Houston Texans vs New England Patriots
Houston Texans
Away
16
New England Patriots
HomeWon, advanced
28
| Team | Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | Final |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Texans | 3 | 7 | 6 | 0 | 16 |
| Patriots | 7 | 14 | 0 | 7 | 28 |
HOU 16NE 28 Final
Passing leader
9.6PPR pts
20/47, 212 YDS, 1 TD, 4 INT
Top fantasy scorer
16.5PPR pts
3 REC, 75 YDS, 1 TD
Texans leader
11.9PPR pts
6 REC, 59 YDS
Defensive playmaker
Marcus Jones
1 INT, 1 TD, 2 TKL
Patriots 28, Texans 16: New England wins the 2025 Divisional Round
New England led 21–10 at halftime after a 14-point second quarter and outscored Houston 7–6 after the break to win 28–16. The Patriots finished with a narrow 248–241 edge in total offense and averaged 3.9 yards per play.
The Texans went 7-for-17 on third down and committed five turnovers, while the Patriots kept the ball for 32:09.
The Patriots' run ended in the Super Bowl, a 29–13 loss to the Seahawks.
Key advantages
- +0.6 yards/play NE 3.9 · HOU 3.3
- +2 turnover margin NE 3 · HOU 5 turnovers
- +7 total yards NE 248 · HOU 241
Game Highlights
Official NFL highlights · Opens from YouTube
Got a Texan or Patriot on your fantasy team?
Check their next matchup with the Start/Sit Tool, compare their value in the Fantasy Trade Calculator, or connect your league for personalized advice in Redraft Command.
Works with Sleeper, ESPN and Fleaflicker. No password needed.
Why the Patriots Won
New England won the efficiency, turnover, and time of possession battles.
| Texans | Stat | Patriots |
|---|---|---|
| 3.3 | Yards per play | 3.9 |
| 5 | Turnovers | 3 |
| 241 | Total yards | 248 |
| Other team stats | ||
| 72 | Plays | 64 |
| 41% | Third-down conversion | 21% |
| 27:51 | Time of possession | 32:09 |
Scoring Summary
The Patriots scored four touchdowns; the Texans scored one touchdown and three field goals.
| Time | Team | Play | HOU | NE |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st quarter | ||||
| 9:35 | NE | Drake Maye → DeMario Douglas, 28-yard TD Takes leadAndy Borregales XP | 0 | 7 |
| 5:26 | HOU | Ka'imi Fairbairn 25-yard FG | 3 | 7 |
| 2nd quarter | ||||
| 12:51 | HOU | C.J. Stroud → Christian Kirk, 10-yard TD Takes leadKa'imi Fairbairn XP | 10 | 7 |
| 10:31 | NE | Marcus Jones 26-yard interception return TD Takes leadAndy Borregales XP | 10 | 14 |
| 3:12 | NE | Drake Maye → Stefon Diggs, 7-yard TD Extends leadAndy Borregales XP | 10 | 21 |
| 3rd quarter | ||||
| 9:45 | HOU | Ka'imi Fairbairn 25-yard FG | 13 | 21 |
| 1:32 | HOU | Ka'imi Fairbairn 51-yard FG | 16 | 21 |
| 4th quarter | ||||
| 12:58 | NE | Drake Maye → Kayshon Boutte, 32-yard TD Extends leadAndy Borregales XP | 16 | 28 |
Playoff game: these points don't count in most season-long fantasy leagues.
Fantasy Points vs Expected
Expected points (xFP) are what a player's pass attempts, carries and targets are worth at the league's average rates; the difference is what the player made of them.
