Foxborough Frost: Patriots Stifle Texans to Secure AFC Championship Berth

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FOXBOROUGH, MA — Under a relentless mix of snow and freezing rain at Gillette Stadium, the New England Patriots channeled their championship lineage on Sunday, January 18, 2026. Behind a suffocating defensive performance that forced five turnovers, the Patriots defeated the Houston Texans 28–16, advancing to their first AFC Championship Game in seven years.

The victory marks a triumphant return to the conference’s final four for Mike Vrabel, who has revitalized the franchise in his second year at the helm. New England now heads to Denver next week for a showdown with the top-seeded Broncos.

Chaos in the Elements

The story of the game was the weather and the resulting ball-security nightmare. The two teams combined for a staggering eight turnovers, the most in an NFL playoff game since 2015.

While Patriots QB Drake Maye struggled with the slick conditions—fumbling four times and losing two—it was his counterpart, C.J. Stroud, who faced the brunt of the “Foxborough Fog.” Stroud threw four interceptions, all in a disastrous first half that gave New England the cushion they needed to survive.

The “No-Fly” Zone Returns

The Patriots’ secondary, led by veterans and rising stars alike, looked like the elite units of the early 2000s.

The Pick-Six: With New England trailing 10–7 in the second quarter, Marcus Jones intercepted a hurried Stroud pass and returned it 26 yards for a touchdown. The score flipped the momentum for good.
Davis’s Duo: Cornerback Carlton Davis III recorded two interceptions, effectively erasing the Texans’ deep threats for most of the afternoon.
The Rookie’s Mark: Safety Craig Woodson added a fourth interception and recovered a fumble, punctuating a defensive clinic that held the high-powered Texans to just 16 points.

Maye’s Resilience and the “Catch of the Year”

Despite the fumbles, Drake Maye (16-of-27, 179 yards, 3 TDs) displayed the poise that made him a 2025 MVP contender.

The highlight of the night came with 12:58 left in the fourth quarter. Facing a tight 21–16 lead, Maye launched a 32-yard shot into the corner of the end zone. Kayshon Boutte tracked the ball through the snow and secured a one-handed, highlight-reel touchdown while falling out of bounds. The play survived a booth review and effectively ended Houston’s hopes.

“Just proud of the guys,” Maye said post-game. “We battled the elements. This is New England. This is what we want to embrace. We’ve got to protect the football better, but our defense played a hell of a game.”

Game Summary & Stats

Player	Team	Stats
Drake Maye	NE	179 Pass Yds, 3 TD, 1 INT, 4 FUM
C.J. Stroud	HOU	212 Pass Yds, 1 TD, 4 INT
Stefon Diggs	NE	4 Rec, 40 Yds, 1 TD
Marcus Jones	NE	1 INT (26-yd Pick-Six)

The Post-Game Pulse

Patriots Coach Mike Vrabel: > “We didn’t care about style points today. We cared about the result. Our defense played with an edge that reminded people what January football in Foxborough is supposed to look like.”

Texans Coach DeMeco Ryans: > “It’s tough to win when you turn the ball over five times. C.J. is a competitor, and he’ll learn from this, but New England took advantage of every mistake we made.”

What’s Next: The AFC Championship

The Patriots (15-3) now travel to Denver to face the (1) Broncos on Sunday, January 25. New England is currently 8-0 on the road this season, setting up a high-stakes clash between the AFC’s two most dominant teams.¹⁰