Patriots maintain off Texans in turnover-filled divisional recreation

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — It wasn’t a piece of soccer artwork, that is for positive.

In a turnover-filled recreation that matched the sloppy, snowy-weather forecast, the New England Patriots leaned on their protection and a few well timed huge performs on offense to document a 28-16 victory over the Houston Texans in an AFC divisional spherical playoff recreation Sunday.

The Patriots’ protection compelled 5 turnovers, intercepting Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud 4 occasions, and New England quarterback Drake Maye overcame three turnovers (two fumbles and one interception) to assist the No. 2 seed advance, throwing for 3 touchdowns within the win.

The Patriots will now hit the street to face the Denver Broncos on Sunday (3 p.m. ET, CBS) with a visit to the Tremendous Bowl on the road. They may face Denver backup quarterback Jarrett Stidham as he steps in for the injured Bo Nix. New England will look to carry that attacking type of play to Denver, which has historically been a home of horrors for the franchise, particularly within the postseason.

Listed below are crucial issues to know from Sunday for each groups:

New England Patriots

What to make of the QB efficiency: Maye’s ball safety was shaky, partially due to points along with his cross safety. He had 4 fumbles, which upped his season whole to 14 — simply a league excessive in entrance of Baker Mayfield (Buccaneers), Sam Darnold (Seahawks) and Cam Ward (Titans), who all have 11. Of these 14, Maye has misplaced six of them, which is tied with Darnold for the second most (solely Ward, with 7, has extra). Maye turned simply the second participant prior to now 15 years with three fumbles in a half of a playoff recreation, becoming a member of Stroud — who did it final week. However when Maye wanted to make a big-time throw, he delivered with pinpoint accuracy on a 32-yard landing strike to receiver Kayshon Boutte. He completed 16-of-27 for 179 yards and the three touchdowns and a choose.

Turning level: The Patriots trailed 10-7 early within the second quarter when Stroud threw an ill-advised pop-up cross whereas being pressured by defensive finish/exterior linebacker Okay’Lavon Chaisson, with cornerback Marcus Jones corralling it after which racing 26 yards for a landing. The Patriots went up 14-10 and by no means trailed once more.

Development to observe: The Patriots restricted the Texans to eight speeding yards on 12 carries within the first half, as they owned the road of scrimmage. Making the Texans’ one-dimensional contributed to Stroud’s errors within the passing recreation. That formulation could possibly be important towards the Broncos and Stidham, who’s being thrust into the highlight.

Stat to know: Receiver Stefon Diggs’ 7-yard landing catch within the second quarter was his forty ninth profession receiving landing on a ball thrown to the tip zone, which is the fourth most since he entered the NFL as a fifth-round choose by the Minnesota Vikings in 2015. Solely Mike Evans (74), Davante Adams (73) and DeAndre Hopkins (54) have extra.

Most stunning efficiency: Cornerback Carlton Davis III’s huge day. He had two first-half interceptions, and he expertly stayed in bounds alongside the sideline on each of them. Davis entered Sunday’s recreation having performed 90.9% of the defensive snaps and in search of his first interception of the season. Davis, a second-round choose in 2018 by the Buccaneers, entered the sport with 11 profession interceptions over eight seasons. — Mike Reiss

Houston Texans

Is it 2024, 2025 or 2026? Both means, the Texans, once more, weren’t able to make historical past.

Houston was 0-6 within the divisional spherical coming into its matchup towards the Patriots, however this appeared just like the season it may attain the evasive convention championship.

The Texans have been on a 10-game profitable streak and had simply thumped the Pittsburgh Steelers in final week’s wild-card spherical. Houston’s defensive unit, one of many league’s finest, needed to play in snowy, frigid area situations that would have favored a extra bodily type of protection.

However towards the Patriots, all the pieces that would go mistaken, went mistaken. Quarterback C.J. Stroud — enjoying with out his prime two targets with receiver Nico Collins dominated out Friday after struggling a concussion final week within the wild-card recreation and tight finish Dalton Schultz exiting within the second quarter with a calf damage — had arguably his worst recreation of his three-year profession, throwing 4 interceptions within the first half. He completed 20-of-47 for 212 yards and a QB ranking of 28.

Considered one of his interceptions was returned for a landing, proving to be a important mistake. Operating again Woody Marks fumbled on a key third-quarter drive when Houston trailed 21-16 after the protection had simply compelled Maye right into a fumble.

The protection, which allowed 17.4 factors per recreation within the common season, gave up three touchdowns, probably the most the beginning unit has allowed in virtually a month. The Texans compelled three turnovers, however they failed to satisfy the usual they’ve set by shutting down opposing offenses.

Yr 3 of coach DeMeco Ryans ended the identical means Yr 1 and a pair of did: on the street in chilly situations within the divisional spherical.

Turning level: With 12 minutes left, Boutte’s one-handed landing reception with All-Professional cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. in protection was a back-breaker, placing the Patriots up 28-16.

Stat to know: Stroud’s 4 interceptions within the first half tied for probably the most in a playoff half since at the least 2000. One of many interceptions was returned for a landing, which marked the primary time Stroud has thrown a pick-six since being drafted No. 2 in 2023.

Development to observe: Stroud has seven turnovers prior to now two playoffs video games, his most in a two-game span. Contemplating solely two fumbles have been misplaced out of his 5 in Houston’s wild-card win and there have been a number of dropped interceptions Sunday, solely seven sounds lucky.

Finest quote from the locker room: Houston’s Will Anderson Jr. stated he instructed Stroud after the loss: “I nonetheless assume you are the perfect quarterback within the league palms down.” — D.J. Bien-Aime