- Biggest overperformer+8.2DeMario Douglas11.6 PTS vs 3.4 xFP
- Biggest underperformer−13.8Xavier Hutchinson8.4 PTS vs 22.2 xFP
- Highest expected volume22.2 xFPC.J. Stroud9.6 PTS scored
| Player | PTS | xFP | vs xFP | Snap% | Usage | Rte% | Pass att | Car | Car% | Tgt | Tgt% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| C.J. StroudHOU · QB | 9.6 | 22.2 | −12.6 | — | 47 att | — | 47 | 2 | 9% | 0 | 0% |
| Xavier HutchinsonHOU · WR | 8.4 | 22.2 | −13.8 | — | 29% tgt | — | 0 | 0 | 0% | 13 | 29% |
| Rhamondre StevensonNE · RB | 12.1 | 17.1 | −5.0 | — | 50% car | — | 0 | 16 | 50% | 4 | 15% |
| Jayden HigginsHOU · WR | 11.9 | 17.0 | −5.1 | — | 22% tgt | — | 0 | 0 | 0% | 10 | 22% |
| Drake MayeNE · QB | 15.2 | 14.6 | +0.6 | — | 27 att | — | 27 | 4 | 13% | 0 | 0% |
| Woody MarksHOU · RB | 3.6 | 14.2 | −10.6 | — | 64% car | — | 0 | 14 | 64% | 3 | 7% |
| TreVeyon HendersonNE · RB | 3.3 | 11.2 | −7.9 | — | 38% car | — | 0 | 12 | 38% | 2 | 8% |
| Christian KirkHOU · WR | 10.0 | 10.2 | −0.2 | — | 13% tgt | — | 0 | 0 | 0% | 6 | 13% |
| Harrison BryantHOU · TE | 5.1 | 10.2 | −5.1 | — | 13% tgt | — | 0 | 0 | 0% | 6 | 13% |
| Stefon DiggsNE · WR | 14.0 | 10.2 | +3.8 | — | 23% tgt | — | 0 | 0 | 0% | 6 | 23% |
| Kayshon BoutteNE · WR | 16.5 | 8.5 | +8.0 | — | 19% tgt | — | 0 | 0 | 0% | 5 | 19% |
| Cade StoverHOU · TE | 1.8 | 6.4 | −4.6 | — | 9% car | — | 0 | 2 | 9% | 3 | 7% |
| Kyle WilliamsNE · — | 0.0 | 5.1 | −5.1 | — | 12% tgt | — | 0 | 0 | 0% | 3 | 12% |
| Nick ChubbHOU · RB | 1.4 | 4.3 | −2.9 | — | 18% car | — | 0 | 4 | 18% | 1 | 2% |
| Austin HooperNE · TE | 2.4 | 3.4 | −1.0 | — | 8% tgt | — | 0 | 0 | 0% | 2 | 8% |
| Dalton SchultzHOU · TE | 6.7 | 3.4 | +3.3 | — | 4% tgt | — | 0 | 0 | 0% | 2 | 4% |
| DeMario DouglasNE · WR | 11.6 | 3.4 | +8.2 | — | 8% tgt | — | 0 | 0 | 0% | 2 | 8% |
| Hunter HenryNE · TE | 1.5 | 3.4 | −1.9 | — | 8% tgt | — | 0 | 0 | 0% | 2 | 8% |
| Jaylin NoelHOU · WR | 0.0 | 1.7 | −1.7 | — | 2% tgt | — | 0 | 0 | 0% | 1 | 2% |
Team totals: Texans 45 targets and 22 carries; Patriots 26 targets and 32 carries. Shares are from the box score. Snap counts aren't available for this game. Route counts, air yards and red-zone touches appear when the tracking feed is connected. League-average rates from the 2025 season: 1.70 PPR points per target (67% catch rate), 0.65 per carry and 0.44 per pass attempt. They don't adjust for field position or target depth.
Fantasy Verdicts
C.J. Stroud Unlucky
20 of 47 passing for 212 yards, 1 touchdown, 4 interceptions; 2 carries for 11 yards.
Verdict: The role was there, worth 22.2 points at league-average rates; the production wasn't.
Fewest points since Week 9.
Drake Maye
16 of 27 passing for 179 yards, 3 touchdowns, 1 interception; 4 carries for 10 yards.
