New England Patriots vs Texans Match Player Stats
The new england patriots vs texans match player stats from the AFC Divisional Playoffs tell a much clearer story than the 28-16 final score alone. On January 18, 2026, the New England Patriots defeated the Houston Texans at Gillette Stadium, advancing after a game shaped by turnovers, defensive pressure, efficient red-zone execution, and a dramatic contrast between the two quarterbacks. The official NFL game center confirms the 28-16 result, with Houston scoring 3, 7, 6 and 0 points by quarter while New England produced 7, 14, 0 and 7.
For anyone researching the new england patriots vs texans match player stats, the most important numbers are not simply passing yards or total tackles. C.J. Stroud finished 20 of 47 for 212 yards, one touchdown and four interceptions, while Drake Maye completed 16 of 27 for 179 yards, three touchdowns and one interception. New England also generated four interceptions as a team, including a 26-yard pick-six by Marcus Jones.
That combination explains the game better than raw yardage. Houston actually finished with more passing attempts, but its passing game repeatedly gave New England opportunities to change field position and scoring momentum. The Patriots, meanwhile, accepted a less aggressive offensive approach and turned their scoring chances into touchdowns.
New England Patriots vs Texans Match Player Stats: Game Overview
The matchup was a meeting between two teams that entered the postseason with strong regular-season records. Houston finished 12-5, while New England entered the Divisional Round at 14-3. The Patriots also had home-field advantage at Gillette Stadium.
The final result was:
| Category | Houston Texans | New England Patriots |
| Final score | 16 | 28 |
| Record entering game | 12-5 | 14-3 |
| Passing yards | 212 | 179 |
| Rushing yards | 48 | 105 |
| Total receiving yards | 212 | 179 |
| Passing TDs | 1 | 3 |
| Interceptions thrown | 4 | 1 |
| Team interceptions | 1 | 4 |
| Sacks allowed | 3 | 5 |
| Turnovers lost | 1 listed fumble lost plus 4 INTs | 2 fumbles lost plus 1 INT |
| Field goals | 3 | 0 |
| Total points | 16 | 28 |
The central statistical contrast is striking. Houston gained more through the air, but New England produced 28 points while allowing only 16. The Patriots also ran for 105 yards compared with Houston’s 48, giving them a 57-yard advantage on the ground.
The official NFL box score records Houston’s 22 rushing attempts for 48 yards and New England’s 32 attempts for 105 yards.
C.J. Stroud’s Passing Performance
C.J. Stroud’s numbers are the first place to look when breaking down the Texans’ side.
He completed:
- 20 of 47 passes
- 212 passing yards
- 4.5 yards per attempt
- 1 touchdown
- 4 interceptions
- 3 sacks for 19 yards
- 28.0 passer rating
- 22.2 QBR according to the supplied game data
The official NFL player log confirms the 20-for-47 line, 212 yards, one touchdown, four interceptions and three sacks.
The completion rate was only 42.6 percent. That figure is particularly important because Houston needed consistent offensive possessions after falling behind early.
Stroud did make some productive throws. His longest completion went for 42 yards, and the Texans averaged 10.6 yards per completed reception. Dalton Schultz, for example, caught two passes for 47 yards, including a 42-yard gain.
But the positive plays were overwhelmed by the turnovers.
Four Interceptions Changed the Game
The most damaging element of Stroud’s performance was the four interceptions.
NFL’s postgame analysis noted that all four interceptions came in the first half and that one became a pick-six.
That is more important than simply saying “Stroud threw four interceptions.”
The timing mattered.
Every interception created one of three problems for Houston:
- It ended an offensive possession without a scoring opportunity.
- It gave New England additional opportunities.
- It increased pressure on Houston’s offense to recover quickly.
The Patriots did not need to dominate every offensive possession because their defense repeatedly created extra possessions.
That is one of the clearest lessons from this box score: turnover efficiency can outweigh moderate differences in offensive yardage.
Drake Maye’s Passing Performance
Drake Maye had a very different statistical profile.
