Texans 16-28 Patriots, Maye leads Pats to playoff win, summary: score, stats, highlights|NFL Divisional Round
The New England Patriots beat the Houston Texans in the Divisional Round of the playoffs and will face the Denver Broncos in AFC Title game.
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Pats beat Texans 28-16
Patriots punch ticket to AFC Title Game
In a snowy, slippery Gillette Stadium, the New England Patriots leaned on opportunistic defense and timely offense to defeat the Houston Texans 28-16 on Sunday, advancing to the AFC Championship Game where they'll face the Denver Broncos.
The final score undersells just how chaotic this game was. Turnovers defined the afternoon, especially for Houston, and while neither offense was particularly clean, New England consistently capitalized when the Texans handed them extra possessions.
Turnovers tell the story
Texans QB C.J. Stroud endured the roughest playoff outing of his young career, finishing 20-of-47 for 212 yards with one touchdown and four interceptions, plus a lost fumble. The Patriots’ defense overwhelmed him all afternoon, disguising coverages, collapsing pockets, and baiting throws in poor weather conditions.
The defining moment came early in the second quarter when Marcus Jones jumped a pressured Stroud throw and returned it 26 yards for a pick-six, flipping momentum back to New England after Houston briefly took a 10–7 lead. Jones wasn’t alone... Carlton Davis III and Craig Woodson also intercepted Stroud, while Christian Gonzalez forced a crucial third-quarter fumble that effectively broke Houston’s rhythm for good.
Houston officially turned the ball over eight times, several of them deep in Patriots territory, repeatedly sabotaging any chance of sustained momentum.
Maye efficient when It mattered
Drake Maye wasn’t flawless. He was sacked five times, threw a late interception on a Hail Mary, and lost the ball four times. But he was composed when New England needed him most. The young MVP candidate finished 16-of-27 for 179 yards and three touchdowns, spreading the ball around and making several big throws on fourth down and in the red zone.
His first touchdown came on a gutsy fourth-and-1 decision, hitting DeMario Douglas, who did the rest with a 28-yard catch-and-run score. Later, Maye found Stefon Diggs on a perfectly placed strike for a seven-yard touchdown late in the first half, extending the Patriots’ lead to 21–10.
The knockout blow came early in the fourth quarter when Maye lofted a deep ball to Kayshon Boutte, who hauled it in for a 32-yard touchdown after a lengthy review confirmed control in the end zone.
Neither run game ever fully took control, but New England did just enough on the ground. Rhamondre Stevenson led the way with 70 yards on 16 carries, grinding clock late and keeping Houston pinned deep. The Patriots outgained the Texans on the ground 105-48, a massive edge given the conditions.
Defensively, New England recorded three sacks, nine quarterback hits, 14 passes defended, and a defensive touchdown. Gonzalez, Spillane, and the interior rotation led by Khyiris Tonga consistently closed windows and limited yards after contact.
Houston managed only 2.2 yards per carry, forcing Stroud into obvious passing situations, exactly what the Patriots wanted in snow.
Injuries mount for Houston
The Texans were already short-handed entering the game and lost more along the way. Tight end Dalton Schultz exited early with a calf injury, while backup Cade Stover later went down as well. Offensive lineman Tytus Howard also left briefly, compounding protection issues against New England’s pass rush.
Without Nico Collins, Houston struggled to create explosive plays, and the margin for error vanished once turnovers piled up.
What’s next?
The Patriots now head to the AFC Championship Game riding elite defense, efficient quarterback play, and home-field confidence even as they prepare to leave Foxborough for Denver. For Houston, a promising season ends in frustration, with turnovers and injuries overshadowing flashes of potential.
On a snowy afternoon where ball security was everything, the Patriots were far from perfect, but they were far steadier than the Texans. That was enough to keep their Super Bowl hopes alive.
PATS BEAT TEXANS 28-16
The Pats offense comes out, Maye takes the knee to run out the clock and that'll do it. The PATRIOTS beat the Texans to move on to the AFC Title game and face the Denver Broncos! The Texans head home to assess things in the offseason.
