US EditionBroncos Defense Must Carry Team Again as Backup QB Stidham Set to Start AFC Championship Game
- On Sunday, Jan. 18, 2026, the New England Patriots defeated the Houston Texans 28-16 at Gillette Stadium to advance to the AFC championship, with Drake Maye throwing three touchdown passes and Marcus Jones returning one interception for a score.
- A chilly mix of rain and wet snow set the stage as C.J. Stroud threw four first-half interceptions, helping the New England Patriots defense force five turnovers overall.
- A diving one-handed grab by Kayshon Boutte extended the Patriots' lead late, while Maye converted a 28-yard fourth-down pass to DeMario Douglas early despite multiple fumbles.
- The defeat extends the Texans' divisional-round skid, marking their third straight loss under DeMeco Ryans and extending the Texans franchise postseason record in this round to 0-7.
- The win sets up a rematch with Denver in Denver, as Mike Vrabel, Patriots head coach, leads New England to a 14-3 record and a path toward Super Bowl contention.
245 Articles
245 Articles
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Denver backup QB and ex-Patriot Jarrett Stidham is all that's keeping New England from Super Bowl
All that stands between the New England Patriots and their first trip to the Super Bowl since Tom Brady left is a backup quarterback that they already know pretty well. The team that Brady led to six NFL titles will…
Cardi B Claps Back After Broadcasters Pick the Texans to Beat Her Boyfriend Stefon Diggs and the Patriots
After beating Houston on Sunday, New England advanced to the AFC Championship Game on Jan. 25 against the Denver BroncosTodd Owyoung/NBC via Getty; Elsa/Getty Cardi B and Stefon Diggs.NEED TO KNOWCardi B took a swing at ESPN's NFL Live hosts after all five predicted her boyfriend Stefon Diggs' team would falter to the Houston Texans"What are you talking about? Nothing! Nothing!" the rapper yelled in a video posted after the Jan. 18 gameThe New E…
Stidham set to join Staubach, Reich and 4 other QBs to make first start of season in playoffs
Bo Nix's broken ankle has placed Jarrett Stidham into most unusual territory. After throwing no passes and taking four offensive snaps all season, Stidham will now take over as starting quarterback for the Denver Broncos in the AFC title game against New England on Sunday. Stidham hasn't thrown a pass in a regular-season or playoff [...]
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