The New England Patriots are putting on a defensive clinic - and C.J. Stroud is learning the hard way what playoff pressure can do to a young quarterback. At halftime, the Patriots hold a 21-10 lead over the Houston Texans, thanks to a smothering defense, a pair of touchdown passes from rookie Drake Maye, and a first half Stroud will want to forget.
Let’s start with the obvious: Stroud has thrown four interceptions in just two quarters - tying the record for most in a single half of any postseason game over the last 35 years. One of those picks was a backbreaker: a pick-six to Marcus Jones that flipped the momentum and sent Gillette Stadium into a frenzy. It’s been a stunning collapse from a quarterback who’s been poised all season, but the Patriots’ defense has clearly done its homework.
Despite the turnovers, Houston’s defense has done everything it can to keep the game within reach. They’ve forced a fumble, held up in short fields, and kept Maye and the Patriots from completely running away with it. But there’s only so much a defense can do when the offense keeps handing the ball back.
The Patriots opened the scoring with a gutsy call. After both teams traded early punts, New England drove 66 yards in six plays, capping it off with Maye hitting DeMario Douglas on a fourth-and-1. Maye dropped a dime, and Douglas did the rest, sprinting untouched for a 28-yard touchdown.
Stroud, meanwhile, couldn’t find his rhythm early. He missed on his first three throws before finally connecting with Dalton Schultz for a 42-yard gain - a flash of hope that ultimately led to a field goal. But things unraveled quickly.
Late in the first quarter, Stroud tossed his first interception - a sideline grab by Carlton Davis that required full extension and perfect timing. But just two plays later, Maye lost the ball after a strip by Tommy Togiai, and Azeez Al-Shaair scooped it up to set up Houston in prime position. Stroud capitalized with a touchdown strike to Christian Kirk, briefly giving the Texans a 10-7 lead.
That lead didn’t last long.
On the next possession, Stroud threw a costly pick-six to Marcus Jones, and then came another interception - this time off the hands of Xavier Hutchinson and into the arms of Craig Woodson. The Patriots didn’t waste the opportunity. Maye found Kayshon Boutte twice to move the chains, then hit Stefon Diggs for a touchdown that extended the lead to 21-10.
Stroud’s fourth interception - another to Davis - was perhaps the worst of the bunch. A late, inside throw on an outside route is a recipe for disaster in the NFL, and Davis made him pay.
Still, credit to the Texans’ defense. They held strong once again, keeping the deficit at 11 and giving Houston a faint pulse heading into the second half.
Now the question looms: Do the Texans stick with Stroud, or turn to Davis Mills in hopes of a spark? Stroud’s talent is undeniable, but playoff football is a different beast - and right now, the Patriots are making him look like a rookie all over again.