The New England Patriots leaned into the storm and turned January football into their playground again. In a wintry mix of snow and rain at Gillette Stadium, they beat the Houston Texans 28-16 to move on to the AFC Championship Game. It is New England’s 16th trip to the league’s final four and their first since 2018 — a strong sign that this new era under head coach Mike Vrabel carries real weight.

It was not clean. It was not pretty. But it was clinical in the moments that mattered. The Patriots forced five turnovers, including four interceptions from C.J. Stroud, and slammed the door with two late fourth-down stops to end Houston’s dream season.

AFC Divisional Playoff in a Wintry Mix

This game was shaped by the weather. The ball was slick. The turf was heavy. Both offenses had to grind every yard. In these conditions, mistakes decide outcomes, and New England won the turnover battle 5-3.

Cornerback Marcus Jones delivered the play that broke Houston’s rhythm — a pick-six off Stroud that sent the home crowd into a frenzy. From there, the Patriots’ defense hunted the ball and shortened the field for Drake Maye and the offense.

How the Patriots Took Control

New England controlled the first half and absorbed Houston’s push in the third quarter. By quarter, the scoring read:

• Texans: 3-7-6-0
• Patriots: 7-14-0-7

The Patriots’ 14-point second quarter proved the hinge. On a gutsy call, Vrabel kept the offense on the field for a 4th-and-1, and Maye floated a perfect 28-yard touchdown to Demario Douglas. Later, Maye fired a tight 7-yard strike to Stefon Diggs in the red zone. Kayshon Boutte added the night’s highlight grab — a one-handed touchdown that showed off his strong hands and body control.

“This defense turned C.J. Stroud into a rookie again.”

Drake Maye’s Balance: 3 TDs and Costly Ball Security

Rookie quarterback Drake Maye’s line tells the story of a high-wire act: 16-of-27 for 179 yards, three touchdowns, one interception — and four fumbles, two of them lost. The throws in the red zone were sharp and brave. The 4th-and-1 touchdown to Douglas was a statement of trust and timing.

But the fumbles kept the door open. In January, those can be season-enders. New England survived them, in part because its defense and special teams reset the field and in part because Maye kept bouncing back with answers. That resilience matters as the stage gets bigger.

“Fourth-and-1 to Douglas was the gutsiest call of the season.”

C.J. Stroud’s Toughest Night of the Year

Stroud has been one of the NFL’s calmest young quarterbacks. In Foxborough, the storm and the Patriots’ disguise-heavy looks rattled him. He threw four interceptions, including the Jones pick-six, and the Texans also lost a fumble to finish with five giveaways.

After the game, Stroud did not hide: “I feel like I let people down. I’m not happy with that. It hurts. I’m not used to it.” That honesty fits a Texans team that went 12-5 and grew up fast this season. Saturday was a lesson: in the playoffs, against a defense smelling blood, each throw is a test.

Even so, Houston kept swinging. The Texans were turned away on a desperate 4th-and-18 and again on a late fourth-down try, closing the book on a season that pointed to a bright future.

Vrabel’s Culture Shows Up in January

In his first year in charge, Mike Vrabel has rebuilt the Patriots’ edge. New England has now won 15 of its last 16 games and an astounding nine straight Divisional Round contests. That kind of run is not luck; it is identity. It is tackling, gap control, and smart situational calls. It is trusting your defense and picking key spots to be aggressive on offense.

This return to the AFC Championship Game — the first for New England since 2018 — is the clearest sign yet that the post-dynasty reset has found its footing. The names are different. The formula, in many ways, is not.

“January Foxborough plus a takeaway wave — good night.”

Key Moments You’ll Remember

• Marcus Jones’ pick-six, the game’s biggest swing.
• Maye to Demario Douglas on 4th-and-1 for 28 yards — fearless in the snow.
• Stefon Diggs’ 7-yard touchdown, a veteran’s tidy route and finish.
• Kayshon Boutte’s one-handed snag — pure control in tight space.
• Patriots’ late fourth-down stops, including the 4th-and-18 stand.

Patriots vs. Broncos: AFC Championship Preview

Next up: the Denver Broncos on January 25. With Bo Nix injured, Jarrett Stidham is likely to start for Denver. That changes the scouting report, but not the stakes. Expect New England’s defense to again press for takeaways and shorten the field for Maye.

The coaching matchup and the altitude will be talking points all week, but the biggest key is simple: ball security. If the Patriots protect the ball better than they did against Houston, their balanced approach — defense, field position, and timely playmaking — travels.

The Bottom Line

In a game where the weather made every snap a test, the Patriots stayed truer to who they are. They forced mistakes, turned them into points, and trusted their quarterback to make the right throws at the right times. The Texans had a strong season at 12-5 and will learn from this night. The Patriots, meanwhile, are back on the doorstep of the Super Bowl.

Sometimes, January football is about shine. Sometimes, it is about grit. On this snowy, rainy evening in Foxborough, grit won.