Stroud pass DEEP to Hutchinson is...INCOMPLETE with Spillaine on the defense
Pats will take over at the Texans 47 to set up the victory formation
Patriots take second timeout
Stroud pass incomplete to Bryant - 4th and 4
Stroud pass incomplete to Noel - 3rd and 4
Stroud pass to Bryant caught for 6 - 2nd and 4
Stroud pass caught by Marks for 13 yards - 1st down
Baringer punts to Texans 20 and Noel returned it to the 28
Maye pass incomplete to Hooper - 4th and 10
TWO-MINUTE WARNING
There are just 2 minutes left in the game and the Texans are about to watch their Super Bowl hopes die. After several turnovers, they're trailing the Patriots by 12 points. The Pats currently have the ball at their own 39 on a 3rd and long.
Stevenson stopped by Al-Shaair for no gain - 3rd and 10
Stevenson gets nowhere, tackled by Togiai and.Jones - 2nd and 10
Patriots take first timeout
Stevenson gains 2 - 1st down
Texans take final timeout
Stevenson gains 9 yards - 2nd and 1
Townsend punts to the Pats 16 and Jones returns it 12 yards to the 28
Stroud SACKED by Tonga for a loss of 8 yards - 4th and 18
Stroud pass to Hutchinson broken up by Gonzalez - 3rd and 10
Stroud pass incomplete - 2nd and 10
Stroud pass to Bryant caught again for 6 yards - 1st down
Stroud pass complete to Bryant for 9 yards - 3rd and 1
Stroud pass incomplete to Bryant - 2nd and 10
Baringer punts to the Texans 14 and Noel makes the fair catch
Maye pass deep to Williams incomplete, defended by Lassiter - 4th and 8 at the Pats 48
Stevenson gets it again for 4 yards - 3rd and 8
Stevenson takes it but Pitre takes him down for a loss of 2 - 2nd and 12
Maye pass complete to Diggs for 14yards! 1st down at the Pats 46
Henderson tackled by Speed for a loss of 3 yards - 3rd and 7
This time, they give it to Henderson and he picks up 6 - 2nd and 4
Stevenson again, 3 yards - 1st down
It's Stevenson again for another run of 9 yards - 2nd and 1
Stevenson takes it again, gains another 6 and the 1st down
Stevenson gains 8 - 2nd and 2
Townsend punts to the 4, Smith gets it to the 1, downed by Ingram
Texans' Stover (who came in to replace Schultz) was injured on the play as his leg was tweaked as he went down
Stroud pass nearly intercepted - 4th and 6
Texans take second timeout
Stroud pass deep to Higgins is incomplete - 3rd and 6
Marks gained 4 - 2nd and 6
Borregales kicks to the Texans 3 and Noel takes it to the 23
Maye's pass to Boutte was caught for 32 yards in the end zone to give the Pats another touchdown. Borregales' PAT was good and the Pats extend their lead over Houston with just under 13 minutes left in the game.
The ruling stands - TOUCHDOWN!
Boutte's TD...if it stands
Boutte made the catch in the endzone, but the touchdown call is under review to see if he had full control
PATRIOTS TOUCHDOWN!
Henderson takes the ball again, but To'oTo'o; and Al-Shaair make the stop for no gain - 3rd and 4
Henderson gains 6 - 2nd and 4
Maye's pass to Boutte was incomplete, but Texans' Stingley was called for Pass Interference - 17 yards, 1st down at the Texans 38
Stevenson tackled by.To'oTo'o after 2 - 3rd and 8
END THIRD QUARTER
That takes us to the end of the 3rd quarter. The Texans are trailing the Pats 21-16 after several costly turnovers.
The Patriots have the ball at 2nd and 10 at their own 43.
Maye SACKED by Hunter for no gain - 2nd and 10
Maye pass to Hooper caught for 14 yards - 1st down
Fairbairn kicks to the 4 and Johnson returns it to the Pats 29
The Texans still couldn't get in the end zone, but Fairbairn made the 51-yards field goal to make it a 5-point game with a minute and a half left in the third quarter.
TEXANS FIELD GOAL!
