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Patriots Maul Texans, Advance to AFC Championship!
19 Jan
Summary
- Patriots defeated Texans 28-16 in a game with eight combined turnovers.
- Drake Maye threw three touchdown passes to lead New England's offense.
- The Patriots defense forced four interceptions, including a pick-six.
The New England Patriots have secured their place in the AFC Championship Game following a hard-fought 28-16 victory against the Houston Texans on Sunday. This playoff contest was defined by offensive struggles and defensive prowess, with a combined total of eight turnovers unsettling both teams.
Quarterback Drake Maye emerged as the standout player for New England, successfully guiding the offense with three touchdown passes against Houston's formidable defense. Key scoring plays included a remarkable one-handed touchdown reception by Kayshon Boutte early in the fourth quarter, alongside scores from Stefon Diggs and Demario Douglas.
The Patriots' defensive unit, under the guidance of Coach Mike Vrabel, relentlessly pressured Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud, forcing him into four interceptions. Marcus Jones contributed a pivotal pick-six in the second quarter, while Carlton Davis and Craig Woodson also recorded interceptions. A forced fumble by Christian Gonzalez in the third quarter further stifled Houston's comeback efforts. The Patriots are now set to face the Denver Broncos on January 25th, marking their first AFC title game appearance since 2018.
