The New England Patriots deservedly beat the Houston Texans 28-16 and go to the AFC Championship where they will face the Denver Broncos.
It was a game in which the two defenses dominated, Houston’s according to predictions, New England’s exceeded expectations by nullifying the Texans’ attack. With the two defensive teams performing the same, the difference between the two teams lies entirely in the skill and cool-headedness of Drake Maye who, despite being subjected to the pressure of the Texans’ fearsome pass rush, managed to limit errors and above all to make a couple of big plays with the collaboration of his receivers. The final tally of the young Patriots QB was a good 16 out of 27 (59%) for 143 net yards and three TD passes, despite suffering 5 sacks and an interception. On the other hand, his rival CJ Stroud probably played his worst game as a pro, finishing with 20 out of 47 for 193 yards but above all causing 5 turnovers, 4 interceptions and one fumble, suffering beyond reasonable pressure from the New England defense. The bad day of their OL also contributed to the bad offensive performance of the Texans who, in addition to not exercising valid pass protection, had great difficulty in opening gaps for the ball carriers who in the end only totaled 48 yards of gain.
Another factor that contributed to the Patriots’ success was the great game of the defensive secondary who, in addition to the 4 interceptions, one of which was returned to the endzone, recorded an impressive 14 pass breakups, annihilating Houston’s aerial game. The Texans defense confirmed its efficiency led by the usual Will Anderson, author of three sacks and two of the four fumbles forced by the New England attack, but did little to counter Maye’s two TD passes that brought Stephon Diggs and then Kayshon Boutte into the endzone. On the shields for New England, in addition to Drake Maye, also Rhamondre Stevenson with 70 yards in 10 courses and four receptions for another 11 yards, the CB Carlton Davis with 2 interceptions and 4 PDs and the safety Craig Woodson, with an interception and 3 PDs in addition to Marcus Jones, author of the interception reported for touchdown.
After a punt each, in the second attack New England scores a touchdown thanks to a nice 28-yard pass from Maye to DeMario Douglas. The response is a good drive from Houston who, after having gone up the field for 65 yards, arriving at New England’s 6, has to limit itself to Ka’imi Fairbarn’s kick from 28 yards. The Texans defense then forces the Patriots into a Three & out but, as has happened too often this year, the attack wastes everything with CJ Stroud who has a pass intended for Christian Kirk intercepted by Davis. The Patriots, however, do not take advantage of the situation because Maye commits a fumble forced by Tommy Tongiai and gives possession back to the Texans on the NE 27. From here Stroud leads the winning drive which ends with a 10-yard pass to Kirk. New England’s next possession is unsuccessful and the oval returns to Stroud who at his own 26 suffers the second interception by DeMario Douglas who brings the oval back to the endzone for the Patriots lead. The worst moment arrives for Houston, since in the following drive Stroud suffers the third interception, this time by Craig Woodson. An unproductive possession each follows, then Maye leads a great drive with two passes to Boutte, the first for 25 and the second for 18 yards and finally the 7-yard TD pass to Stephon Diggs. From here to the end nothing else happens, with the exception of an interception suffered by Maye in the last action of the half without any effect.
The first possession of the third quarter belongs to Houston who reaches the Patriots’ 7 and once again has to settle for a FG. In the rest of the third quarter the Texans defense continues to do its part but the attack continues to suffer and only manages to produce the opportunity for a field goal which Fairbairn converts from 51 yards for the 16-21 which could reopen the game. However, it happens that in the following drive, at the beginning of the fourth period, Maye closes his possession with a pass from the 32 line on which Kayshon Boutte makes a tightrope “one hand catch” in the endzone to put New England back ahead 28-16. It is the action that effectively closes the game because in the rest of the quarter the two defenses keep good guard and the score no longer changes.