He completed:
- 16 of 27 passes
- 179 yards
- 6.6 yards per attempt
- 3 touchdowns
- 1 interception
- 5 sacks for 36 yards
- 100.7 passer rating
- 20.7 QBR in the supplied data
The NFL game data confirms the 16-of-27 passing line, 179 yards, three touchdowns, one interception and five sacks.
At first glance, Maye’s 179 passing yards may look modest for a playoff quarterback. But that number needs context.
He threw three touchdown passes on only 27 attempts.
His touchdown rate was therefore considerably more important to the final score than his total yardage. New England’s passing attack also averaged 11.2 yards per reception, meaning the Patriots were getting meaningful gains when completions were made.
Maye was not perfect. He took five sacks and lost two fumbles according to the supplied game data. NFL’s postgame analysis also highlighted the pressure and fumble issues he faced.
Yet the difference was that New England’s quarterback mistakes did not produce the same level of damage as Houston’s interceptions.
New England’s Receiving Leaders
The Patriots’ receiving production was spread across several players, but Kayshon Boutte produced the biggest individual yardage total.
Kayshon Boutte
Boutte finished with:
- 3 receptions
- 75 yards
- 25.0 yards per reception
- 1 touchdown
- 32-yard long reception
- 5 targets
His 75 receiving yards represented a significant portion of New England’s 179 passing yards.
The biggest moment came late when Maye found Boutte for the decisive touchdown. NFL’s game analysis specifically highlighted Boutte’s spectacular one-handed catch as the play that effectively sealed the game.
That is why a simple reception count does not fully capture his influence.
Three catches can be more valuable than six short receptions if those three catches repeatedly produce explosive gains and points.
Stefon Diggs
Stefon Diggs recorded:
- 4 receptions
- 40 yards
- 10.0 yards per reception
- 1 touchdown
- 14-yard long reception
- 6 targets
Diggs provided another important scoring option for Maye.
His touchdown contributed to New England’s ability to build a two-score advantage during the first half. The Patriots did not require one receiver to dominate because several players contributed at critical moments.
DeMario Douglas
DeMario Douglas finished with:
- 2 receptions
- 36 yards
- 18.0 yards per reception
- 1 touchdown
- 28-yard long reception
- 2 targets
His efficiency stands out.
Two receptions produced 36 yards and a touchdown. That is precisely the kind of production that can make a passing offense dangerous without requiring a huge volume of throws.
Other New England Receivers
The remaining Patriots receiving statistics were:
- Austin Hooper: 1 reception, 14 yards
- Rhamondre Stevenson: 4 receptions, 11 yards
- Hunter Henry: 1 reception, 5 yards
- Kyle Williams: 0 receptions on 3 targets
- TreVeyon Henderson: 1 reception, -2 yards
As a group, New England completed 16 passes for 179 yards and three touchdowns.
The distribution tells us something important about the offense. New England was not dependent on constant high-volume production from one player. It needed a handful of high-impact completions, and those plays arrived.
Houston Texans Receiving Statistics
Houston’s receiving numbers show a different problem.
The Texans completed 20 passes for 212 yards and one touchdown. Jayden Higgins led the team with six catches for 59 yards on 10 targets.
Jayden Higgins
Higgins recorded:
- 6 receptions
- 59 yards
- 9.8 yards per reception
- 10 targets
- 16-yard long reception
His 10 targets were the most among Houston’s listed receivers.
However, 59 yards on 10 targets indicates how difficult it was for Houston to turn opportunities into explosive production.
Xavier Hutchinson
Hutchinson had:
- 4 receptions
- 44 yards
- 11.0 yards per reception
- 13 targets
- 23-yard long reception
His 13 targets were the highest total among the Texans’ receivers.
That volume is notable because it shows Houston repeatedly looked toward him, but the offense still struggled to turn those opportunities into touchdowns.
Dalton Schultz
Schultz produced one of Houston’s most efficient receiving performances:
- 2 receptions
- 47 yards
- 23.5 yards per reception
- 42-yard long reception
Two catches generated 47 yards.
