"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."
"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."
"The Texans have lost in the divisional round in three straight seasons under coach DeMeco Ryans. The franchise is now 0-7 all-time in this round. Stroud finished 20 of 47 with a TD pass. All of his interceptions came in the first half as he became the first player with five or more INTs and five or more fumbles in a single postseason. Will Anderson forced two fumbles for the Texans."
Drake Maye threw three touchdown passes while Marcus Jones returned one of C.J. Stroud's four interceptions for a score as 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 reached the conference title game in his first season as coach, marking New England's 16th appearance and first since 2018. Maye completed 16 of 27 passes for 179 yards, threw an interception and fumbled four times, losing two. Houston and New England combined for eight turnovers, the most in a playoff game since 2015. Stroud finished 20 of 47 with a touchdown and four first-half interceptions.
Read at ESPN.com
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