{"id":422046,"date":"2026-01-18T22:32:09","date_gmt":"2026-01-18T22:32:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/422046\/"},"modified":"2026-01-18T22:32:09","modified_gmt":"2026-01-18T22:32:09","slug":"texans-vs-patriots-score-live-updates-drake-maye-looks-to-keep-season-alive-in-divisional-round-against-suffocating-houston-defense","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/422046\/","title":{"rendered":"Texans vs. Patriots score, live updates: Drake Maye looks to keep season alive in divisional round against suffocating Houston defense"},"content":{"rendered":"

Houston and New England set off the early afternoon portion of the two divisional Sunday<\/a> matchups. The Texans are playing on a short week, having eliminated the Steelers on Monday night, 30-7. New England is coming off a dominant 16-3 victory over the Chargers last week and the first playoff win of the Mike Vrabel Patriots era. These franchises have met twice before in the postseason<\/a>, also in the divisional round, and the Patriots won both.<\/p>\n

That saying about defense traveling was true for the Texans in the wild-card round because it carried Houston. Quarterback C.J. Stroud didn\u2019t have one of his better outings against Pittsburgh<\/a>, putting the ball on the ground five times and losing two. He was also picked off once and sacked three times. Still, the offense was bailed out by the defense and rookie running back Woody Marks, rushing for 112 yards and a touchdown. If Stroud can\u2019t get it under control (and he\u2019ll have to do it without star wideout Nico Collins), Houston could be in for a third consecutive divisional-round exit.<\/p>\n

Advertisement<\/p>\n

The Patriots are back in the postseason for the first time since 2021 and already have their first playoff win since the 2018-19 season. New England\u2019s defense had a strong showing in the wild-card win over the Chargers<\/a>, brutalizing Justin Herbert, sacking him six times and holding him to 159 passing yards. Offensively, the Pats will need to clean up a bit against a Texans defense that gets to the quarterback often.<\/p>\n

Texans-Patriots start time: 3 p.m. ET
Location: Gillette Stadium | Foxborough, Mass.
TV channel, live stream: ESPN, ABC, NFL+<\/p>\n

Follow along with Yahoo Sports for live updates, highlights and more as the Houston Texans and New England Patriots face off in the divisional round.<\/p>\n

Live41 updatesSun, January 18, 2026 at 12:02 PM PST<\/p>\n

Ian Casselberry<\/p>\n

\"IanSun, January 18, 2026 at 2:30 PM PST<\/p>\n

Ian Casselberry<\/p>\n

\"IanSun, January 18, 2026 at 2:29 PM PST<\/p>\n

Ian Casselberry<\/p>\n

Carlton Davis III has two interceptions, but was flagged for the second time in this game for pass interference on a third-and-7 throw to Jayden Higgins.<\/p>\n

The 21-yard penalty give Houston the ball at the New England 35-yard line.<\/p>\n

\"IanSun, January 18, 2026 at 2:24 PM PST<\/p>\n

Ian Casselberry<\/p>\n

The Patriots couldn\u2019t get a first down after recovering Woody Marks\u2019 fumble. Bryce Baringer punts 44 yards from his own 15-yard line and the Texans take over at their 41-yard line.<\/p>\n

\"IanSun, January 18, 2026 at 2:20 PM PST<\/p>\n

Ian Casselberry<\/p>\n

The Texans drove into the red zone on four plays following Drake Maye\u2019s fumble on a strip-sack by Will Anderson.<\/p>\n

But on second-and-8 from the New England 17, Christian Gonzalez forces a fumble from Woody Marks and Craig Woodson recovers.<\/p>\n

The Patriots take over at their 12-yard line.<\/p>\n

\"IanSun, January 18, 2026 at 2:15 PM PST<\/p>\n

Ian Casselberry<\/p>\n

C.J. Stroud will be criticized for his four interceptions, but Drake Maye has fumbled four times. This one was recovered by the Texans\u2019 Azeez Al-Shaair after Will Anderson sacked Maye.<\/p>\n

Houston takes over at the New England 33-yard line after the turnover.<\/p>\n

\"IanSun, January 18, 2026 at 2:12 PM PST<\/p>\n

Ian Casselberry<\/p>\n

The Texans drove all the way to the Patriots\u2019 7-yard line, but C.J. Stroud missed a pass to Christian Kirk on third-and-2 that was nearly intercepted.<\/p>\n

Houston has to settle for a field goal and Ka\u2019imi Fairbairn hits a 25-yarder.<\/p>\n

\"IanSun, January 18, 2026 at 2:05 PM PST<\/p>\n

Ian Casselberry<\/p>\n

Following a 23-yard completion to Xavier Hutchinson, C.J. Stroud looks his way again for a 5-yard gain.<\/p>\n

New England\u2019s Christian Gonzalez appeared to force a fumble, but replay review determined Hutchinson was down by contact before the ball came loose.<\/p>\n

\"IanSun, January 18, 2026 at 2:00 PM PST<\/p>\n

Ian Casselberry<\/p>\n

Houston will get the ball to begin the second half after winning the opening coin toss and deferring.<\/p>\n

\"IanSun, January 18, 2026 at 1:52 PM PST<\/p>\n

Ian Casselberry<\/p>\n

Texans – 132 yards total offense
C.J. Stroud: 10-of-26, 124 yards, 1 TD, 4 INT
Woody Marks: 9 rushes, 3 yards
Dalton Schultz: 2 receptions, 47 yards<\/p>\n