That means Schultz alone accounted for more than one-fifth of Houston’s passing yardage despite receiving only two targets.
Christian Kirk
Christian Kirk provided Houston’s only receiving touchdown.
He finished with:
- 2 receptions
- 20 yards
- 10.0 yards per reception
- 1 touchdown
- 6 targets
His touchdown gave Houston an important scoring response, but it was not enough to overcome the turnover deficit.
Rushing Comparison
The rushing numbers provide another major explanation for the final result.
Houston ran 22 times for 48 yards.
New England ran 32 times for 105 yards.
That gives the Patriots:
- 10 more rushing attempts
- 57 more rushing yards
- 1.1 more yards per carry
The official NFL box score records the same 22-for-48 rushing performance for Houston.
Rhamondre Stevenson Leads New England’s Ground Game
Rhamondre Stevenson carried the ball 16 times for 70 yards.
His average was 4.4 yards per carry.
That workload represented half of New England’s listed team rushing attempts by its primary runners and quarterback.
Stevenson also contributed four receptions for 11 yards, giving him involvement in both phases.
His rushing performance mattered because it prevented New England from becoming entirely dependent on Maye’s passing.
TreVeyon Henderson’s Contribution
TreVeyon Henderson carried 12 times for 25 yards.
The efficiency was modest at 2.1 yards per carry, but his workload still helped New England maintain a balanced offensive structure.
Henderson also caught one pass for minus-2 yards.
The important point is that New England’s rushing success was not based on every carry producing a big gain. Stevenson supplied most of the efficiency, while the overall rushing volume helped control the game.
Houston’s Rushing Struggles
Woody Marks led Houston with 14 carries for only 17 yards.
Nick Chubb added 14 yards on four carries.
Stroud rushed twice for 11 yards, while Cade Stover added six yards on two attempts.
Houston’s total was only 48 yards at 2.2 yards per carry.
That made the offense easier for New England to defend.
When a team cannot consistently run the ball, it becomes more dependent on passing efficiency. Houston’s four interceptions then became even more damaging because the Texans did not have a reliable rushing attack to stabilize the offense.
Defensive Player Statistics
The defensive numbers are arguably the most important part of the entire matchup.
Houston recorded:
- 76 total tackles
- 41 solo tackles
- 5 sacks
- 9 tackles for loss
- 6 passes defended
- 2 quarterback hits
New England recorded:
- 67 total tackles
- 38 solo tackles
- 3 sacks
- 6 tackles for loss
- 14 passes defended
- 9 quarterback hits
- 1 defensive touchdown
The Patriots’ defense produced fewer total tackles and sacks, but it created far more interceptions.
That distinction matters.
A defense does not need to lead every box-score category to control a game. It needs to create the events that most directly influence scoring.
Carlton Davis III’s Two Interceptions
Carlton Davis III intercepted Stroud twice.
He finished with:
- 2 interceptions
- 0 return yards
- 0 interception touchdowns
Two interceptions from one defensive back in a playoff game is a major contribution.
The value becomes even clearer when placed beside Houston’s 28.0 passer rating.
Davis was part of a secondary that consistently disrupted Houston’s passing attack.
Marcus Jones and the Pick-Six
Marcus Jones added another interception and returned it 26 yards for a touchdown.
That play was one of the most valuable individual moments of the game.
NFL reported that Jones became the first Patriots player to record a playoff pick-six since Asante Samuel’s interception return in the 2006 AFC Championship Game.
A defensive touchdown changes the scoring equation immediately.
The Patriots did not have to drive 60 or 70 yards to earn those seven points. The defense generated the points itself.
Craig Woodson’s Interception
Craig Woodson also intercepted Stroud.
That gave New England four interceptions from four different defensive backs.
The team total was:
- 4 interceptions
- 26 interception return yards
- 1 defensive touchdown
Houston recorded only one interception.
That 4-to-1 advantage was arguably the single most important statistical difference in the game.
