Patriots return to AFC Championship after forcing 5 Texans turnovers in heavy wintry mix

Fox News Flash top sports headlines are here. Check out what's clicking on FoxNews.com.

The New England Patriots are back.

From 2001 to 2018, 13 AFC Championship Games featured the Pats, including in each of the final eight seasons of that stretch. 

After six seasons without them, New England is back to what feels like home.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM

Marcus Jones (25) of the New England Patriots celebrates after returning an interception for a touchdown against the Houston Texans during the second quarter in the AFC divisional playoff game at Gillette Stadium on Jan. 18, 2026 in Foxborough, Massachusetts.  (Winslow Townson/Getty Images)

Thanks to forcing five turnovers against the Houston Texans, the Pats took home a 28-16 victory in the divisional round on Sunday.

The Patriots were aggressive early, going for it on fourth-and-1 from the Houston 28 in winter weather, and it worked out with a 28-yard touchdown pass to Demario Douglas. The Texans had to settle for a field goal after a rushing touchdown by Woody Marks was called back because of an illegal shift.

Houston took a 10-7 lead with a Christian Kirk touchdown early in the second quarter, and the Texans were in business after forcing a Patriots punt. But the momentum was short-lived after C.J. Stroud threw a pick-six — his second of four interceptions in the first half — to give New England the lead. After a Houston punt, Drake Maye found Stefon Diggs to make it 21-10 with 3:12 to go.

Stefon Diggs of the New England Patriots celebrates with teammates after scoring a touchdown against the Houston Texans during the second quarter in the AFC divisional playoff game at Gillette Stadium on Jan. 18, 2026 in Foxborough, Massachusetts.  (Winslow