Kayshon Boot scored a spectacular one-handed touchdown in the fourth quarter as the New England Patriots finally broke through the resistance of the Houston Texans on Sunday, winning 28-16 and advancing to the NFL’s final four.
Quarterback CJ Stroud had four interceptions in an error-filled game, and the Texans survived thanks to a No. 1 defense that held New England to just seven points off five total turnovers.
The Patriots will face the Denver Broncos in next Sunday’s AFC Championship Game, so Sean Payton’s team will be led by quarterback Jarrett Stidham after Bo Nix suffered a broken ankle during the Divisional Round win over the Buffalo Bills.
Patriots second-year quarterback and MVP candidate Drake Maye was 16 of 27 for 179 yards, three touchdowns, one interception and four fumbles despite being bothered by Houston’s pass rush all night.
Will Anderson was the star of DeMeco Ryans’ team with three sacks, two tackles for loss and one quarterback hit, but it was New England’s defense that caused Stroud’s mistake and left the decisive mark that ended Houston’s winning streak at 10.
New England will return to the AFC Championship Game for its 16th appearance, but its first since the end of the 2018 season when they joined Bill Belichick and Tom Brady in their quest to win the Super Bowl.
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Kayshon Boot’s out-of-this-world catch extends Patriots lead over Texans and moves them one step closer to the AFC Championship Game
Leader in statistics:
texans
Passing: CJ Stroud, 20/47, 212 yards, 1 TD, 4 INT Rushing: Woody Marks, 14 carries, 17 yards Receiving: Jayden Higgins, 6 catches, 59 yards
patriots
Passing: Drake Maye, 16-of-27, 179 yards, 3 TDs, 1 rushing: LaMondre Stephenson, 16 carries, 70 yards receiving: Kyshon Boutte, 3 catches, 75 yards, 1 TD
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CJ Stroud threw a 10-yard touchdown to Christian Kirk, who kept both feet in bounds.
It’s going to take something great to overcome the spirit and ferocity of Houston’s defense. It would take something great to beat Derek Stingley Jr. in coverage. New England called to boot.
With 12.58 yards left, the Patriots wide receiver took an outside-release vertical route to get within a yard, followed up Maye’s deep over-the-shoulder shot, and extended his right hand to hit the grass on the side of the end zone for a spectacular one-handed 32-yard touchdown catch. It proved to be a knockout blow of sorts.
Turnovers and defense dominated a frenetic first half, with Stroud throwing four interceptions and Maye losing one of his three fumbles as the Patriots took a 21-10 lead into halftime.
After Kaimi Fairbairn’s 25-yard field goal narrowed New England’s lead, Maye gave up his fourth fumble of the game in the third quarter and was strip-sacked by Anderson on third-and-six.
More fumble chaos ensued as Texans running back Woody Marks lost both his shoe and the ball, and Christian Gonzalez punched him out. But it wasn’t the first time the Patriots were once again unable to turn turnovers into points, forcing Houston’s defense to punt as a savior.
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CJ Stroud blitzes for a first down and his looping throw is picked off by Marcus Jones for a spectacular touchdown for the Patriots.
After Stroud’s blind pass looped into the air between K’Lavon Chaisson’s bruisers, Marcus Jones made a 26-yard pick-six to give New England a 14-10 advantage in the second quarter. Stroud was intercepted on the next possession when his pass ricocheted off the palm of Xavier Hutchinson and into the palm of Craig Woodson.
Stefon Diggs and his suckers hung on for a 7-yard touchdown with three minutes left in the first half, but Stroud’s ensuing possession ended with a second pick to Carlton Davis.
Davis’ first goal came in the first quarter when Stroud missed Christian Kirk’s wild pitch to the sideline, forcing the Patriots defensive back to make a sliding catch and deftly dragging his knee as he rolled wide.
The Patriots were unable to capitalize as Tommy Togiai flicked the ball out of the hands of a scrambling Maye, but they recovered and set up a drive that culminated with a 10-yard touchdown catch by Kirk to take a 10-7 lead.
New England took the lead on its second drive of the game when Demario Douglas made a 28-yard catch-and-run on a fourth-and-1.
Fairbairn made 3 of 3 field goals for Houston, which entered the game without Nico Collins due to a concussion and lost tight end Dalton Schultz to injury.
Douglas: I love Vrabel.
The victory continued an impressive first season under Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel, leading the franchise that won three Super Bowls as a player to contention once again.
“He’s a player’s coach,” wide receiver Douglas told Sky Sports NFL. “I heard a lot from people who worked with him outside of this team, and they said, ‘You’re going to love him,’ and I think so too. He knows what it takes to get into this position.”
“I feel blessed. The last two years haven’t been very good, but it’s a blessing to be in this position.
“It’s amazing. I’ve never heard such a loud sound in this stadium. That contributed to our victory.”
“We’re going to keep building, the road warriors have to come out again.”
Douglas also praised quarterback Maye, who is one game away from a Super Bowl appearance, insisting that he will play center field long-term in the post-Tom Brady era at Foxborough.
“That’s my son,” Douglas said. “Since he’s been here, he’s always had the energy and good spirit that the team needs. He’s continued to grow and you can see him gaining leadership and confidence this year. I love what he brings.”
Watch every NFL Playoff and Super Bowl I game live from Levi’s Stadium on Sky Sports NFL.