Stroud pass caught low by Hutchinson for 5 yards - 4th and 8
Pats' Jennings was injured on the previous play
Stroud SACKED by Jennings for a loss of 3 yards - 3rd and 13
Stroud pass incomplete to Stover - 2nd and 10
Stroud pass deep to Higgins incomplete, but Pats' Davis is called for Pass Interference - automatic 1st down at the Pats 35
Stroud pass nearly picked again, tipped and fell to the ground incomplete - 3rd and 7
Chubb gains 3 - 2nd and 7
Baringer punts to the 41 and Noel makes the fair catch
Stevenson gets the ball again, but Stingley takes him down after just a yard - 4th and 7
Stevenson takes it again, gains just 4 - 3rd and 8
Stevenson stuffed by Jones for a loss of 2 - 2nd and 12
Marks fumbled his shoe and the football
I feel like we're watching the Three Stooges...
That is the Texans' EIGHTH turnover of the game...yikes.
Stroud handed it off a little slow to Marks and he lost his shoe, then the football - FUMBLE, ripped out by Gonzalez and recovered by PATRIOTS' Woodson at the Pats 12
Stroud pass caught by Stover for 2 yards - 2nd and 8
Stroud scrambles for 10 yards - 1st down
Stroud pass complete to Higgins for 12 yards - 3rd and 6
Stroud SACKED by Chaisson for a loss of 8 yards - 2nd and 18
Maye's pass TIPPED by Anderson and FUMBLED, recovered by TEXANS' Al-Shaair at the Pats 33, where the Texans will take over!
Maye pass caught by Stevenson, but Togiai makes the tackle for a loss of a yard - 3rd and 6
Stevenson gains 5, tackled by Reed - 2nd and 5
Fairbairn kicks to the Pats 9 and Johnson returns it 22 yards to the 31
The Patriots defense make another stop to force a field goal try instead of a TD by the Texans. Fairbairn made the 25-yard field goal to make it an 8-point game with 9L45 to go in the 3rd quarter.
TEXANS FIELD GOAL!
Stroud pass to Kirk incomplete, broken up by Kirk - 4th and 2
Marks takes it again, but he's stopped by Landry for no gain - 3rd and 2
Marks takes it, gains 8 yards - 2nd and 2
Stover gains 4 - 1st down
Chubb takes it again, gains 2 just short of the down - 3rd and inches
Chubb takes it 7 yards - 2nd and 3
Stroud pass caught by Higgins for 8 yards and a 1st down
After review, officials say Hutchinson was down already so it's 2nd and 6 and Texans avoid a fifth turnover.
Stroud pass caught by Hutchinson but he FUMBLES it (forced by Gonzalez) and it's RECOVERED by Patriots' Jones, who made the pick-6 earlier in the game
BUT officials are reviewing it to see if Hutchinson was down already...
Stroud pass to Hutchinson caught for 23 yards! 1st down at the Pats 40
SECOND HALF BEGINS!
And we are back to start the second half!
Borregales kicks to the end zone - touchback to the Texans 35
Stroud's 4th interception of the first half...
END FIRST HALF
Maye's attempt at a Hail Mary at the end of the half was INTERCEPTED in the end zone by Ingram to end the first half with a touchback.
Pats lead 21-10 at the half. Texans will get the ball on offense to start the second half.
Maye pass incomplete to Diggs - 4th and 11
Patriots take second timeout
Maye pass to Douglas caught for 8 yards - 3rd and 11
Patriots take first timeout
Maye SACKED by Anderson for a loss of 8 yards and he forces a FUMBLE, but it's recovered by Pats' Campbell at the 46 - 2nd and 19
Townsend punts to the Pats 31 and Jones returns it 24 yards to the Texans 45
Stroud scramles for 5 yards, and Texans are called for Illegal Formation, declined - 4th and 9 and Texans will punt it back
Stroud pass incomplete again to Kirk - 3rd and 10
Stroud pass incomplete to Higgins - 2nd and 10
Baringer punts to the Texans 10 and Noel makes the fair catch
Maye pass incomplete to Henderson - 4th and 7 and Texans get a second chance
Maye pass incomplete to Williams - 3rd and 7
Henderson gains 3 - 2nd and 7
Stroud INTERCEPTEDAGAIN, this time by Davis!! The Pats take over at their own 48
TWO-MINUTE WARNING
With two minutes left in the first half, the Texans trail the Pats by 11. The turnovers are proving costly for Houston, but they have a chance to get back in the game ahead of halftime with the ball on the Pats 49 on 1st and 10.
