Patriots vs. Texans live score, updates, highlights from 2026 NFL playoff game

Live scores, updates and highlights for Patriots vs. Texans in the 2026 NFL Playoffs originally appeared on The Sporting News. Click here to add Sports News as your go-to source.

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Entering the 21st century, both the AFC and NFL passed through Foxborough, New England. From the Snow Bowl that ignited a dynasty to the Ice Bowl that turned a sixth-round pick into a global icon, Gillette Stadium has been the NFL’s ultimate proving ground. Now, it will host a clash between two AFC powerhouses, the Houston Texans and New England Patriots, as both teams look to take a step closer to immortality in Super Bowl X.

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Under the heavy shadow of six championship banners and a storied past, the home team Patriots have a real chance to bring a seventh trophy to New England. Led by Drake Maye, New England revitalized the “Patriot Way” with a record-breaking MVP-level performance, reaching the quarterfinals and winning the first AFC East title in the post-Tom Brady era. But to truly carve out a spot with his former franchise, Meyer must withstand football’s toughest test: the Houston Texans and the NFL’s No. 1 defense.

The Texans have been the hottest team in football since hitting rock bottom in November when they fell to 3-5 and lost quarterback C.J. Stroud to a concussion. DeMeco Ryans’ team is riding a white-hot 10-game winning streak and has a defensive unit that leads the league in just about every meaningful way. In the wild-card game, this defense not only held its own, it made a difference. It took over the game, scoring two touchdowns of its own while holding Aaron Rodgers and Mike Tomlin’s Steelers to a meager six points in a dominant slugfest. Now, Houston heads to Foxborough hoping to break the glass ceiling and advance to the inaugural AFC Championship Game.

Sunday’s story comes full circle. A year ago, Meyer made his first NFL start against this Houston team, a day filled with rookie mistakes and a 20-point blowout. But this time the quarterback stepping onto the field is no longer a hope. He was a superstar, a 4,500-yard passer who led a comeback. Across from him, DeMeco Ryans established an immovable object — a Texans front led by Will Anderson Jr. and Danielle Hunter that thrived on turning stars into cautionary tales.

Sporting News is tracking live scores, updates and highlights as the Patriots host the Texans in the divisional round. Follow us to see all the action in Foxborough.

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Patriots vs. Texans Score

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Highlights from the 2026 NFL Divisional Playoffs Patriots vs. Texans

All times are Eastern Time.

Patriots 7, Texans 0

Landing at 3:14 PM: Since Stevenson’s run, Houston’s defense forced two tackles and ultimately lost the game on third down and 14th down.

The Patriots scored near the foul line, though, when Meyer hit Diggs up the middle for 13 yards. On 4th and 1, Mike Vrabel elected to go on offense.

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This is the right move. Meyer threw a bullet to Demario Douglas, who escaped his tackler and carried the ball all the way to the end zone. It was a 28-yard score and the Patriots drew first blood.

It was a six-play, 66-yard drive where Vrabel’s decision paid off,

3:11 pm: New England had a big drive to start the drive, setting up its second short drive with a nine-yard pass from Rhamondre Stevenson.

On the next play, the defender took his second possession of the game and bounced the ball to the right, marching 20 yards to the Houston 37.

The Patriots are threatening.

3:08 pm: Houston had a chance to drive forward when Stroud found an open Christian Kirk, but the receiver passed up the chance.

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Kirk had an eight-catch, 144-yard performance in the last game against the Steelers, but he can’t get here. Just like the Patriots, the Texans were three-and-out.

Meyer and the Patriots offense took over again.

3:05 pm: The Patriots started the game with a three-and-out. Diggs’ screen pass went just a few yards but didn’t reach the target line.

The Texans defense picked up right where it left off, forcing a punt. CJ Stroud and the Texans offense got their first drive of the game.

3:03 pm: Houston has started and we’ll officially start in New England.

Derek Meyer and the Patriots offense have the ball first.

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3:01 pm: We have set out from Foxborough.

Will it be the Texans or the Pats moving on?

2:48 pm: In snowy New England, kickoff is just around the corner. The winner will advance to the AFC Championship Game to face the Denver Broncos.

If the Patriots win, they will tie the San Francisco 49ers for the most playoff wins in NFL history, while a Texans victory would mark their first AFC Championship in franchise history.

2:42 pm: Jason Kelce, who has played in countless cold playoff games during his career, asked tough questions on ESPN’s halftime show.

2:35pm: No matter how cold the weather gets, the Houston Texans defense is sure to bring the heat.

2:25pm: There’s snow in New England!

2:18 pm: Mike Vrabel led a turnaround in his first year as head coach, leading the Patriots to a 14-3 record.

Vrabel is likely to be the NFL’s Coach of the Year. But for now, he’s worried about being able to lead New England to its first Super Bowl title since 2018.

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2:12pm: New England’s kickoff is getting closer.

2:00 pm: MVP candidate Meyer made an appearance on the field, much to the delight of the fans.

1:46 PM: Stefon Diggs spent the 2024-25 season with the Texans but was lost for the season due to a torn ACL.

Today, he faced his old club for the first time.

1:30 pm: New England and Houston posted inactive messages ahead of Sunday’s game.

The biggest name on the roster is Houston’s superstar receiver Nico Collins, who is out with a concussion.

New England, on the other hand, is mostly healthy.

1:27pm: Stroud took the field in freezing New England.

1:05 pm: Of course, Meyer deserves a lot of talk, but don’t forget about C.J. Stroud.

Stroud is one of only quarterbacks in NFL history to win a playoff game in three seasons. However, he committed three turnovers in the wild-card win over Pittsburgh.

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12:39 pm: The Houston Texans also arrived ahead of their divisional round games. With a ten-game winning streak and the league’s No. 1 defense, many thought Houston might be the last team standing.

12:36 pm: Derek Meyer has arrived at Gillette Stadium.

No story is more important these days than an MVP candidate facing the NFL’s No. 1 defense.

More 2026 NFL Playoffs:

Where to watch Patriots vs. Texans game

Patriots vs. Texans start time

• time: 3 p.m. Eastern Time, noon Pacific Time

The Texans and Patriots will begin the NFL divisional round on Sunday as the first of two high-stakes matchups.

Kickoff will take place at 3:00 PM ET at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts, where snow is expected to be a major factor in this AFC contest.

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What channel is today’s Patriots vs. Texans game on?

The Texans-Patriots game will be televised nationally on ESPN and ABC. “Monday Night Football” creators Joe Buck (play-by-play) and Troy Aikman (color analyst) will be in the booth, while Lisa Salters and Laura Rutledge will report from the sidelines.

Fans who wish to watch the game live can do so on Fubo, which offers a free trial to new subscribers, or through the ESPN+ app.

2026 NFL Playoff Schedule

wild card round

Saturday, January 10

Sunday, January 11

Monday, January 12

divisional round

Saturday, January 17

Sunday, January 18

conference tournament

Sunday, January 25

Super Bowl LX

Sunday, February 8