Snow is falling in Foxborough. It’s that classic, gritty January atmosphere at Gillette Stadium where the air is thin and every hit sounds like a car crash. If you came here wondering what's the score of the patriots football game, you’re looking at a tight one: the Houston Texans currently lead the New England Patriots 10-7 in the second quarter of this AFC Divisional Round matchup.
It’s a dogfight.
Drake Maye and C.J. Stroud are living up to the hype, though the elements are clearly playing a factor. The ball is slick, and the footing is questionable at best. We saw the Patriots jump out to an early lead, but Houston has clawed back with that relentless efficiency Stroud has become known for.
Making Sense of the Score: How We Got Here
The game started with a statement. New England's defense, which looked like a brick wall last week against the Chargers, came out firing. They forced a quick three-and-out, giving Drake Maye the ball with a short field.
Maye didn't waste time. On a ballsy 4th & 1 call from Mike Vrabel—who clearly isn't afraid to gamble in the postseason—Maye found DeMario "Pop" Douglas for a 28-yard touchdown. Douglas made a defender miss in the slush and cruised into the end zone. For a moment, it felt like the Patriots might run away with it.
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Then the Texans woke up.
Houston’s response was a methodical, 12-play drive that ate up clock and tired out the New England pass rush. C.J. Stroud looked calm, hitting Dalton Schultz for a massive 42-yard gain that flipped the field. They eventually punched it in for a touchdown to take the lead 10-7 after an earlier field goal by Ka'imi Fairbairn.
Key Stats and Game Dynamics
| Stat Category | Houston Texans | New England Patriots |
|---|---|---|
| Current Score | 10 | 7 |
| Total Yards | 148 | 94 |
| Passing Yards | 112 | 68 |
| Rushing Yards | 36 | 26 |
| Turnovers | 0 | 0 |
Honestly, the rushing game is where this will be won or lost. Rhamondre Stevenson has been fighting for every blade of grass, but the Texans' front four is playing inspired football. On the other side, Woody Marks is finding some lanes, though the Patriots' Robert Spillane has already racked up four tackles and a tackle for loss.
The Stakes for New England
This isn't just another game. The winner of this clash moves on to Denver to face the Broncos in the AFC Championship. The Broncos are coming off a wild 33-30 overtime win against Buffalo, though they lost Bo Nix to a season-ending injury in the process.
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Basically, whoever wins today has a very real path to the Super Bowl, likely facing Jarrett Stidham in Denver next week.
If you're tracking what's the score of the patriots football game for betting purposes, keep an eye on the live spread. The Patriots opened as 3.5-point favorites, but that lead has evaporated in the eyes of the bookmakers as the Texans’ offense has found its rhythm.
Why the Second Half Matters
New England needs to figure out the third-down situation. Right now, the Texans are converting at a high clip, keeping the Patriots' defense on the field way too long.
- Pressure Stroud: Harold Landry III needs to get home. Stroud is too dangerous when he has three seconds to scan the field.
- Establish the Run: Maye is a playmaker, but he shouldn't have to throw 40 times in a snowstorm.
- Special Teams: In a 3-point game, a muffed punt or a blocked kick is usually the deciding factor.
The atmosphere at Gillette is electric despite the cold. Ty Law rang the bell atop the lighthouse before kickoff, and you can tell the crowd is desperate for the first home playoff win since the 2018 season.
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Check the live broadcast on ABC or ESPN for real-time visual updates. If you can’t get to a TV, the radio broadcast on 98.5 The Sports Hub is your best bet for the local flavor and play-by-play.
Keep an eye on the clock. With the way both teams are protecting the football, this could easily come down to a last-second field goal.
Watch for these specific adjustments in the coming minutes:
- Look for Drake Maye to use his legs more on RPO (Run-Option) plays to freeze the Texans' linebackers.
- Monitor the health of Christian Gonzalez, who has been a focal point in the secondary.
- Watch the wind speed; it’s picking up, which might make long field goals a nightmare for both kickers.
The winner gets a ticket to the AFC Championship. The loser goes home. It doesn't get much more "playoff football" than this.