Stroud pass complete to Higgins for 16 yards - 1st down
Marks takes the ball but Barmore takes him down for a loss of 4 yards - 2nd and 14
Stroud's pass deep to Kirk is incomplete but Pats' Davis is called for Pass Interference so Texans get the automatic 1st down at the Texans 39
FalseStart on Texans' Stover - 5 yards, 2nd and 15
Stroud's pass was nearly picked again!! Lucky for him, it fell incomplete - 2nd and 10
Borregales kicks to the Texans 1 and Noel takes it to the 24
What a catch by Diggs!
Boutte made two big catches to get the Pats in scoring position and Maye made the pass to Diggs, who made an incredible catch for the 7-yard touchdown. Borregales' PAT was good and the Pats extend the lead wit h3:12 left in the first half.
PATRIOTS TOUCHDOWN!
Maye pass caught by Boutte for 18 yards - 1st and goal at the Texans 7
Henderson gains 3 - 2nd and 7
Maye pass to Boutte completet for 25yards! 1st down at the Texans 28
Henderson gains 3 - 2nd and 7
Townsend punts to the Pats 46 and Jones takes the ball but Ingram makes the stop for a loss of 2 - 1st down at the Pats 44
Stroud pass incomplete - 4th and 10
Texans' Schultz has officially been ruled out and Marks is questionable
Stroud pass incomplete to Chubb - 3rd and 10
Texans' OL Tytus Howard was injured on the previous play
Stroud throw under pressure again is incomplete, at least not picked this time! 2nd and 10
Baringer punts to Texans 9 and Noel makes the fair catch
Maye pass to Henry is caught but he gets just 5 yards - 4th and 8 and Pats will punt
Maye SACKED by Anderson for a loss of 8 yards - 3rd and 13
Henderson gains 5 - 2nd and 5
Third turnover for Texans...
Stroud pass INTERCEPTED AGAIN!!!! Tipped by Hutchinson himself and into the hands Woodson at the Texans 48.
Marks stopped by Davis and Jones for a loss of a yardr - 2nd and 11
Stroud pass to Hutchinson caught for 12 - 1st down
Marks stopped by Ellis for a loss of a yard - 2nd and 11
Borregales kicks to the Texans 1 and Noel returns it to the 26
Jones with the Pats Pick-6!
The Texans had just kicked off, but Stroud was under pressure by Chaisson and his throw left the ball up in the air to land in anyone's hands. It happened to fall right into the hands of Patriots cornerback Marcus Jones, who ran it back 26 yards for the pick-six. Borregales came on to make the extra point ant the Patriots are back up with 10:31 to play in the first half.
PATRIOTS TOUCHDOWN!
Stroud's pass INTERCEPTED by Jones and it's a PICK-SIX!
Baringer punts to the Texans 25 and Noel makes the fair catch
Maye makes two incomplete passes in a row to put the Pats at 4th and 9
Pats' Henderson was injured on the previous play
Henderson stopped by Hunter after just a yard - 2nd and 9
Maye escapes a sack, scrambles away for 8 yards and the 1st down
Henderson gains 3 - 3rd and 7
Maye pass nearly picked by Lassiter - incomplete, 2nd and 10
Fairbairn kicks to the Pats 8 and Chism takes it to the 27
Kirk with the Texans TD!
After Togiai forced the fumble on Drake Maye, the Texans were put back into position to score. Drake Maye made the 10-yard pass to WR Christian Kirk in the end zone for the TD. Fairbairn made the extra point and the Texans take the lead with 12:51 left in the first half of the game.
TEXANS TOUCHDOWN!
