Mike ReissJan 18, 2026, 10:11 PM ETCloseMike Reiss is an NFL reporter at ESPN and covers the New England Patriots. Reiss has covered the Patriots since 1997 and joined ESPN in 2009. In 2019, he was named Massachusetts Sportswriter of the Year by the National Sports Media Association.Follow on X
C.J. Stroud picked off 4 times in first half by Patriots (0:58)C.J. Stroud throws four interceptions in the first half for the Texans vs. the Patriots. (0:58)
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — The New England Patriots had respect for the No. 1-ranked Houston Texans defense entering Sunday’s divisional round playoff game. At the same time, New England believed its defense deserved a similar level of respect.
“They’re really good for a reason, but our guys are prideful men,” Patriots coach Mike Vrabel said after a 28-16 victory at snowy Gillette Stadium that was spearheaded by five forced turnovers. “They deserve the recognition that they’re going to get. They’re a top-five defense for a reason, as well.”
The swarming defensive performance, which tied the franchise postseason record with four interceptions, helped the Patriots advance to the AFC Championship Game next Sunday against the host Denver Broncos (3 p.m. ET, CBS).
It marks the Patriots’ 16th trip to the conference championship game and New England’s first since appearing in eight straight from 2011 to 2018 — when Bill Belichick was the coach and Tom Brady the quarterback. This season’s team, which has enjoyed one of the most surprising turnarounds in the NFL after back-to-back four-win seasons, is led by Vrabel and quarterback Drake Maye.
But Sunday against the Texans, with Maye sacked five times and losing two fumbles, the Patriots leaned mostly on their defense.
“Props to our defense, they played great,” said Maye, who finished 16-of-27 for 179 yards, with 3 touchdowns and 1 interception on an end-of-half Hail Mary. “It was tough. Battle of the elements. We knew they were going to be a good defense. Our defense helped us all night.”
In a reflection of how the Patriots’ defense felt overlooked in the matchup, safety Jaylinn Hawkins celebrated with Vrabel in the tunnel after the game as he asked the question, “Who’s the best defense?”
“Every week, we’re trying to come out and dominate, knowing that they do have a great defense, but in our minds, it was our defense versus their defense. See who could make more plays, create more turnovers, stop the run and get the ball back to our offense.”
One factor that led to the Patriots’ defensive success was making the Texans one-dimensional. In the first half, New England limited Houston to 8 rushing yards on 12 carries. That allowed the Patriots to pressure quarterback C.J. Stroud consistently, forcing him into four interceptions before halftime.
“They’re playing well together,” Vrabel said. “I feel like they’re complementing each other, and our turnovers are created by more than one guy. There’s some great efforts.”
Vrabel also credited playcaller Zak Kuhr, who has held the role this season, as coordinator Terrell Williams has been focusing on his recovery from prostate cancer.
Now, the unit looks to carry that momentum into the AFC Championship Game against the Broncos, who will start backup quarterback Jarrett Stidham in place of injured Bo Nix. New England opened as a 4.5-point road favorite, per DraftKings Sportsbook.
The Patriots have given up only one touchdown in two playoff games, making them the first team to give up one or fewer touchdowns in a two-game span within a postseason since the 2006 Indianapolis Colts, who went on to win the Super Bowl.
“We have a great defense,” Patriots defensive tackle Christian Barmore said. “When we play as a team, it’s hard to beat. We need to keep doing what we have to do, focus on Denver, and we’re all going to play as a team.”
The Texans finished with 48 yards on 22 carries (2.2-yard average), while Stroud was 20-of-47 passing for 212 yards with 1 touchdown and 4 picks. Cornerback Carlton Davis III had two interceptions, cornerback Marcus Jones had a 26-yard pick-six set up by a ferocious pass rush from outside linebacker K’Lavon Chaisson, and rookie safety Craig Woodson had the other interception. Meanwhile, cornerback Christian Gonzalez forced a fumble by running back Woody Marks in the third quarter after the Texans had closed to 21-13.
C.J. Stroud picked off 4 times in first half by Patriots (0:58)C.J. Stroud throws four interceptions in the first half for the Texans vs. the Patriots. (0:58)
CloseMike Reiss is an NFL reporter at ESPN and covers the New England Patriots. Reiss has covered the Patriots since 1997 and joined ESPN in 2009. In 2019, he was named Massachusetts Sportswriter of the Year by the National Sports Media Association.Follow on X
C.J. Stroud throws four interceptions in the first half for the Texans vs. the Patriots. (0:58)