Overview
- New England's defense intercepted C.J. Stroud four times, returned one for a touchdown, and forced five takeaways overall.
- Stroud went 20-of-47 for 212 yards with one touchdown, four interceptions and a lost fumble, giving him five picks and five fumbles across two postseason games.
- Drake Maye finished 16-of-27 for 179 yards and three touchdowns, overcoming two lost fumbles as Kayshon Boutte and Stefon Diggs hauled in scoring grabs.
- Snow and rain created slick conditions that fueled eight total turnovers, and Houston was without top receiver Nico Collins as New England welcomed back corner Christian Gonzalez.
- The AFC title game is set for Denver on Sunday, Jan. 25 at 3 p.m. ET on CBS, with the top-seeded Broncos turning to former Patriot Jarrett Stidham after Bo Nix’s season-ending injury.