By Kyle Hightower
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — Drake Maye threw three landing passes, Marcus Jones returned one among C.J. Stroud’s 4 interceptions for a rating and the New England Patriots defeated the Houston Texans 28-16 on Sunday to advance to the AFC championship sport for the primary time in seven years.
In Mike Vrabel’s first season as coach, the Patriots will make their sixteenth convention championship sport look and first since their run to their sixth Tremendous Bowl title below Invoice Belichick within the 2018 season. New England has gained its final 9 divisional spherical video games.
Maye completed 16 of 27 for 179 yards, however had an interception and fumbled 4 instances, dropping two in chilly situations during which snow and rain fell all through the sport. Certainly one of Maye’s fumbles arrange Houston’s first landing.
Carlton Davis III had two interceptions for New England. Craig Woodson added an interception and fumble restoration.
The eight mixed turnovers — Woody Marks additionally misplaced a fumble for Houston — had been essentially the most in a playoff sport since 2015 when the Cardinals and Panthers mixed for eight within the NFC championship sport.
The Texans have misplaced within the divisional spherical in three straight seasons below coach DeMeco Ryans. The franchise is now 0-7 all-time on this spherical.
Stroud completed 20 of 47 with a TD cross. All of his interceptions got here within the first half as he grew to become the primary participant with 5 or extra INTs and 5 or extra fumbles in a single postseason. Will Anderson compelled two fumbles for the Texans.
Main 21-16 within the fourth quarter, the Patriots stretched their result in 27-16 when Kayshon Boutte obtained behind Derek Stingley Jr. and pulled in a diving, one-hand catch within the nook of the tip zone for a landing.
The Texans had the ball with 5:48 to play, however punted on fourth-and-18 at their very own 21 with 4:18 remaining.
New England’s subsequent drive took the clock below two minutes. However the Texans turned it over on downs when Stroud’s fourth-down cross to Xavier Hutchinson was batted down by Robert Spillane.
