Maye throws 3 TD passes, Stroud has 4 INTs as Patriots top Texans 28-16 to advance to AFC title game

— 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.
Jan 18, 2026, 08:10 pm - AP
OpenSpreadTotalML
Houston TexansTexansHOU
(12-5)
(12-5, 5-3 Away)
o41.5
-110
+3
+105
o40.5
-115
+150
New England PatriotsPatriotsNE
(14-3)
(14-3, 6-3 Home)
-3
-110
-3
-125
u40.5
-105
-180
Play-By-Play
1st Quarter
New England Patriots
Touchdown
9:35 - 1st
0
HOU
7
NE
DeMario Douglas 28 Yd pass from Drake Maye (Andy Borregales Kick)
6 plays, 66 yards, 3:18
Houston Texans
Field Goal
5:26 - 1st
3
HOU
7
NE
Ka'imi Fairbairn 25 Yd Field Goal
10 plays, 65 yards, 4:09
2nd Quarter
Houston Texans
Touchdown
12:51 - 2nd
10
HOU
7
NE
Christian Kirk 10 Yd pass from C.J. Stroud (Ka'imi Fairbairn Kick)
6 plays, 27 yards, 3:02
New England Patriots
Touchdown
10:31 - 2nd
10
HOU
14
NE
Marcus Jones 26 Yd Interception Return (Andy Borregales Kick)
1 play, 0 yards, 0:10
New England Patriots
Touchdown
3:12 - 2nd
10
HOU
21
NE
Stefon Diggs 7 Yd pass from Drake Maye (Andy Borregales Kick)
5 plays, 56 yards, 2:48
3rd Quarter
Houston Texans
Field Goal
9:45 - 3rd
13
HOU
21
NE
Ka'imi Fairbairn 25 Yd Field Goal
11 plays, 58 yards, 5:15
Houston Texans
Field Goal
1:32 - 3rd
16
HOU
21
NE
Ka'imi Fairbairn 51 Yd Field Goal
6 plays, 26 yards, 1:56
4th Quarter
New England Patriots
Touchdown
12:58 - 4th
16
HOU
28
NE
Kayshon Boutte 32 Yd pass from Drake Maye (Andy Borregales Kick)
6 plays, 71 yards, 3:34
Data is currently unavailable.