Kayshon Boutte scored a spectacular one-handed touchdown in the fourth quarter as the New England Patriots finally broke the Houston Texans’ resistance to reach the NFL’s Final Four with a 28-16 victory on Sunday.
Quarterback CJ Stroud threw four interceptions in a flawed game that saw the Texans stay alive thanks to their No. 1-ranked defense, which limited New England to just seven points off their five total turnovers.
The Patriots now travel to face the Denver Broncos in next Sunday’s AFC Championship Game, where Sean Payton’s team will be led by Jarrett Stidham at quarterback after Bo Nix broke his ankle during their divisional-round win over the Buffalo Bills.
Patriots second-year quarterback and MVP contender Drake Maye finished 16 of 27 for 179 yards, three touchdowns, one interception and four fumbles as he was harassed all night by Houston’s pass rush.
Will Anderson starred for DeMeco Ryans’ side with three sacks, two tackles for loss and a quarterback hit, but it would be New England’s defense that left a decisive mark to ignite Stroud’s catalog of mistakes and end Houston’s 10-game winning streak.
Heads of State:
Texans
- Passed: CJ Stroud, 20/47, 212 yards, 1 TD, 4 INTs
- Urgent: Woody Marks, 14 carries, 17 yards
- Recipient: Jayden Higgins, 6 catches, 59 yards
Patriots
- Passed: Drake Maye, 16/27, 179 yards, 3 TDs, 1 INT
- Urgent: Rhamondre Stevenson, 16 carries, 70 yards
- Recipient: Kayshon Boutte, 3 catches, 75 yards, 1 TD
It would take something spectacular to break the spirit and ferocity of Houston’s defense. It would take something spectacular to beat Derek Stingley Jr in coverage. New England called up Boutte.
With 12:58 left to play, the Patriots wide receiver bought himself less than a yard of separation on an outside release vertical route, tracking Maye’s deep shot over his shoulder before extending his right hand to make a stunning one-handed 32-yard touchdown catch as he hit the turf next to the end zone. It turned out to be quite a knockout blow.
Turnovers and defense had dictated a frantic first half, with Stroud coughing up his four interceptions while Maye lost one of three fumbles as the Patriots took a 21-10 lead into halftime.
Maye surrendered his fourth fumble of the game in the third quarter when he was strip-sacked by Anderson on third-and-six after KaÊ»imi Fairbairn’s 25-yard field goal cut New England’s lead.
Further fumble chaos ensued when Texans running back Woody Marks lost both his shoe and the ball, which was knocked out by Christian Gonzalez. But not for the first time, Houston’s defense was ready to play savior, forcing a punt as the Patriots again failed to convert a turnover into points.
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CJ Stroud is sacked on first down and his looping throw is picked off by Marcus Jones who runs in for a great Patriots touchdown
Marcus Jones scored a 26-yard pick-six to give New England a 14-10 advantage in the second quarter after Stroud’s blind pass looped into the sky under a bruising hit by K’Lavon Chaisson. Stroud was then intercepted on the very next possession when his pass ricocheted off Xavier Hutchinson’s palms and into Craig Woodson’s.
Stefon Diggs and his suction hands held on well for a seven-yard touchdown with three minutes left in the half before Stroud’s ensuing possession ended with another pick of the game by Carlton Davis.
Davis’ first had arrived in the opening quarter when Stroud missed Christian Kirk on a wild throw to the sideline, inviting the Patriots defensive back to make a sliding catch as he smartly pulled his knee as he tumbled out of bounds.
The Patriots were unable to capitalize as Tommy Togiai dislodged the ball from the hands of the scrambling Maye before recovering to set up the drive that culminated in Kirk’s 10-yard touchdown catch for a 10-7 lead.
DeMario Douglas broke free for a 28-yard catch-and-run on fourth-and-one to open the scoring for New England on their second drive of the game.
Fairbairn was three of three on field goals for Houston, which lost tight end Dalton Schultz to injury when he entered the game without Nico Collins due to a concussion.
Douglas: I love Vrabel
The victory continues an impressive first season for the Patriots under head coach Mike Vrabel, who has led the franchise with which he won three Super Bowls as a player back into contention.
“He’s a player’s coach,” wide receiver Douglas told Sky Sports NFL. “I heard a lot of things outside of this team with people who have worked with him and they said ‘you’re going to love him,’ and I do. He knows what it takes to be in this position.
“I feel blessed. My last two years have not been too good, but to be in this position is a blessing.
“It’s amazing, I’ve never heard this stadium so loud. It helped us come out with this win.
“We keep building, the road warrior has to go out again.”
Douglas also praised quarterback Maye, who is now just one game away from reaching the Super Bowl after establishing himself as a long-term answer under center in the post-Tom Brady era at Foxboro.
“That’s my boy,” said Douglas. “Since he came, he’s always had the energy and the good spirit that the team needs. He’s grown and this year you see the leadership and the confidence he’s got and I love what he’s putting out.”
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