Marks gets hit hard by Elliss and Williams as his helmet goes flying - no gain, 3rd and 4
Stroud pass to Marks for 6 yards - 2nd and 4
Direct snap to Stover and he gains 2 yards for the 1st down
Togiai bailing out the Houston offense
END FIRST QUARTER
In a snowy Gillette Stadium, the Patriots are ahead by 4 points at the end of the first quarter. After Texans QB CJ Stroud threw an interception, he was bailed out by his defense as DT Tommy Togiai forced a fumble and got them the ball back again.
Now, Houston has the ball at 3rd and 1 at the Patriots 18 to start the second quarter as they look to steal the lead.
Marks gains 4 - 3rd and 1
Stroud pass complete to Higgins for 5 yards - 2nd and 5
Togiai was the one to punch the ball out and recover it at the Patriots 27 to give Houston's offense another chance after the interception
Maye scrambles for 5 yards but the ball came loose and it's a FUMBLE, recovered by TEXANS
Stevenson gains 5 yards - 2nd and 5
Stroud's pass intercepted by CB Carlton Davis
Schultz injured
Not good for a Texans team already missing WR Nico Collins....
Stroud pass INTERCEPTED by Davis! The Pats take over at their own 18
Chubb takes the ball 2 yards - 1st down
Stroud pass complete to Higgins this time as he leaps in the air and stays inbounds - 9 yards puts them at 4th and inches and of course, they'll go for it
Stroud pass incomplete to Higgins - 3rd and 10
Texans TE Dalton Schultz is questionable to return with a calf injury
Marks stopped by Chaisson for no gain - 2nd and 10
Baringer punted to the Texans 42 and Noel returned it 11 yards to the Pats 47
Maye FUMBLED, the ball knocked out by Hunter and he missed the recovery. Pats' Campbell recovered it at the 3 instead. 4th and 29 will force the punt, but the Pats escaped a dangerous turnover there.
Maye pass incomplete - 3rd and 10
Henderson stuffed by Barnett and Togiai, no gain - 2nd and 10
Fairbairn kicks to the Pats 0 and Williams takes it to the 22
The Texans set up their score on a 42-yard run by Dalton Schultz. They had a touchdown run by Marks get nullified due to an Illegal Shift penalty on 3rd and goal, and on the next play, Stroud threw an incomplete pass to set up 4th down. Fairbairn instead made the 25-yard field goal try and Houston is at least on the board now with 5:26 left to play in the 1st quarter.
TEXANS FIELD GOAL!
Stroud's pass to Marks is incomplete in the end zone this time - 4th and goal and now they'll settle for a field goal try.
Illegal Shift on Texans - will put them back at 3rd and goal at the 7
Marks took the ball in the end zone, but there is a flag on the play...
Stroud makes the toss to Schultz for a gain of 5 - 3rd and goal at the 1-yard line
Marks takes the ball, but Tavai makes the stop for no gain - 2nd and goal at the 6
Personal Foul on Patriots' Davis - 7 yards, 1st and goal at the Pats 6
Stroud pass caught by Kirk for the 1st down, and there's a flag on the play, looking like a Face Mask on Pats
Stroud pass incomplete to Hutchinson as Elliss tipped it - 3rd and 6
Stroud makes the throw under pressure and Higgins makes the catch for 9 yards - 2nd and 6
False Start on Texans' Schultz - 5 yards, 1st and 15
Stroud's short pass to Schultz is caught and he takes off for 42 YARDS! 1st down at the Pats 27
Stroud's pass is nearly picked by Davis, but Higgins (the intended target) was able to knock it away - incomplete, 3rd and 8
Marks gains 2, stopped by Tonga and Jennings - 2nd and 8
Borregales kicks to the Texans 10 and Berrios returns it 19 yards to the 29
Douglas TD puts Pats ahead!
After two tackles for losses, DrakeMaye made two big throws. They were held to 4th and 1, but decided to go for it and it paid off big time as Maye's pass to Douglas was caught and he ran 28 yards for the touchdown. Borregales' PAT was good and the Patriots take the early lead with 9:35 to play in the first quarter.
PATRIOTS TOUCHDOWN!
