Drake Maye Leads Patriots to Victory Over Texans, Securing Spot in AFC Championship Game

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — The New England Patriots secured a 28-16 victory over the Houston Texans on Sunday, marking their first advance to the AFC Championship Game in seven years. Quarterback Drake Maye threw three touchdown passes while Marcus Jones returned one of C.J. Stroud’s four interceptions for a score, leading the Patriots to triumph.

Under first-year coach Mike Vrabel, the Patriots, now with a record of 16-3, will face the Denver Broncos (15-3) next Sunday, aiming for a spot in the Super Bowl. This will be New England’s 16th appearance in a conference championship game, their first since the 2018 season when they won their sixth Super Bowl title.

Maye completed 16 of 27 passes for 179 yards, though he also faced challenges, throwing one interception and fumbling four times, losing two in adverse weather that included snow and rain. One of his fumbles directly contributed to Houston’s first touchdown.

“Just proud of the guys,” Maye stated. “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.”

Defensively, Carlton Davis III recorded two interceptions, while Craig Woodson added an interception and a fumble recovery. Maye praised his defense, emphasizing their consistent performance. “They bring it every week. It’s fun to watch,” he noted.

The game was marked by a combined eight turnovers—an unusual statistic, with this being the most in a playoff game since 2015. The Texans, under coach DeMeco Ryans, have now lost in the divisional round for three consecutive seasons, holding an unflattering 0-7 record in this playoff stage.

Stroud completed 20 of 47 passes, throwing one touchdown but also facing difficulties with all his interceptions occurring during the first half. He became the first player in postseason history to record five or more interceptions and five or more fumbles in a single postseason. Notably, Will Anderson forced two fumbles for the Texans.

As the game progressed into the fourth quarter, the Patriots widened their lead to 27-16 when Kayshon Boutte made a diving catch in the end zone. The Texans attempted a comeback but faced a setback, punting on a crucial fourth-and-18 from their own 21-yard line.

New England’s subsequent drive consumed valuable time, with the Texans ultimately turning the ball over on downs when Stroud’s pass was batted down.

With the victory, the Patriots remain in contention for a Super Bowl appearance, looking to capitalize on their recent momentum as they move forward in the playoffs.