New England’s Defensive Pressure
The Patriots recorded three sacks, compared with Houston’s five.
That could make the defensive performance appear less dominant if sacks were viewed in isolation.
But quarterback pressure is broader than sacks.
NFL analysis reported that New England pressured Stroud on 16 dropbacks, while K’Lavon Chaisson produced a team-high six pressures and one sack.
That helps explain why Stroud’s completion rate was so poor.
The Patriots were not simply waiting for sacks. They were disrupting the timing and decision-making of the passing game.
Turnovers Tell the Real Story
The turnover battle deserves its own section because it is the clearest explanation for the result.
Houston threw four interceptions and lost one fumble according to the supplied team data.
New England threw one interception and lost two fumbles.
That means both teams had ball-security problems.
The difference was that New England’s defense created five takeaways while Houston created three turnovers from the Patriots.
NFL reported that New England forced five takeaways in the victory, with four interceptions coming in the first half.
The Patriots therefore had the more damaging takeaway performance.
This is an important distinction for anyone studying new england patriots vs texans match player stats. Turnover totals should not be read in isolation. The location and timing of turnovers matter.
A turnover inside scoring range can be worth far more than a turnover after a team has already punted multiple times.
Field Position and Special Teams
Special teams did not dominate the final score, but the statistics reveal another layer of the game.
Houston’s Ka’imi Fairbairn converted:
- 3 of 3 field goals
- 1 of 1 extra points
- Long field goal: 51 yards
- Total points: 10
New England’s Andy Borregales did not attempt a field goal but converted all four extra-point attempts.
That means Houston relied heavily on field goals for its scoring production.
The Texans scored 16 points despite producing only one offensive touchdown. The other 10 points came through Fairbairn’s three successful field goals, with the remaining points coming from the touchdown and extra point.
Punting Comparison
Houston punter Tommy Townsend recorded:
- 5 punts
- 294 total yards
- 58.8-yard average
- 1 inside the 20
- 72-yard long
- 0 touchbacks
New England punter Bryce Baringer recorded:
- 8 punts
- 333 total yards
- 41.6-yard average
- 3 inside the 20
- 55-yard long
- 0 touchbacks
Houston had the stronger gross punting average.
New England, however, put three punts inside the 20 compared with one for Houston.
That is another example of why raw averages do not always tell the complete story.
Punt Return Comparison
Marcus Jones was also New England’s main punt returner.
He recorded:
- 4 returns
- 53 yards
- 13.3 yards per return
- 24-yard long
Houston’s Jaylin Noel recorded:
- 3 returns
- 29 yards
- 9.7 yards per return
- 11-yard long
Jones therefore produced a 3.6-yard advantage per punt return.
His value extended beyond defense because he also produced the 26-yard interception return for a touchdown.
Kick Return Numbers
Houston had:
- 4 kick returns
- 88 yards
- 22.0-yard average
- 26-yard long
Jaylin Noel accounted for three returns and 69 yards.
New England had:
- 4 kick returns
- 89 yards
- 22.3-yard average
- 25-yard long
The teams were nearly identical in kick-return production.
That makes the difference in punt returns and defensive takeaways more meaningful.
What the Score Reveals About Offensive Efficiency
One of the biggest analytical mistakes is assuming that more yards automatically means better offense.
Houston had 212 passing yards.
New England had 179.
Yet New England scored 28 points.
Why?
Because offensive efficiency is about converting possessions into points, not simply accumulating yardage.
New England produced three passing touchdowns.
Houston produced one.
New England also ran for 105 yards compared with Houston’s 48.
Most importantly, Houston repeatedly surrendered possessions through interceptions.
This allowed New England to win despite Maye throwing for 33 fewer yards and taking two more sacks.
Why Drake Maye Won Despite Lower Passing Yardage
Maye’s performance is a useful example of situational quarterback play.
His 179 yards were not spectacular.
His three touchdown passes were.
He also completed 59.3 percent of his passes, compared with Stroud’s 42.6 percent.
The difference between the two completion rates was roughly 16.7 percentage points.