Verdict: The points matched the role, 14.6 expected.
Fewest points since Week 5.
Xavier Hutchinson Unlucky
13 targets (29% of the team's), 4 catches for 44 yards.
Verdict: The role was there, worth 22.2 points at league-average rates; the production wasn't.
Season high in targets (13).
Jayden Higgins Unlucky
10 targets (22% of the team's), 6 catches for 59 yards.
Verdict: The role was there, worth 17.0 points at league-average rates; the production wasn't.
Season high in targets (10).
Rhamondre Stevenson Unlucky
4 targets (15% of the team's), 4 catches for 11 yards; 16 carries (50% of the team's) for 70 yards.
Verdict: The role was there, worth 17.1 points at league-average rates; the production wasn't.
Fewest points since Week 15.
TreVeyon Henderson Unlucky
2 targets (8% of the team's), 1 catch for -2 yards; 12 carries (38% of the team's) for 25 yards.
Verdict: The role was there, worth 11.2 points at league-average rates; the production wasn't.
Woody Marks Volume, no payoff
3 targets (7% of the team's), 2 catches for 19 yards; 14 carries (64% of the team's) for 17 yards.
Verdict: The role was there, worth 14.2 points at league-average rates; the production wasn't.
Fewest points since Week 9.
Harrison Bryant Unlucky
6 targets (13% of the team's), 3 catches for 21 yards.
Verdict: The role was there, worth 10.2 points at league-average rates; the production wasn't.
Season high in targets (6). Best fantasy game of the season.
Fantasy Matchups
Fantasy points allowed per game by position, 2025 through Week 18.
| Points allowed to | Texans D | Patriots D |
|---|---|---|
| QBs | 13.5 | 15.2 |
| RBs | 19.3 | 19.0 |
| WRs | 25.1 | 28.6 |
| TEs | 12.3 | 13.8 |
Regular season, summed from each game's box score and scored with this page's rules.
How the Game Swung
New England opened at 59% win probability and passed 98% in the fourth quarter on the way to the win.
Patriots win probability
Key Swings
- +19Maye → Douglas, 28-yd TD58% → 78%Q1 9:35
- −23Stroud → Kirk, 10-yd TD70% → 47%Q2 12:51
- +24Jones 26-yd pick-six47% → 71%Q2 10:31
- +18Maye → Diggs, 7-yd TD71% → 90%Q2 3:12
- +16Maye → Boutte, 32-yd TD82% → 98%Q4 12:58
Swing in Patriots win probability, in points
Play Calling and Possessions
| Houston Texans | Measure | New England Patriots |
|---|---|---|
| 72 | Plays | 64 |
| 69% | Pass rate | 50% |
| 3.9 | Yds / dropback | 4.5 |
| 2.2 | Yds / carry | 3.3 |
| 7/17 | Third downs | 3/14 |
Efficiency edge New England ran 8 fewer plays but gained 0.6 more yards per dropback.
- Top targets
- HOU Hutchinson 29% · Higgins 22% · Kirk 13%
- NE Diggs 23% · Boutte 19% · Stevenson 15%
Possession Results
| Result | HOU | NE |
|---|---|---|
| Touchdowns | 1 | 3 |
| Field goals | 3 | 0 |
| Punts | 5 | 8 |
| Turnovers | 5 | 3 |
| Turnovers on downs | 1 | 0 |
NE turnover edge: +2
- The Patriots opened the scoring on their second possession, a 6-play, 66-yard drive that ended in a touchdown.
