The New England Patriots are heading back to familiar territory - the AFC Championship Game - after a commanding 28-16 win over the Houston Texans in the Divisional Round. And while rookie quarterback Drake Maye has been the headline-grabber all season long, this one was all about the defense.
Let’s talk about what this Patriots defense just did: five forced turnovers, four of them interceptions off C.J. Stroud - a quarterback who’s looked poised and polished beyond his years for most of the season.
But on this stage, under the Foxborough lights, the Patriots’ defense turned up the heat and rattled one of the league’s rising stars. It was a classic New England postseason performance - disciplined, opportunistic, and relentless.
Maye, for his part, didn’t shy away from the moment. The rookie finished with 179 passing yards, three touchdowns, and one interception.
He also chipped in 10 yards on the ground across four carries - not eye-popping numbers, but efficient and composed, especially considering the stakes. When the Patriots needed him to make plays, he delivered.
This win sends New England to its first AFC Championship appearance since 2019 - a game that Patriots fans remember well, when they outlasted the Chiefs 37-31 in an overtime thriller. Now, they’ll travel to Denver to take on the Broncos with a trip to Super Bowl 60 on the line.
Next Up: Patriots vs. Broncos
The AFC Championship Game is set for Sunday, Jan. 25, at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado. Kickoff is scheduled for 3 p.m.
ET on CBS. Jim Nantz will be on the call with Tony Romo providing analysis, while Tracy Wolfson and Evan Washburn report from the sidelines.
For fans looking to stream the game, it’ll be available on Paramount+ and Fubo - both of which carry CBS, with Fubo currently offering a free trial for new users.
NFL Playoff Recap: How We Got Here
Here’s a quick look back at the road to Championship Sunday:
Wild Card Round:
- Rams edged the Panthers in Charlotte, 34-31
- Bears topped the Packers in a tight one, 31-27
- Bills survived the Jaguars in Jacksonville, 27-24
- 49ers got past the Eagles in Philly, 23-19
- Patriots shut down the Chargers at home, 16-3
- Texans rolled over the Steelers in Pittsburgh, 30-6
Divisional Round:
- Broncos outlasted the Bills in an overtime thriller, 33-30
- Seahawks dominated the 49ers in Seattle, 41-6
- Patriots took care of business against the Texans, 28-16
- Rams edged the Bears in overtime, 20-17
Championship Sunday:
- AFC: Patriots at Broncos, 3 p.m.
ET (CBS)
- NFC: Rams at Seahawks, 6:30 p.m.
ET (FOX)
Super Bowl 60 is set for Sunday, Feb. 8, at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California. Kickoff is at 6:30 p.m. ET on NBC.
For now, all eyes turn to Denver. The Patriots are one win away from returning to the Super Bowl - and if their defense keeps playing like this, they’re going to be a tough out for anyone.