The New England Patriots secured a hard-fought 28-16 victory over the Houston Texans in the AFC Divisional Round playoff game on Sunday, January 18, 2026, at snowy Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts. The win propelled the Patriots to their first AFC Championship appearance since 2018, setting up a road matchup against the Denver Broncos the following week.
The game was a gritty, turnover-marred battle that featured heavy snow and rain, making ball security a premium. New England quarterback Drake Maye threw for 179 yards and three touchdowns on 16-of-27 passing, but he also fumbled four times, losing two.
Despite those miscues, the Patriots’ defense rose to the occasion, forcing five turnovers from Houston, including four interceptions from quarterback C.J. Stroud and a fumble. Marcus Jones returned one of Stroud’s picks for a touchdown, proving pivotal in building New England’s lead.
Houston entered the contest riding a 10-game winning streak and boasting one of the NFL’s elite defenses, ranked among the league leaders in points and yards allowed. Many analysts favored the Texans to advance, but New England’s defense disrupted Stroud repeatedly, pressuring him on nearly half his dropbacks and limiting Houston’s explosive plays. The Texans managed only 241 total yards, with Stroud completing 20-of-47 passes for 212 yards, one touchdown, and those costly four picks.
The Patriots’ offense leaned on timely big plays. Maye connected with wide receiver Kayshon Boutte for a spectacular one-handed 32-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter, extending the lead to 28-16 and effectively sealing the game. Boutte also had an earlier 18-yard score, showcasing his ability to make contested catches in the elements. Stefon Diggs added a 7-yard touchdown grab, hauling in a pass between two defenders, while DeMario Douglas scored on a 28-yard fourth-down touchdown early in the game.
On the ground, New England controlled the clock in the second half, chewing up valuable time with sustained drives. The defense held firm late, batting down a fourth-down pass from Stroud to Xavier Hutchinson to end Houston’s final threat.
Post-game, Houston Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans stood at the podium visibly emotional, his voice trembling as tears welled in his eyes. “Since I became a head coach,” Ryans said, pausing to compose himself, “I’ve never had to face a player this outstanding and this far superior to our entire roster.” He explained that his team had prepared exhaustively, deploying every scheme, adjustment, and tactic available. “We threw everything we had at him. We stacked the box, we spied, we blitzed—nothing worked. He just kept making plays.”
The room grew quiet as reporters leaned in. Everyone assumed Ryans was referring to Maye, the second-year quarterback who had delivered in the clutch despite his turnovers. But Ryans shook his head. “And the most shocking part? The guy I’m talking about… it wasn’t Drake Maye.”
A ripple of surprise spread through the media contingent. Ryans took a breath before dropping the name that stunned the room.
“It was their rookie wide receiver, Kayshon Boutte.”
The revelation hit hard. Boutte, who had shown flashes in previous games, erupted against Houston. His one-handed touchdown catch in the fourth quarter was a highlight-reel play that left defenders grasping at air. He finished with multiple catches for big gains, including a pair of scores that swung momentum decisively toward New England. Boutte’s ability to win contested balls in the snow and rain made him nearly uncoverable, turning short opportunities into game-changing explosions.
“I’ve been in this league a long time—as a player, as a coordinator, now as a head coach,” Ryans continued, wiping his eyes. “I’ve seen great receivers. I’ve coached against the best. But what I saw today from Kayshon Boutte… I’ve never seen anything like it. He made our secondary look average. He made us look helpless.”
Ryans praised his own players for battling through adversity but admitted the Texans’ defense, despite its reputation, had no answer for Boutte’s explosiveness. “We had a plan for Maye, for their run game, for everything. But Boutte just beat us in ways we didn’t anticipate. He changed the game.”
Inside the Texans’ locker room, the mood was subdued. Players sat quietly, some staring at the floor, others nursing bruises from the physical contest. Defensive coordinator Matt Burke, whose unit had been dominant all season, looked shell-shocked. “We practiced for their passing attack, but Boutte… he just elevated everything. We didn’t have an answer.”
For the Patriots, the victory was a testament to resilience. Despite fumbling opportunities that could have derailed them, they capitalized on Houston’s mistakes and leaned on their defense to force the issue. Head coach Mike Vrabel praised the team’s composure in the harsh weather. “Our guys fought through it all. The defense stepped up huge, and when we needed plays, we got them.”
The game also highlighted the emergence of young talent on both sides. While Stroud’s interceptions proved costly for Houston, including a pick-six that shifted momentum, the Patriots’ secondary—led by Carlton Davis III with two interceptions—played lockdown coverage. New England’s ability to overcome their own errors underscored the growth under Vrabel’s leadership.
As the Patriots celebrated advancing, the focus shifted to the upcoming AFC Championship against Denver. But the lasting image from this game was Ryans’ emotional admission and the unexpected star who delivered it: Kayshon Boutte, the player who turned a divisional playoff into his personal showcase.
