You’re probably hitting refresh on your phone, checking the apps, and wondering why the heck you can’t find the score of the patriots game today. Well, honestly? It’s because the game hasn't happened yet.
Despite the NFL Divisional Round kicking off this afternoon, New England is stuck in the waiting room. If you’re a Pats fan, you've likely spent your Saturday watching the Buffalo Bills and Denver Broncos trade blows or catching the NFC West slugfest between the Niners and Seahawks. But as for the squad from Foxborough, they don't take the field until tomorrow, Sunday, January 18.
It's a weird spot to be in. The tension is basically a physical weight in New England right now. We’re all sitting around waiting to see if Drake Maye can handle the Houston Texans’ pass rush, but for today, the scoreboard at Gillette Stadium is staying dark.
When is the actual score of the patriots game today going to be final?
The New England Patriots are scheduled to host the Houston Texans on Sunday, January 18, 2026, at 3:00 PM ET. That’s when the real drama starts.
If you were looking for a score because you thought they played on Saturday, you’re not alone—the NFL’s split schedule for the Divisional Round always trips people up. Today was reserved for the AFC matchup between Buffalo and Denver and the NFC battle in Seattle.
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The Patriots earned this "day off" and home-field advantage by finishing the regular season at a staggering 14-3. They already took care of business in the Wild Card round last week, smothering the Los Angeles Chargers in a 16-3 defensive masterclass. That game was a bit of a grind, but it proved that Mike Vrabel has this defense playing like it’s 2004 again.
Why the Texans matchup is a nightmare for New England
C.J. Stroud is coming to town. That’s the headline.
While we wait for the score of the patriots game today to actually materialize tomorrow, the talk of the town is how the Pats' secondary will hold up. Last time these two met, Houston hung 41 points on them. It was ugly. Maye threw three touchdowns but also tossed two picks and ate the turf four times.
The Texans are currently riding a 10-game winning streak. They are the hottest team in football. DeMeco Ryans has built a defensive unit that ranks number one in the league in EPA per drop-back. If the Patriots want to win tomorrow, they have to protect Maye better than they did in that first meeting.
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Key factors that will decide tomorrow's scoreboard
Since there is no score of the patriots game today, let’s look at what will determine the numbers we see tomorrow afternoon.
- The Health of Christian Gonzalez: He cleared concussion protocol on Friday. That is massive. Without him, Stroud would likely pick this defense apart.
- The Rushing Attack: New England needs Rhamondre Stevenson to be a workhorse. Keeping Stroud off the field is the only way to keep the score low and manageable.
- Red Zone Efficiency: In their Wild Card win over the Chargers, the Patriots struggled to finish drives. You cannot settle for field goals against Houston.
The betting line is currently Patriots -3.5. Vegas thinks it’s going to be a nail-biter. Most analysts are split, with some like Jon Gruden leaning toward the Pats’ experience, while others think the Texans’ momentum is just too much to stop.
What happened in the other games?
While we wait for the New England result, the rest of the AFC is shaping up. The winner of tomorrow’s Pats-Texans game will advance to the AFC Championship on January 25. If the Bills win today, we could be looking at a classic New England vs. Buffalo showdown for a trip to the Super Bowl.
It’s kind of wild to think about how far this team has come. From "worst to first" in the AFC East in just one season. Mike Vrabel has brought a toughness back to Foxborough that felt lost for a few years.
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Tracking the game in real-time
When tomorrow finally rolls around, you can catch the game on ABC and ESPN. If you’re on the move, the radio broadcast on 98.5 The Sports Hub is still the gold standard for New England fans.
Don't expect a blowout. The Texans' defense is too disciplined, and the Patriots' offense is still growing into its identity under Maye. It’s going to be a "bend-but-don't-break" kind of afternoon.
Check the weather report too. Forecasts for Foxborough are calling for typical January chill, which usually favors the home team. Stroud is a dome quarterback by nature, so a little wind and some freezing temps might be exactly what the Patriots need to disrupt his rhythm.
If you’re looking for the score of the patriots game today, keep your eyes on the Saturday night highlights to see who they might face next, but keep your jersey ready for Sunday.
Actionable Next Steps:
- Check the final injury report on Sunday morning at 11:30 AM ET to ensure no last-minute scratches.
- Sync your DVR for 3:00 PM ET on ABC/ESPN if you aren't watching live.
- Monitor the Denver vs. Buffalo final score tonight to see which side of the bracket remains open for the AFC Championship.