All 30 possessions, drive by drive
| Team | Start | Plays | Yards | Time | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NE | Q1 15:00 | 3 | 6 | 1:23 | Punt |
| HOU | Q1 13:37 | 3 | 3 | 0:44 | Punt |
| NE | Q1 12:53 | 6 | 66 | 3:18 | Touchdown |
| HOU | Q1 9:35 | 10 | 65 | 4:09 | Field goal |
| NE | Q1 5:26 | 3 | -19 | 1:45 | Punt |
| HOU | Q1 3:41 | 5 | 11 | 2:04 | Interception |
| NE | Q1 1:37 | 2 | 9 | 0:44 | Fumble |
| HOU | Q1 0:53 | 6 | 27 | 3:02 | Touchdown |
| NE | Q2 12:51 | 6 | 12 | 2:10 | Punt |
| HOU | Q2 10:41 | 1 | 0 | 0:10 | Interception |
| HOU | Q2 10:31 | 4 | 10 | 1:58 | Interception |
| NE | Q2 8:33 | 3 | 2 | 2:00 | Punt |
| HOU | Q2 6:33 | 3 | 0 | 0:33 | Punt |
| NE | Q2 6:00 | 5 | 56 | 2:48 | Touchdown |
| HOU | Q2 3:12 | 4 | 27 | 1:18 | Interception |
| NE | Q2 1:54 | 3 | 3 | 0:51 | Punt |
| HOU | Q2 1:03 | 3 | 1 | 0:27 | Punt |
| NE | Q2 0:36 | 4 | -1 | 0:36 | Interception |
| HOU | Q3 15:00 | 11 | 58 | 5:15 | Field goal |
| NE | Q3 9:45 | 3 | 4 | 1:37 | Fumble |
| HOU | Q3 8:08 | 5 | 16 | 2:47 | Fumble |
| NE | Q3 5:21 | 3 | 3 | 1:53 | Punt |
| HOU | Q3 3:28 | 6 | 26 | 1:56 | Field goal |
| NE | Q3 1:32 | 6 | 71 | 3:34 | Touchdown |
| HOU | Q4 12:58 | 3 | 4 | 1:01 | Punt |
| NE | Q4 11:57 | 10 | 44 | 6:09 | Punt |
| HOU | Q4 5:48 | 6 | 7 | 1:45 | Punt |
| NE | Q4 4:03 | 5 | 11 | 2:18 | Punt |
| HOU | Q4 1:45 | 5 | 19 | 0:42 | Downs |
| NE | Q4 1:03 | 2 | -2 | 1:03 | End of game |
About these numbers
The Patriots' interception touchdown is counted as a Texans interception, not as a Patriots possession. Possessions that ended with the clock running out at the half or the end of the game aren't counted.
Personnel groupings, average depth of target and pass rate over expected appear when the tracking feed is connected.
Texans vs Patriots Head-to-Head
The Texans and Patriots first met in 2003 and have played 16 times since.
- All-time series
- 12–4Patriots lead, 16 meetings since 2003
- Postseason
- 3–0Patriots won in 2012, 2016, and 2025
- Largest Texans win
- 41–212024
- Largest Patriots win
- 40–72006
Since 2021
2–1 Patriots lead
3 meetings since the 2021 season, regular season and playoffs.
Oldest to newest. P = Patriots win, T = Texans win, outlined = this game.
Recent Meetings
- 2025 Divisional Round Texans at Patriots, 2025 Divisional Round recap NE 28 HOU 16 NE W
- 2024 Wk 6 Texans at Patriots, 2024 Wk 6 recap HOU 41 NE 21 HOU W
- 2021 Wk 5 Patriots at Texans, 2021 Wk 5 recap NE 25 HOU 22 NE W
Season to Date (Through Week 18)
The 2025 regular season, from each game's box score.
| Texans | Stat | Patriots |
|---|---|---|
| 12-5 | Record | 14-3 |
| 23.8 | Points per game | 28.8 |
| 327.0 | Yards per game | 379.4 |
| 5.1 | Yards per play | 6.2 |
| 17.4 | Points allowed per game | 18.8 |
| 277.2 | Yards allowed per game | 295.2 |
Texans vs Patriots Odds and Results
How this game finished against the betting lines.
