Houston and New England set off the early afternoon portion of the two divisional Sunday 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, also in the divisional round, and the Patriots won both.
That saying about defense traveling was true for the Texans in the wild-card round because it carried Houston. Quarterback C.J. Stroud didn’t have one of his better outings against Pittsburgh, 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’t get it under control (and he’ll have to do it without star wideout Nico Collins), Houston could be in for a third consecutive divisional-round exit.
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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’s defense had a strong showing in the wild-card win over the Chargers, 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.
Texans-Patriots start time: 3 p.m. ET
Location: Gillette Stadium | Foxborough, Mass.
TV channel, live stream: ESPN, ABC, NFL+
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.
Live32 updatesSun, January 18, 2026 at 12:02 PM PST
Ian Casselberry
Sun, January 18, 2026 at 1:47 PM PST
Ian Casselberry
Drake Maye’s Hail Mary pass from the Houston 46-yard line with two seconds remaining is intercepted in the end zone by Ja’Marcus Ingram. That ends the first half.
Sun, January 18, 2026 at 1:44 PM PST
Ian Casselberry
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.
Sun, January 18, 2026 at 1:41 PM PST
Ian Casselberry
In the closing two minutes of the first half, both the Patriots and Texans trade three-and-outs. Houston’s drive was stalled on third-and-10 by an illegal formation call on Aireontae Ersery.
New England will get one last chance to add to its 21-10 lead with 36 seconds remaining before halftime.
Sun, January 18, 2026 at 1:35 PM PST
Ian Casselberry
Carlton Davis III shakes off that pass interference call to pick off C.J. Stroud for the second time today.
Stroud has thrown four interceptions in the first half.
The Patriots take over at their 48-yard line with 1:54left before halftime.
Sun, January 18, 2026 at 1:32 PM PST
Ian Casselberry
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.
The 20-yard penalty gives Houston a first down at its 39-yard line.
Sun, January 18, 2026 at 1:26 PM PST
Ian Casselberry
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.
The Patriots take a 21-10 lead with 3:12 remaining in the first half.
Sun, January 18, 2026 at 1:24 PM PST
Ian Casselberry
Kayshon Boutte has caught two consecutive passes from Drake Maye for a combined 43 yards, moving the Patriots down the field.
Sun, January 18, 2026 at 1:21 PM PST
Ian Casselberry
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.
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.
Sun, January 18, 2026 at 1:17 PM PST
Ian Casselberry
The Texans defense responds after the C.J. Stroud turnover. Will Anderson sacks Drake Maye on second-and-5 for an 8-yard loss.
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.
Sun, January 18, 2026 at 1:13 PM PST
Ian Casselberry
Another turnover puts more pressure on the Texans’ defense.
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.
The Patriots take over at the Houston 48-yard line.
Sun, January 18, 2026 at 1:06 PM PST
Ian Casselberry
After the Texans force a punt, Marcus Jones picks off C.J. Stroud and returns the interception 26 yards for a Patriots touchdown.
Bad decision by Stroud to float that ball in the air upon getting hit by Cory Durden.
Sun, January 18, 2026 at 1:04 PM PST
Ian Casselberry
Patriots running back TreVeyon Henderson was slow to get up after a 1-yard run. He was taken to the sideline and trainers are looking at his right collarbone area.
Sun, January 18, 2026 at 12:52 PM PST
Ian Casselberry
The Texans have the lead! C.J. Stroud hits Christian Kirk on an out route at the front of the end zone for a 10-yard touchdown.
Sun, January 18, 2026 at 12:49 PM PST
Ian Casselberry
Following Drake Maye’s fumble, the Texans get a 5-yard reception and 4-yard rush. They will have a third-and-1 from the Patriots’ 18-yard line as the first quarter expires.
Sun, January 18, 2026 at 12:46 PM PST
Ian Casselberry
The cold, snowy conditions in Foxborough probably aren’t helping, but the Texans’ defense is making it difficult for Drake Maye to hang onto the ball.
Tommy Togiai punches the ball out as Maye is tackled. He also recovers the fumble and Houston takes over at the Patriots’ 27-yard line.
Sun, January 18, 2026 at 12:42 PM PST
Ian Casselberry
C.J. Stroud commits the game’s first turnover.
On first-and-10 from the Patriots’ 36, Stroud looks deep for Christian Kirk on a wheel route, but overthrows him. Carlton Davis III picks off the overthrow and gets his right knee in bounds to complete the interception.
New England takes over at its 18-yard line.
Sun, January 18, 2026 at 12:40 PM PST
Ian Casselberry
C.J. Stroud was already missing receiver Nico Collins going into today’s game. He may now be without tight end Dalton Schultz, who suffered a calf injury on the Texans’ last possession.
He is questionable to return, according to ESPN’s Laura Rutledge.
Sun, January 18, 2026 at 12:38 PM PST
Ian Casselberry
Texans edge rusher Danielle Hunter forced a fumble by Drake Maye on a sack. Will Campbell recovered the fumble for New England, but the play resulted in a 19-yard loss for the Patriots.
With a fourth-and-29 from their own 3-yard line, New England has to punt. Bryce Baringer kicks it 55 yards and Jaylin Noel’s 11-yard return takes Houston to Patriots’ 47-yard line.
Sun, January 18, 2026 at 12:32 PM PST
Ian Casselberry
After the Texans’ touchdown is taken away by a penalty, C.J. Stroud misses Woody Marks with a third-and-goal pass.
Houston settles for a field goal with Ka’imi Fairbairn kicking a 25-yarder.
Sun, January 18, 2026 at 12:30 PM PST
Ian Casselberry
Houston appeared to score a touchdown on third-and-goal from the 1-yard line with Woody Marks rushing up the middle for the score.
However, the Texans are called for an illegal shift on the play with two players moving in motion (Dalton Schultz in motion and Tommy Togiai not being set) and that negates the touchdown.