The No.2 seed New England Patriots welcome the No. 7 seed Houston Texans to Gillette Stadium in Foxboro on Sunday afternoon for an NFL divisional round playoff game.
Snow is expected to fall during the game, with up to seven inches possible in the area.
The winner of the game, which kicks off at 3 p.m., will advance to play the Denver Broncos in the AFC Championship game next weekend.
The matchup pits Houston’s top-ranked defense against New England’s high-powered offense, led by MVP candidate Drake Maye.
Over the course of 24 years, these two teams have faced off 15 times – 13 times in the regular season and twice in the playoffs. The Patriots have won 9 regular-season encounters and both playoff games.
Follow along below for live updates from Foxboro:
3:52 p.m.
The Patriots now trail the Texans 10-7 after CJ Stroud connects with Christian Kirk on a touchdown pass.
Stroud to Kirk for the TD.
Texans up 10-7 with the extra point
— Michael Raimondi (@mraimonditv) January 18, 2026
3:50 p.m.
The Patriots lead the Texans 7-3 after one quarter of play.
First one down. pic.twitter.com/ci1mhzU0PW
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) January 18, 2026
3:45 p.m.
Texans get the ball right back after forcing a Drake Maye fumble.
Maye has two fumbles lost in the first quarter. Turnovers are a problem early for the #Patriots
Stroud on the other side has an INT and is 6/13
— Michael Raimondi (@mraimonditv) January 18, 2026
MASSIVE‼️
📺 : @nflonespnpic.twitter.com/PCySqj94PD
— Houston Texans (@HoustonTexans) January 18, 2026
3:40 p.m.
Carlton Davis intercepts a CJ Stroud pass, swinging momentum in favor of the Patriots.
.@Carlton_Lowkey comes down with the pick 🍪
📺 ESPN pic.twitter.com/PNzb7vAbqM
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) January 18, 2026
Carlton Davis what a catch for the INT!! pic.twitter.com/7tUGxcFNxA
— Michael Raimondi (@mraimonditv) January 18, 2026
3:39 p.m.
Texans injury news:
.@ShariffLawFirm Texans Injury Update:
#86 TE Dalton Schultz is questionable with a calf injury.
— Houston Texans (@HoustonTexans) January 18, 2026
3:37 p.m.
Patriots injury news:
Spillane is questionable to return with a thumb injury
— Michael Raimondi (@mraimonditv) January 18, 2026
3:33 p.m.
The Patriots were forced to punt after a near fumble.
Still 7-3, Patriots.
Hunter gets through and slaps the ball out of Maye’s hand as he is throwing on third down. Pats recover the fumble inside their 5 and punt.
HOU takes over on the NE side of the 50
— Michael Raimondi (@mraimonditv) January 18, 2026
3:28 p.m.
Texans convert on a short field goal after the Patriots’ defense stands stout on the goal line.
Patriots 7, Texans 3.
After an illegal shift, Patriots hold the Texans on third down. HOU hits a short kick to make it 7-3 Patriots
— Michael Raimondi (@mraimonditv) January 18, 2026
3:20 p.m.
Stroud is struggling so far. Great breakup by Carlton Davis down the sideline on 2nd down.
But Patriots leave the TE Schultz wide open on 3rd down for a big play
— Michael Raimondi (@mraimonditv) January 18, 2026
3:15 p.m.
Patriots go for it on a 4-and-1 play. Drake Maye connects with Demario Douglas for a 28-yard touchdown.
Patriots 7, Texans 0.
START IT UP POP‼️@DrakeMaye2 | @popshotta3
📺 ESPN pic.twitter.com/3cKl5GVEyH
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) January 18, 2026
Pats on 4th and 1 go for it and Maye hits Pop Douglas for the 28-yard TD #Patriots
— Michael Raimondi (@mraimonditv) January 18, 2026
3:09 p.m.
Houston also goes three and out on their opening drive. ESPN broadcast saying the field is very slick.
Both Houston and New England punt after going 3 and out.
Early writing on the wall is a TD would be huge today
— Michael Raimondi (@mraimonditv) January 18, 2026
3:05 p.m.
Nothing doing on the opening drive for the Pats.
Patriots go 3 and out.
