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In the 21st century, the AFC and the NFL have run through Foxborough, New England. From the ‘Snow Bowl’ that ignited a dynasty to the frozen battles that turned a sixth-round pick into a global icon, Gillette Stadium has always served as the NFL\u2019s ultimate proving ground. Now, it hosts a clash of two AFC powerhouses in the Houston Texans<\/a> and New England Patriots<\/a>, each looking to take one step closer to immortality at Super Bowl LX.<\/p>\n The home team Patriots, shadowed by six championship banners and the weight of a legendary past, have a real shot at bringing a seventh trophy to New England. Behind Drake Maye \u2014 the sophomore sensation who has resurrected the ‘Patriots Way’ with a record-breaking, MVP-caliber campaign \u2014 New England has bullied its way into the final eight, capturing its first AFC East title of the post-Tom Brady era. But to truly claim his place among the giants who came before him, Maye must survive the most brutal test in football: the Houston Texans and the NFL’s No. 1 ranked defense.<\/p>\n Since hitting rock bottom in November \u2014 falling to 3-5 while quarterback C.J. Stroud was sidelined with a concussion \u2014 the Texans have been the hottest team in football. DeMeco Ryans\u2019 squad arrives on a white-hot 10-game winning streak, powered by a defensive unit that leads the league in nearly every meaningful category. In the Wild Card round, that defense didn’t just hold the line; it took over, scoring two touchdowns of its own while holding Aaron Rodgers and Mike Tomlin’s Steelers<\/a> to a meager six points in a dominant bludgeoning. Now, Houston travels to Foxborough looking to shatter the glass ceiling and advance to its first-ever AFC Championship Game.<\/p>\n The narrative comes full circle on Sunday. A year ago, Maye\u2019s first NFL start came against this very Houston unit \u2014 a day defined by rookie mistakes and a 20-point blowout. But the quarterback stepping onto the turf this time is no longer a prospect; he\u2019s a superstar, 4,500-yard passer leading a turnaround. Across from him, DeMeco Ryans has built an immovable object \u2014 a Texans front led by Will Anderson Jr. and Danielle Hunter that thrives on turning stars into cautionary tales.<\/p>\n The Sporting News is tracking live scores, updates, and highlights as the Patriots host the Texans in the Divisional Round. Follow along to see all the action from Foxboro.<\/p>\n STREAM:\u00a0Watch Patriots vs. Texans live with Fubo (free trial)<\/a><\/p>\n Patriots vs. Texans score<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n NFL PLAYOFFS HQ:\u00a0Live NFL scores<\/a>\u00a0|\u00a0Full NFL schedule<\/a>\u00a0|\u00a0Updated NFL bracket<\/a><\/p>\n Patriots vs. Texans highlights\u00a0from 2026 NFL divisional round playoff game<\/p>\n All times ET.<\/p>\n 12:39 p.m.:\u00a0The Houston Texans have also arrived ahead of the Divisional Round. Riding a 10-game win streak and the league’s No. 1 defense, many think Houston can be the last team standing.<\/p>\n Area 5\ufe0f\u20e31\ufe0f\u20e3 pic.twitter.com\/Hz0FRKBx64<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Houston Texans (@HoustonTexans) January 18, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n 12:36 p.m.:\u00a0Drake Maye has arrived at Gillette Stadium.<\/p>\n Divisional Round @DrakeMaye2<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/xsf0j3TUua<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 New England Patriots (@Patriots) January 18, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n Today, no story is bigger than the MVP candidate facing the No. 1 defense in the NFL<\/p>\n MORE 2026 NFL PLAYOFFS:<\/p>\n Where to watch Patriots vs. TexansPatriots vs. Texans start timeDate: Sunday, Jan. 18Time: 3\u00a0p.m. ET, noon PT<\/p>\n The Texans and Patriots will kick off the Sunday slate of the NFL Divisional Round as the first of two high-stakes matchups.<\/p>\n Kickoff will be at 3:00 p.m. ET from Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts, where snow is expected to play a major factor in this AFC clash.<\/p>\n What channel is Patriots vs. Texans on today?TV channel:\u00a0ESPNLive stream:\u00a0Fubo<\/a><\/p>\n The Texans and Patriots game will be broadcast nationally on ESPN and ABC. The “Monday Night Football” lead crew of Joe Buck (play-by-play) and Troy Aikman (color analyst) will be in the booth, with Lisa Salters and Laura Rutledge reporting from the sidelines.<\/p>\n Fans looking to stream the game can do so on Fubo, which offers a free trial to new subscribers, or via the ESPN+ app.<\/p>\n NFL playoff schedule 2026Wild-card roundSaturday, Jan. 10MatchupRams 34,\u00a0Panthers 31Bears 31,\u00a0Packers 27Sunday, Jan. 11MatchupBills 27,\u00a0Jaguars 2149ers 22,\u00a0Eagles 19Patriots 16,\u00a0Chargers 6Monday, Jan. 12MatchupTexans 30,\u00a0Steelers 6Divisional roundSaturday, Jan. 17MatchupTime (ET)TVBills vs. Broncos4:30 p.m.CBS49ers vs. Seahawks8:15 p.m.FoxSunday, Jan. 18MatchupTime (ET)TVTexans vs. Patriots3:00 p.m.ESPNRams vs. Bears6:30 p.m.NBCConference championshipsSunday, Jan. 25MatchupTime (ET)TVAFC championship game3:00 p.m.CBSNFC championship game6:30 p.m.FoxSuper Bowl LXSunday, Feb. 8MatchupTime (ET)TVTBD vs. TBD6:30 p.m.NBC<\/p>\n