Maye's pass to Diggs is CAUGHT for 13 yards - 4th and 1 and Vrabel and the Pats are going for it
To'oTo'o is making a big impact already, taking down Henderson this time for another loss of 2 yards - 3rd and 14
Henderson takes the ball but Pitre makes the stop for a loss of 2 yards - 2nd and 12
Stevenson takes it again and he gets away for a big 20-yard gain - 1st down at the Texans 37
Maye pass caught by Stevenson and he makes a run for 9 yards - 2nd and 1
Weather is factoring already
The Pats and Texans traded 3-and-outs with snow falling, making for a slippery field and slippery football!
Townsend punted to the Pats 16 and Jones returned it 18 yards to the 34, where New England will take over again.
Texans go 3 and out!
Stroud pass to Kirk is bobbled and DROPPED - 4th and 7
Marks takes the ball, gains 3 - 3rd and 7
Stroud pass incomplete to Hutchinson - 2nd and 10
Baringer punts to the Texans 15 and Noel returns it 11 yards to the 26
Texans offense takes the field
Pats go 3 and out to start
Maye's pass to Diggs was complete on the next play, but To'oTo'o made the stop again after 5, so the Pats will punt it back on 4th and 5
RB Rhamondre Stevenson gets the ball to start, but he's stuffed immediately by Rankins and Anderson. On the next play, Maye's throw to Henry was incomplete, defended by To'oTo'o and the Pats are suddenly at a 3rd and long!
Fairbairn kicked to the end zone - touchback to Pats 35
GAME TIME!
Snow is falling and it is GO TIME!
Texans won the toss and have elected to defer and we are OFF in Foxborough!
Pats will start us on offense.
Fran Rogers with the national anthem ahead of kickoff...
Next week's plan for the winner...
The winner of this game will head to Denver to play the Broncos in the AFC Championship game next week after they defeated the Buffalo Bills on Saturday night.
The Broncos will be without their star quarterback Bo Nix, who suffered a fractured ankle at the end of the game. That should make it a bit easier for whichever team faces them to move on to Super Bowl LX.
Over in the NFC, the Los Angeles Rams are facing the Chicago Bears tonight to see who will play the Seattle Seahawks next week for a chance at the Super Bowl as well. The Seahawks beat the Niners in convincing fashion, with the defense keeping them out of the end zone for the second time this season.
Patriots-Texans Injury Report/Inactives
Patriots Injury Report
New England enters the Divisional Round in strong shape defensively, getting key reinforcements back at exactly the right time. Pro Bowl corner Christian Gonzalez has been cleared from concussion protocol and will return to the lineup, a massive boost for a secondary that finished among the league's best against the pass. Up front, DT Khyiris Tonga is active for the first time since Week 16, adding a much-needed space-eater alongside Christian Barmore and Milton Williams to help control the interior run game. Linebacker Harold Landry, the Patriots’ sack leader, is also good to go after being listed as questionable, giving New England its full complement of defensive playmakers for another home playoff game.
Patriots INACTIVES
QB Tommy DeVito
CB Kobee Minor
OLB Bradyn Swinson
OT Marcus Bryant
G Caedan Wallace
DT Eric Gregory
TE C.J. Dippre
Texans Injury Report
Houston will be shorthanded on offense, most notably without star wide receiver Nico Collins, who remains in concussion protocol after last week’s Wild Card win. Collins’ absence strips C.J. Stroud of his top target and forces the Texans to lean more heavily on Christian Kirk, Jayden Higgins, and Xavier Hutchinson. The offensive line also takes a hit with RT Trent Brown ruled out after failing to recover from a lingering ankle injury, likely forcing a shuffle up front against a Patriots pass rush that thrives on disruption.
Texans INACTIVES
WR Nico Collins
WR Justin Watson
OT Trent Brown
RB Jawhar Jordan
QB Graham Mertz
CB Alijah Huzzie
As we head into the Divisional Round this weekend, the teams who advance to the Super Bowl may reveal themselves early with this hidden stat.
MVP chants for Drake Maye from Pats fans!