Not much there at all for the offense.
— Michael Raimondi (@mraimonditv) January 18, 2026
3 p.m.
The Texans win the coin toss and defer to the Patriots. The Patriots start the game on offense.
#Patriots are getting the ball to start. Texans deferred to the second half
— Michael Raimondi (@mraimonditv) January 18, 2026
2:57 p.m.
Patriots legend Ty Law is the “Keeper of the Light.”
Patriots AND Pro Football Hall of Famer TY LAW 🔔@OfficialTyLaw | @NFLpic.twitter.com/CKmHLbWGBg
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) January 18, 2026
2:56 p.m.
Ready to go.
Getting in that mindset 😤 pic.twitter.com/k0jAvyyUqS
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) January 18, 2026
2:50 p.m.
Ten minutes until kickoff!
Here is a view from the press box. Snow is not sticking as of now. @boston25pic.twitter.com/4NdKsByJ53
— Michael Raimondi (@mraimonditv) January 18, 2026
2:45 p.m.
Boston Bruins legend Zdeno Chara is on hand to support the Patriots.
BIG ZEE 🗣️@NHLBruins | @NHLpic.twitter.com/VPhcFtBmI2
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) January 18, 2026
2:30 p.m.
Both sides hit the field. Kickoff is near.
aura is included 🤩@DrakeMaye2 | @NFLpic.twitter.com/hRRiymXX2e
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) January 18, 2026
HERE THEY COME!!! pic.twitter.com/kk0TIII7Cz
— Houston Texans (@HoustonTexans) January 18, 2026
2:30 p.m.
Zac Efron is in the house!
Hey @ZacEfron 👋 pic.twitter.com/w3yq5qwwaI
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) January 18, 2026
2:20 p.m.
Boston 25’s Michael Raimondi provides a weather update from the field in Foxboro. More from Michael here.
2:15 p.m.
Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel signs autographs for fans ahead of kickoff.
HC ✍️ pic.twitter.com/ld43VhFMMy
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) January 18, 2026
2:10 p.m.
Patriots hit the field for pre-game warmups
LIVE: Patriots Pregame Warm Ups#HOUvsNE | 3:00 PM | ESPN https://t.co/wy0iFtWbns
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) January 18, 2026
2 p.m.
Patriots and Texans announce inactive lists
Patriots inactives for #HOUvsNE. pic.twitter.com/TpOwa7pIvI
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) January 18, 2026
Our inactives for #HOUvsNE ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/QEY4bDe7Kw
— Houston Texans (@HoustonTexans) January 18, 2026
1:54 p.m.
Rally towels for the game today #Patriots@boston25pic.twitter.com/N0QkzjgoOb
— Michael Raimondi (@mraimonditv) January 18, 2026
1:47 p.m.
Snow is starting to fall at Gillette @boston25@tuckerweather@ShiriSpear@KevinBoston25pic.twitter.com/iPmqJgdPAw
— Michael Raimondi (@mraimonditv) January 18, 2026
1:06 p.m.
Wide receiver Stefon Diggs arrives.
Aye eight 🙂↕️ pic.twitter.com/X8QYX4BPPM
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) January 18, 2026
1:06 p.m.
CJ Stroud takes the field.
#Patriots fans here early are chirping Stroud as he takes the field to warm up @boston25#Texanspic.twitter.com/AOlz6DU2W2
— Michael Raimondi (@mraimonditv) January 18, 2026
12:36 p.m.
Defensive tackle Milton Williams arrives at Gillette.
Big dog 😈 pic.twitter.com/sO4YT9IFrU
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) January 18, 2026
12:30 p.m.
Quarterback Drake Maye arrives.
Divisional Round @DrakeMaye2pic.twitter.com/xsf0j3TUua
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) January 18, 2026
12:15 p.m.
Cornerback Christian Gonzalez returns.
11:57 a.m.
Left tackle Will Campbell arrives to Gillette Stadium.
11:30 a.m.
Governor Maura Healey wishes the Patriots good luck, wearing an “I love Drake Maye” shirt.
11:30 a.m.
10:30 a.m.
9:30 a.m.
9:20 a.m.
8:55 a.m.
8 a.m.
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