Patriots Shock Texans, Advance to AFC Championship

Drake Maye leads New England to 28-16 victory, setting up showdown with Broncos

Apr. 11, 2026 at 7:58pm

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a fractured, multi-perspective view of a football game, with players and the field reduced to abstract shapes and planes of color, conveying a sense of motion and energy.The Patriots' playoff triumph over the Texans showcases their ability to thrive in high-pressure situations, setting up an intriguing AFC Championship showdown.Denver Today

In a stunning playoff upset, the New England Patriots defeated the Houston Texans 28-16 on January 18, 2026, clinching a spot in the AFC Championship game. Led by quarterback Drake Maye, the Patriots capitalized on a series of Texans turnovers, including an interception return for a touchdown by Marcus Jones. The win marks New England's first conference championship appearance in seven years, setting up a high-stakes matchup with the Denver Broncos next Sunday.

Why it matters

The Patriots' victory over the Texans showcases their resilience and ability to thrive in adverse conditions, overcoming a high-turnover game to advance deep into the playoffs. This win reinforces New England's status as a perennial contender, as they seek their 16th conference championship appearance and a chance to return to the Super Bowl for the first time since 2018.

The details

The Patriots jumped out to an early lead, with Maye throwing three touchdown passes despite facing challenges like an interception and four fumbles, two of which were lost. The Texans' quarterback C.J. Stroud struggled with turnovers, throwing five interceptions and fumbling five times. New England's defense was a standout, with Carlton Davis III recording two interceptions and Craig Woodson adding an interception and a fumble recovery. The game was marked by a combined eight turnovers, the most in a playoff game since 2015.

  • The game was played on January 18, 2026.
  • The Patriots will face the Denver Broncos in the AFC Championship game next Sunday.

The players

Drake Maye

The Patriots' quarterback, who threw three touchdown passes in the win.

Marcus Jones

The Patriots' defensive back, who returned an interception for a touchdown.

C.J. Stroud

The Texans' quarterback, who struggled with turnovers, throwing five interceptions and fumbling five times.

Mike Vrabel

The Patriots' head coach, who is a former Patriots linebacker and has three Super Bowl wins with the team.

DeMeco Ryans

The Texans' head coach, who has led the team to three consecutive divisional round losses.

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What they’re saying

“We must continue to play with that same level of grit and determination if we want to reach the Super Bowl.”

— Mike Vrabel, Patriots Head Coach

“It's tough to end our season this way, but we'll learn from this experience and come back stronger next year.”

— C.J. Stroud, Texans Quarterback

What’s next

The Patriots will face the Denver Broncos in the AFC Championship game next Sunday, with the winner earning a spot in the Super Bowl.

The takeaway

The Patriots' victory over the Texans demonstrates their ability to thrive in high-pressure playoff situations, capitalizing on turnovers and showcasing their defensive prowess. This win sets up a highly anticipated matchup with the Broncos, as New England seeks to return to the Super Bowl for the first time in nearly a decade.