Maye throws 3 TD passes, Stroud has 4 INTs as Patriots top Texans 28-16 to advance to AFC title game

"FOXBOROUGH, Mass. Drake Maye threw three touchdown passes, Marcus Jones returned one of C.J. Stroud's four interceptions for a score and the New England Patriots defeated the Houston Texans 28-16 on Sunday to advance to the AFC championship game for the first time in seven years. In Mike Vrabel's first season as coach, the Patriots will make their 16th conference championship game appearance and first since their run to their sixth Super Bowl title under Bill Belichick in the 2018 season. New England has won its last nine divisional round games."

"Maye finished 16 of 27 for 179 yards, but had an interception and fumbled four times, losing two in cold conditions in which snow and rain fell throughout the game. One of Maye's fumbles set up Houston's first touchdown. Carlton Davis III had two interceptions for New England. Craig Woodson added an interception and fumble recovery. The eight combined turnovers Woody Marks also lost a fumble for Houston were the most in a playoff game since 2015 when the Cardinals and Panthers combined for eight in the NFC championship game."

"Leading 21-16 in the fourth quarter, the Patriots stretched their lead to 27-16 when Kayshon Boutte got behind Derek Stingley Jr. and pulled in a diving, one-hand catch in the corner of the end zone for a touchdown. The Texans had the ball with 5:48 to play, but punted on fourth-and-18 at their own 21 with 4:18 remaining. New England's next drive took the clock under two minutes. But the Texans turned it over on downs when Stroud's fourth-down pass to Xavier Hutchinson was batted down by Robert Spillane."

The New England Patriots defeated the Houston Texans 28-16 to advance to the AFC championship game for the first time in seven years. Mike Vrabel led the Patriots to their 16th conference championship appearance and first since 2018, continuing New England's streak of nine straight divisional-round wins. Drake Maye threw three touchdown passes but also had an interception and four fumbles, losing two. C.J. Stroud threw a touchdown pass and all his interceptions occurred in the first half, and became the first player with five or more postseason interceptions and five or more postseason fumbles. Eight combined turnovers were the most in a playoff game since 2015.

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