- Spread
- NE −3Patriots covered by 9
- Total
- 40.5Over: 44 points scored (by 3.5)
Expected vs Actual Scoring
| Team | Implied | Actual | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Patriots | 21.8 | 28 | +6.3 |
| Texans | 18.8 | 16 | −2.8 |
The Patriots beat their implied total and the Texans fell short of theirs; the Fantasy tab has the player lines behind it.
Betting Trends
Last 2 meetings: Texans 1–1 ATS, overs 2–0.
Each team's 2025 season through this game. Over/under is overs first.
Houston Texans
- Against the spread
- 5–3
- Over/under
- 4–3
- ATS as favorite
- 2–2
- ATS as underdog
- 3–1
- ATS on the road
- 4–1
New England Patriots
- Against the spread
- 6–1
- Over/under
- 6–1
- ATS as favorite
- 5–0
- ATS as underdog
- 1–1
- ATS at home
- 4–1
Lines: ESPN's consensus, captured at kickoff. Individual sportsbooks varied.
21+. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER. Betting availability depends on your state.
Texans and Patriots in Fantasy
The two teams don't meet again this season. If you roster a Texan or a Patriot, these answer the week-to-week question.
- Start/Sit ToolShould your Texans or Patriots player start this week? Compare the decision against your other options.
- Fantasy Football ProjectionsSee the latest weekly and rest-of-season projections for Texans and Patriots players.
- Fantasy Points Allowed by PositionHow the Texans and Patriots defenses have treated QBs, RBs, WRs and TEs.
- Strength of ScheduleWhere each team's remaining games fall in your fantasy playoff run.
- Redraft CommandConnect your league for personalized lineup, trade and roster advice.
Keep Exploring
2025 Game Logs for Players in This Game
Texans vs Patriots Game FAQ
Who won the 2025 Texans vs Patriots Divisional Round game?
The New England Patriots beat the Houston Texans 28–16 in the Divisional Round of the 2025 playoffs. The game was played at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, MA, on January 18, 2026. See the Patriots' 2025 schedule.
What was the final score of Texans vs Patriots?
The final score was Patriots 28, Texans 16. The Patriots led 21–10 at halftime, and the second half went Texans 6, Patriots 7.
What happened in the Texans vs Patriots game?
New England led 21–10 at halftime after a 14-point second quarter and outscored Houston 7–6 after the break to win 28–16. The Patriots finished with a narrow 248–241 edge in total offense and averaged 3.9 yards per play. The Texans committed 5 turnovers, the Patriots 3.
How did the Patriots beat the Texans?
The Patriots beat the Texans 28–16 because they averaged 3.9 yards per play to 3.3, won the turnover battle 5–3, and outgained them 248–241.
Which team won the turnover battle in Texans vs Patriots?
The Patriots won the turnover battle 5–3: the Texans gave the ball away 5 times and the Patriots 3 times. The Patriots won the game.
What is the all-time Texans vs Patriots record?
The Patriots lead the all-time series 12–4 across 16 meetings since 2003, including a 3–0 record in the postseason.
When did the Texans and Patriots last play before this game?
Before the 2025 Divisional Round, they last met in the 2024 season on October 13, 2024, when the Texans beat the Patriots 41–21.
Have the Texans and Patriots met in the playoffs?
Yes, 3 times, most recently in the 2025 playoffs. The Texans are 0–3 against the Patriots in the postseason.
What is the Texans vs Patriots record since 2021?
The Patriots lead 2–1 across 3 meetings since the 2021 season, including this game.
What was the closing spread for Texans vs Patriots?
The consensus closing spread at kickoff was Patriots −3, making the New England Patriots 3-point favorites, with a closing total of 40.5. That implied about 21.8 points for the Patriots and 18.8 for the Texans.
Did Texans vs Patriots go over or under the total?
The game went over. The consensus closing total was 40.5, and the teams combined for 44 points, 3.5 over the number.
Who covered the spread in Texans vs Patriots?
The Patriots covered by 9 against the closing line of Patriots −3. The final margin was 12 points.