Maye throws 3 TD passes, Stroud has
4 INTs as Patriots top Texans 28-16 to advance to AFC title game
[January 19, 2026]
By KYLE HIGHTOWER
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) — Mike Vrabel returned to New England on a
mission to have the franchise playing again in meaningful games in
January — as he did so often as a player.
In his first year as the head coach, he wanted to do it by building
a culture of players that wanted to perform for each another. Their
most complete team effort of the season has the Patriots one win
from a trip to the Super Bowl.
Drake Maye threw three touchdown passes in the snow and rain, Marcus
Jones returned one of C.J. Stroud’s four interceptions for a score
and the Patriots defeated the Houston Texans 28-16 on Sunday to
advance to the AFC championship game for the first time in seven
years.
The Patriots (16-3) will take on the Broncos (15-3) in Denver next
Sunday, with the winner advancing to the NFL's title game in three
weeks.
"Everybody’s stepping up. We’re using everybody. Everybody’s making
plays. Everybody’s helping us win," said Vrabel, who won three Super
Bowls as a playmaking linebacker for the Patriots. “I’m excited for
these guys, but also, they’re not satisfied, and I can tell that.”
The Patriots — winners of 15 of their last 16 games — 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. One of Maye’s fumbles set up Houston’s first
touchdown.
“Just proud of the guys,” Maye said. “Battled the elements. This is
New England. This is what we’re trying to embrace and we want to
embrace all season long. Props to our defense, played a hell of a
game. We’ve got to protect the football better, but we made enough
plays to win it.”
Carlton Davis III had two interceptions for New England. Craig
Woodson added an interception and fumble recovery.
“They bring it every week,” Maye said of his defense. “It’s fun to
watch. And we could help them out some more, but just proud of the
guys. Enjoy this one, and we’re back on the road.”
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 (13-6) have lost in the divisional round in three
straight seasons under coach DeMeco Ryans. The franchise fell to 0-7
in this round.
"It’s tough to win a game when you turn the ball over five times,"
Ryans said.
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.
“I feel like I let people down,” Stroud said. "I’m not happy with
that. It hurts. I’m not used to it."
[to top of second column] |
New England Patriots cornerback Marcus Jones (25) returns an
interception for a touchdown against Houston Texans wide receiver
Xavier Hutchinson (19) during the first half of an NFL divisional
playoff football game, Sunday, Jan. 18, 2026, in Foxborough, Mass.
(AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty)
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.
The Patriots now go back on the road, where they are 8-0 this
season.
“We feel like we deserve to be here,” Maye said. "I like our chances
with those guys in the locker room.”
Early action
With the Patriots leading 7-3 early, a series of miscues produced
the next two scores.
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.
Mr. Pick-6
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.
Injuries
Texans: TE Dalton Schultz (calf) left in the first quarter and
didn’t return. ... LG Tytus Howard limped off 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
injured his head in the fourth quarter.
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