Patriots hold off Texans in turnover-filled divisional round playoff game

In a sloppy, snowy affair at Gillette Stadium, the New England Patriots outlasted the Houston Texans 28-16 to secure a spot in the AFC Championship Game. The contest was defined by eight turnovers, with Patriots quarterback Drake Maye overcoming three giveaways to throw three touchdowns, while Texans QB C.J. Stroud was intercepted four times in the first half alone. The wintry conditions in Foxborough contributed to the messy play, as both offenses struggled to maintain possession. Maye, despite fumbling four times and throwing an interception, delivered key passes, including a 32-yard touchdown to Kayshon Boutte in the fourth quarter that sealed the victory. On the other side, Stroud’s performance was marred by poor decisions under pressure, leading to multiple interceptions and a pick-six returned by Patriots cornerback Marcus Jones for a score. New England’s defense was the star of the game, forcing five turnovers and limiting Houston to minimal rushing yards. The unit capitalized on Stroud’s mistakes, with cornerback Carlton Davis III snagging two interceptions and the front seven consistently disrupting the Texans’ backfield. This defensive dominance has been a trend in the playoffs, following a strong showing against the Los Angeles Chargers in the wild-card round. Houston’s woes were compounded by injuries, as tight end Dalton Schultz exited early with a calf issue, and the team was already without top receiver Nico Collins due to a concussion. The Texans’ defense, usually reliable, forced three turnovers but wore down in the fourth quarter, allowing the Patriots to control the clock and secure the win. With the victory, the Patriots advance to face the Denver Broncos in the AFC Championship Game, where they will meet backup quarterback Jarrett Stidham, filling in for the injured Bo Nix. This sets up a favorable matchup for New England as they seek their first Super Bowl appearance in over a decade. Meanwhile, the Texans’ loss raises questions about Stroud’s future contract negotiations after a playoff collapse. The game highlighted the Patriots’ resilience and defensive prowess, key factors as they head to Denver. For Houston, it was another disappointing end in the divisional round, extending the franchise’s winless record in this playoff stage and casting doubt on offseason decisions.