Maye also had a passer rating of 100.7 compared with Stroud’s 28.0.
Those numbers do not mean Maye played a flawless game. He did not.
He absorbed five sacks and committed multiple fumbles.
But he made enough high-value throws to support the defense and keep New England ahead.
NFL’s game analysis described the performance as one in which Maye made mistakes but still made enough plays to help the Patriots win two consecutive defensive contests.
Why C.J. Stroud’s Yardage Was Misleading
Stroud’s 212 yards can look respectable in a box score.
The context is much different.
He attempted 47 passes.
That means Houston needed a large passing volume to produce 212 yards.
His average was only 4.5 yards per attempt.
The four interceptions then erased the value of many of his positive plays.
A quarterback can throw for more than 200 yards and still have a poor game if the yardage comes with low efficiency and multiple turnovers.
That is exactly what happened here.
The First Half Was the Turning Point
The game was effectively shaped during the opening two quarters.
Houston scored 3 points in the first quarter and 7 in the second.
New England scored 7 in the first and 14 in the second.
The Patriots therefore entered halftime with a 21-10 advantage.
The second half was much closer from a scoring perspective.
Houston scored six points in the third quarter and none in the fourth.
New England scored nothing in the third but seven in the fourth.
That fourth-quarter touchdown was crucial because it ended any realistic chance of a Houston comeback.
A Practical Way to Read This Box Score
When evaluating a playoff game like this, I find it more useful to examine the statistics in five layers.
1. Quarterback efficiency
Look at completion percentage, yards per attempt, touchdowns and interceptions together.
2. Turnover impact
Do not simply count turnovers. Identify which turnovers directly created points.
3. Rushing balance
A strong rushing performance can reduce pressure on a quarterback.
4. Explosive plays
Look for long receptions, long runs and return opportunities.
5. Defensive disruption
Sacks matter, but interceptions, pressures, passes defended and quarterback hits can reveal a broader defensive effect.
Using that framework, the Patriots had the stronger overall statistical profile in the categories that most directly affect winning.
Key Player Comparison
| Player | Key production | Main takeaway |
| Drake Maye | 16/27, 179 yards, 3 TD, 1 INT | Efficient scoring production |
| C.J. Stroud | 20/47, 212 yards, 1 TD, 4 INT | Yardage undermined by turnovers |
| Rhamondre Stevenson | 16 carries, 70 yards | New England’s leading rusher |
| TreVeyon Henderson | 12 carries, 25 yards | Added rushing volume |
| Kayshon Boutte | 3 catches, 75 yards, TD | Biggest Patriots receiving impact |
| Stefon Diggs | 4 catches, 40 yards, TD | Reliable scoring target |
| DeMario Douglas | 2 catches, 36 yards, TD | Efficient explosive production |
| Jayden Higgins | 6 catches, 59 yards | Houston’s reception leader |
| Dalton Schultz | 2 catches, 47 yards | Excellent yards per reception |
| Carlton Davis III | 2 INT | Major defensive impact |
| Marcus Jones | INT, 26-yard TD return | Defensive touchdown changed momentum |
The Most Important Statistical Lessons
The game offers several lessons that apply beyond this individual matchup.
Turnovers Can Overrule Yardage
Houston gained more passing yards but lost the game by 12 points.
The reason was not mysterious. Four interceptions severely reduced the value of the passing production.
Touchdowns Matter More Than Volume
Maye threw three touchdowns on 27 attempts.
Stroud threw one touchdown on 47 attempts.
The Patriots received substantially more scoring value from their passing attempts.
Rushing Volume Helps Stabilize an Offense
New England ran 32 times.
Houston ran only 22 times.
The Patriots also gained 57 more rushing yards.
That allowed New England to avoid relying entirely on Maye.
Defensive Scores Are Game-Changing
Marcus Jones’ pick-six provided seven points without requiring an offensive drive.
That type of scoring is especially powerful in playoff football.
Efficiency Beats Raw Production
The Texans had players who produced impressive individual numbers.