Patriots – 134 yards total offense
Drake Maye: 10-of-19, 119 yards, 2 TD, 1 INT (3 fumbles, 1 lost)
Rhamondre Stevenson: 3 carries, 25 yards
Kayshon Boutte: 2 catches, 43 yards
DeMario Douglas: 2 catches, 36 yards, 1 TD
Stefon Diggs: 3 catches, 26 yards, 1 TD<\/p>\n

Carlton Davis III: 2 INT<\/p>\n

\"IanSun, January 18, 2026 at 1:47 PM PST<\/p>\n

Ian Casselberry<\/p>\n

Drake Maye\u2019s Hail Mary pass from the Houston 46-yard line with two seconds remaining is intercepted in the end zone by Ja\u2019Marcus Ingram. That ends the first half.<\/p>\n

\"IanSun, January 18, 2026 at 1:44 PM PST<\/p>\n

Ian Casselberry<\/p>\n

Drake Maye fumbles for the third time with Will Anderson smacking the ball out of his hand. Will Campbell recovers again and the Patriots face a second-and-19 with 13 seconds left in the first half.<\/p>\n

\"IanSun, January 18, 2026 at 1:41 PM PST<\/p>\n

Ian Casselberry<\/p>\n

In the closing two minutes of the first half, both the Patriots and Texans trade three-and-outs. Houston\u2019s drive was stalled on third-and-10 by an illegal formation call on Aireontae Ersery.<\/p>\n

New England will get one last chance to add to its 21-10 lead with 36 seconds remaining before halftime.<\/p>\n

\"IanSun, January 18, 2026 at 1:35 PM PST<\/p>\n

Ian Casselberry<\/p>\n

Carlton Davis III shakes off that pass interference call to pick off C.J. Stroud for the second time today.<\/p>\n

Stroud has thrown four interceptions in the first half.<\/p>\n

The Patriots take over at their 48-yard line with 1:54left before halftime.<\/p>\n

\"IanSun, January 18, 2026 at 1:32 PM PST<\/p>\n

Ian Casselberry<\/p>\n

The Texans get the big gain they needed with a pass interference penalty on Carlton Davis III. Davis wrapped his right arm around Christian Kirk as he ran by.<\/p>\n

The 20-yard penalty gives Houston a first down at its 39-yard line.<\/p>\n

\"IanSun, January 18, 2026 at 1:26 PM PST<\/p>\n

Ian Casselberry<\/p>\n

On first-and-goal from the 7-yard line following an 18-yard grab by Kayshon Boutte, Drake Maye finds Stefon Diggs in the end zone for a touchdown.<\/p>\n

The Patriots take a 21-10 lead with 3:12 remaining in the first half.<\/p>\n

\"IanSun, January 18, 2026 at 1:24 PM PST<\/p>\n

Ian Casselberry<\/p>\n

Kayshon Boutte has caught two consecutive passes from Drake Maye for a combined 43 yards, moving the Patriots down the field.<\/p>\n

\"IanSun, January 18, 2026 at 1:21 PM PST<\/p>\n

Ian Casselberry<\/p>\n

Dalton Schultz is officially out for the Texans with a calf injury. Running back Woody Marks is questionable to return with a shoulder injury. Offensive lineman Tytus Howard is also out.<\/p>\n

On the Patriots side, running back Rhamondre Stevenson is questionable to return with an eye injury. Safety Craig Woodson is also being evaluated for a head injury.<\/p>\n

\"IanSun, January 18, 2026 at 1:17 PM PST<\/p>\n

Ian Casselberry<\/p>\n

The Texans defense responds after the C.J. Stroud turnover. Will Anderson sacks Drake Maye on second-and-5 for an 8-yard loss.<\/p>\n

Maye followed that with a 5-yard pass to Hunter Henry on third-and-13, but the Patriots had to punt. Following a 37-yard kick, Houston takes over at its 9-yard line.<\/p>\n

\"IanSun, January 18, 2026 at 1:13 PM PST<\/p>\n

Ian Casselberry<\/p>\n

Another turnover puts more pressure on the Texans\u2019 defense.<\/p>\n

On second-and-11 from their 36, C.J. Stroud looks over the middle for Xavier Hutchinson. But the receiver lets the ball carom off its hands and Craig Woodson intercepts the ricochet.<\/p>\n

The Patriots take over at the Houston 48-yard line.<\/p>\n

\"IanSun, January 18, 2026 at 1:06 PM PST<\/p>\n

Ian Casselberry<\/p>\n

After the Texans force a punt, Marcus Jones picks off C.J. Stroud and returns the interception 26 yards for a Patriots touchdown.<\/p>\n

Bad decision by Stroud to float that ball in the air upon getting hit by Cory Durden.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Houston and New England set off the early afternoon portion of the two divisional Sunday matchups. The Texans…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":422047,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[559],"tags":[64,63,17470,216193,5145,1255,24606,5384,593,28652,5348,5132,85,136500,222086,45132,179864,20796],"class_list":{"0":"post-422046","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-nfl","8":"tag-au","9":"tag-australia","10":"tag-chargers","11":"tag-divisional-round","12":"tag-houston","13":"tag-houston-texans","14":"tag-justin-herbert","15":"tag-new-england","16":"tag-nfl","17":"tag-nico-collins","18":"tag-patriots","19":"tag-pittsburgh","20":"tag-sports","21":"tag-stroud","22":"tag-texans-defense","23":"tag-the-patriots","24":"tag-the-texans","25":"tag-woody-marks"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/422046","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=422046"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/422046\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/422047"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=422046"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=422046"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=422046"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}