A familiar voice at New England sporting events will perform “The Star-Spangled Banner” before Sunday's playoff showdown
Contract talks
A look at the contracts of both teams' headcoaches and quarterbacks.
Why defense could decide the game
Everything about tonight's matchup points toward a defense-driven game, and not just because of the snow factor.
New England’s defense has been dominant at home, winning with coverage discipline and a pass rush that doesn’t need to blitz heavily to create chaos. On the other side, Houston’s defense is fast, aggressive, and built to punish hesitation, especially if Drake Maye holds the ball even a beat too long.
With footing uncertain, ball security at a premium, and field position likely dictating momentum, this is set to be a game where punts, turnovers, and red-zone stands matter more than explosive offense, the kind of playoff contest where the defense decide who survives.
The Patriots believed Drake Maye would take a step forward in Year 2, but few expected a leap straight into the MVP conversation. New pieces were added around him, from a new head coach to an elite offensive coordinator and upgraded protection, but it was Maye who made everything click. His growth showed up everywhere: sharper reads, elite accuracy at all levels, and a calm command of the offense that erased any lingering memory of the quarterback he replaced.
What separates Maye is how he balances creativity with control. He's a natural playmaker who can extend snaps, threaten defenses with his legs, and still deliver the ball with velocity when it matters most. The Patriots have ridden that confidence all season, and now, with a playoff win already in hand, Maye enters the Divisional Round not as a rising star, but as the engine behind an MVP-caliber run that has New England right back in the AFC title picture.
The Houston Texans are chasing a historic ticket to the AFC Championship Game - but will do so without their star wide receiver.
Snow in Foxborough could shape the day
The Patriots and Texans won't just be battling each other Sunday afternoon. They'll be battling the elements at Gillette Stadium.
Snow is expected in Foxborough, with flurries likely during the game and total accumulations in the area projected to reach a few inches. Temperatures hovering in the mid-30s, slick turf, and light wind could all combine to make ball security and footing a premium, especially for two young quarterbacks in Drake Maye and C.J. Stroud, neither of whom has much playoff experience in snowy conditions.
Weather games in New England have a way of taking on a life of their own, and Gillette has long been a difficult place for visitors in the winter months. The Texans know that history well, though they did break through with a regular-season win here last year. Now they face the added challenge of doing it in wintry conditions.
Weather forecast:
High: 36 degrees
Low: 23 degrees
Chance of precipitation: 70%
Wind: 5 mph
Houston Texans: Road to the Divisional Round
The Texans overcame an early 0-3 start to string together one of the most impressive mid-season runs in the league, finishing 12-5 and earning the No. 5 seed in the AFC.
After stumbling out of the gate, Houston reeled off a nine-game winning streak to surge into the postseason and secure their second straight playoff berth under coach DeMeco Ryans. In the Wild Card Round on the road, the Texans delivered a statement performance, blowing out the Pittsburgh Steelers 30-6, marking their first road playoff victory in franchise history. With a defense that ranks among the best in the league and emerging playmakers on offense, Houston now travels to Foxborough to take on the Patriots in the Divisional Round.
New England Patriots: Road to the Divisional Round
The Patriots capped a remarkable turnaround in 2025, finishing 14-3 and winning the AFC East, their first division title since 2019 and their best record in years under new head coach Mike Vrabel.
It was a massive bounce-back after back-to-back down seasons, and QB Drake Maye emerged as a true leader, throwing for over 4,300 yards with 31 touchdowns on the year. New England carried that momentum into the playoffs as the No. 2 seed, hosting the Los Angeles Chargers in the Wild Card Round and dominating 16-3 behind a defense that allowed no TDs and recorded six sacks. That win gave the Pats their first playoff victory in several years and set the stage for today's Divisional matchup at Gillette Stadium vs the Texans.
Patriots vs Texans live from Foxborough!
Good afternoon and welcome to Gillette Stadium where the New England Patriots are hosting the Houston Texans in the Divisional Round of the NFL Playoffs!
It's going to be a chilly one with snow expected to fall. Kickoff is at 3 p.m. ET and we will be here to bring you all the live updates, stats, highlights, and commentary up to the final whistle.
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