Texans vs. Patriots Live Updates, Score: NE Leading in AFC Divisional Round

The NFL playoffs continue Sunday afternoon with the No. 2 seed New England Patriots (14-3) hosting the No. 5 seed Houston Texans (12-5) at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts. Who advances to Denver for next week’s AFC Championship Game? That’s what’s on the line today, with the added incentive of knowing the Broncos will be without injured quarterback Bo Nix next week.

Sunday’s matchup features two of the league’s best defenses. Houston has allowed the NFL’s fewest yards and second-fewest points, while the Patriots are eighth and fourth in the same rankings. Biggest difference? The Texans had 29 takeaways in the regular season, third-most, while the Patriots had only 19, ranking 19th.

These two franchises have wildly different playoff histories. Houston is 0-6 in the division round, so a win today would mark the franchise’s first conference championship game appearance. Plus, the Texans haven’t lost in more than two months, winning 10 straight. New England made it eight years in a row from 2011-18 in the Tom Brady heyday, but they haven’t been since, so this is a chance to get back to their best. 

Houston’s C.J. Stroud and New England’s Drake Maye both see an AFC playoff picture missing all the usual obstacles. It’s just Broncos backup Jarrett Stidham, who hasn’t thrown a pass in more than two years, standing between today’s winner and a Super Bowl berth. Who can take advantage of the clear path ahead of them? We find out today.

Here are the highlights, with live analysis from FOX Sports’ Greg Auman.