Schultz averaged 23.5 yards per reception.
Higgins caught six passes.
Stroud passed for 212 yards.
But the Patriots were better at converting opportunities into points.
That is the deeper story behind the box score.
What the Numbers Say About Houston
Houston’s statistics point to three major weaknesses in this game.
First, the rushing attack was ineffective.
Second, the passing game was inefficient.
Third, the offense repeatedly turned the ball over.
Those problems are connected.
If the rushing game produces only 2.2 yards per carry, the quarterback has more responsibility.
If the quarterback then faces consistent pressure, his decision-making becomes even more important.
And if those possessions end in interceptions, the defense is repeatedly placed in difficult situations.
Houston’s offense therefore struggled as a system, not simply because one player had a poor afternoon.
What the Numbers Say About New England
New England’s statistics point to a different formula.
The Patriots:
- Ran effectively enough to stay balanced
- Converted passing opportunities into touchdowns
- Created four interceptions
- Returned one interception for a touchdown
- Limited Houston to 48 rushing yards
- Produced 14 passes defended
- Generated nine quarterback hits
The defense did not need to shut Houston out.
It simply needed to make Houston pay for mistakes.
That is exactly what happened.
How This Game Should Be Remembered
The final score, 28-16, accurately reflects New England’s superiority, but it does not fully explain how the game developed.
The Patriots won because they were more effective in the highest-leverage moments.
Stroud’s four interceptions were devastating.
Maye’s three touchdown passes were valuable.
New England’s defense repeatedly created extra possessions.
The running game gave the Patriots balance.
And Marcus Jones’ defensive touchdown added a direct scoring advantage.
The official NFL postgame analysis emphasized that New England forced five takeaways and that its defense responded strongly against a Houston team whose defense had received significant attention before the matchup.
FAQs
Who won the Texans vs Patriots Divisional Round game?
The New England Patriots defeated the Houston Texans 28-16 at Gillette Stadium on January 18, 2026.
How many interceptions did C.J. Stroud throw?
C.J. Stroud threw four interceptions against New England. He completed 20 of 47 passes for 212 yards and one touchdown.
How did Drake Maye perform against the Texans?
Drake Maye completed 16 of 27 passes for 179 yards, three touchdowns and one interception. He was also sacked five times for 36 yards.
Who was the Patriots’ leading receiver?
Kayshon Boutte led New England with 75 receiving yards on three receptions and scored one touchdown.
Who led the Patriots in rushing?
Rhamondre Stevenson led New England with 70 rushing yards on 16 carries.
How many interceptions did the Patriots defense record?
New England recorded four interceptions. Carlton Davis III had two, while Marcus Jones and Craig Woodson each had one. Marcus Jones returned his interception 26 yards for a touchdown.
Conclusion
The new england patriots vs texans match player stats show a playoff game decided by efficiency, defensive disruption and turnovers rather than simple yardage totals.
C.J. Stroud finished with 212 passing yards, but his four interceptions were the defining statistic on Houston’s side. Drake Maye produced only 179 passing yards, yet three touchdown passes allowed New England to extract far more scoring value from its passing opportunities.
The Patriots also controlled the rushing comparison, gaining 105 yards on 32 attempts while Houston managed 48 yards on 22 attempts. That 57-yard rushing advantage helped New England maintain offensive balance.
Defensively, the Patriots produced the decisive statistical edge. Four interceptions, five total takeaways, 14 passes defended and nine quarterback hits demonstrate how consistently the defense disrupted Houston’s passing game. Marcus Jones’ interception return for a touchdown was especially important because it converted a defensive play directly into points.
For readers studying player performance, the biggest lesson is that the most meaningful statistics are connected. Passing yards need context. Rushing totals need efficiency. Receptions need targets and scoring impact. Defensive statistics need to be connected to possessions and points.
That broader view explains why New England won 28-16 even though Houston finished with more passing yards.
The new england patriots vs texans match player stats ultimately describe a Patriots team that won the most important statistical battle of the afternoon: creating and converting high-value opportunities.
