or control.

Against a disciplined New England team, that margin for error simply doesn’t exist.

The Bigger Picture: New England Is Built for This

This wasn’t a blowout, but it was a professional playoff win.

New England won the turnover battle, dictated tempo, and leaned on situational execution, exactly the formula that has defined the franchise for decades. Head coach Mike Vrabel continues to leave his imprint, guiding a young quarterback through the pressure of January football with precision.

At 14-3, the Patriots are once again where they expect to be.

Final Word

Houston’s season ends with valuable lessons and painful ones. New England’s season continues with belief, balance, and momentum.

The Patriots didn’t dominate the Texans.

They outsmarted them.

And now, with another AFC Championship appearance secured, the rest of the conference is officially on notice.

Tune into Three And Out each season for PURE football talk with Larry B. and Teran Rodriguez each week!