What we're watching
• The field narrows: Two more games on Sunday will narrow down the NFL’s Super Bowl contenders to just four teams.
• Patriots have the lead in a wintry game: It’s a showdown between Houston’s unstoppable defense and New England’s talented second-year quarterback Drake Maye. The Texans are struggling on offense and have four interceptions so far, and the Patriots lead 21-13.
• Rams-Bears: The Los Angeles Rams are considered one of the favorites to play in Super Bowl LX but they’re going to have to get through the Bears and a frigid Soldier Field to have a chance to face division rivals Seattle in the conference championship game.
• Live updates: Stick with CNN Sports throughout Sunday’s games for live updates, analysis, news and other fun items like this photo of Wolf Blitzer in a excellent hat.
Texans reduce deficit with field goal to open the second half
So CJ Stroud has played alarmingly below his usual standards and consequently has one half of football to get the Houston Texans back into this and save their season. Can he do it?
He begins the second half well, finding Xavier Hutchinson for a 23-yard gain. It’s almost disaster on the next play as Hutchinson is again gets the reception and fumbles, but the play was reviewed and the rookie wideout was ruled down by contact. Sigh of relief from all associated with Houston.
After three straight completions and a third down conversion. the Texans are down to New England’s 15-yard line. This is exactly the type of drive the Texans needed.
But following a huge pass breakup by Marcus Jones on third-and-short, the Texans are forced into a field goal. Kaʻimi Fairbairn comes out and knocks it through.
A touchdown would’ve been ideal, but it’s points on the board for Houston.
Score: Patriots 21, Texans 13.
The second half is underway
The Texans have received the ball to start the second half, hoping to curb their turnover issues.
Score: Patriots 21, Texans 10
An interception ends a turnover-laden half of football
And that’s halftime.
Will Anderson Jr. is making his presence felt in this game – this time forcing a fumble from Drake Maye before New England recovered well to maintain possession.
The Patriots, however, could not make the most of this final chance before halftime.
Maye launched a last gasp Hail Mary to end the half which was picked off in the end zone by Houston’s Ja’Marcus Ingram.
Despite scoring 21 in the opening half, the Patriots will feel like there is a lot more to come on offense and it may be needed to close this one out.
Score: Patriots 21, Texans 10.
Texans offense is doing absolutely nothing and CJ Stroud is out of sorts
CJ Stroud is back out on the field. His defense just made yet another stop to hold the score at 11.
With less than minute remaining, the Ohio State product begins with two incompletions, which aren’t even close, before scrambling on third down for a short yardage gain.
At least it’s not another turnover. Texans punt away.
Score: Patriots 21, Texans 10.
Patriots punt again as Texans force stop
The New England defense is giving Drake Maye opportunity after opportunity to make something happen, but the Texans defense is keeping their team in this one.
The Patriots fail to capitalize on another interception and Bryce Baringer returns to the field for another punt.
Score: Patriots 21, Texans 10.
Stroud picked for the fourth time! Patriots take over
This playoff matchup has been completely flipped on its head, with the pressure now on Stroud and the Texans’ offense to get back on the board.
And they’re really feeling the weight of it all as we approach halftime, but they’re given some breathing room after drawing a pass interference penalty on New England.
Stroud then finds Jayden Higgins on a 16-yard gain down to the Patriots’ 49. It’s a calming response from Stroud as we head into the two-minute warning.
But coming out of the break, the third-year man is intercepted AGAIN. Yes, you are reading that correctly. The FOURTH pick of the day for Stroud.
He rolls left and the ball is just behind Xavier Hutchinson, as Carlton Davis picks him off.
Patriots ball, again.
Score: Patriots 21, Texans 10.
Touchdown New England! Patriots extend first half lead
The Patriots’ offense has certainly not been firing on all cylinders, but this was much more like it from Drake Maye and New England.
The second-year quarterback found a wide-open Kayshon Boutte for 25 yards to kickstart the drive and then went back to the receiver for another big play to get New England to the seven-yard line.
Maye rode that momentum and fired in an inch-perfect pass to Stefon Diggs in the end zone. The former Texans receiver made a brilliant catch to strengthen New England’s grip on this game.
Score: Patriots 21, Texans 10.
Houston's offense backed up, go three-and-out
It’s déjà vu here in New England, as CJ Stroud takes over once again after Houston’s defense holds strong.
With the offense pinned deep in their own territory, it’s three incompletion from the third-year quarterback and they’re not really close.
Houston’s offense is really struggling here, but at least it’s not another interception.
Score: Patriots 14, Texans 10.
Texans' Schultz ruled out with calf injury
Things are about to get even harder for CJ Stroud and the Texans.
Tight end Dalton Schultz was ruled out with a calf injury after leaving the game in the first quarter.
Score: Patriots 14, Texans 10
Houston's defense putting up a fight
Houston’s offense might be struggling, but the defense is doing its best to give the Texans a chance at Gillette Stadium.
The Texans forced another Patriots punt on the back of some good defensive work – including a big sack courtesy of Will Anderson.
Now can C.J. Stroud and Co. return the favor on offense?
Score: Patriots 14, Texans 10.
Another interception and it's getting ugly for Stroud
So after throwing his second interception of this half, here comes Stroud again. Surely he will be simply be looking to settle back down into the game.
But it’s picked, AGAIN! After moving the chains on the possession’s opening series, Stroud’s pass looking for Xavier Hutchinson is tipped off of his hands and picked off by Craig Woodson.
That one really should’ve been caught, but nonetheless, it’s Pats ball again.
Score: Patriots 14, Texans 10
Stroud is picked, touchdown Patriots!
The turnover show continues! Stroud rolls out on play action and is hit as he’s throwing, the ball flies up in the air and there is Marcus Jones, who strolls into the end zone to take the lead.
The Texans defense has been lock down so far, and they somehow find themselves down four here - astounding!
Score: Patriots 14, Texans 10.
Texans defense holds firm
The home crowd needed something to get them going after Houston took the lead, but the Patriots offense could not deliver.
Strong defense from the Texans forced a third-and-long, where Drake Maye avoided a sack to scramble for a first down.
It wasn’t long before Houston forced another third-and-long but this time the defense got the stop.
Maye looked deep for Kyle Williams but the receiver saw the ball slip through his fingers.
The winter weather is starting to cause problems.
Score: Texans 10, Patriots 7
Texans capitalize on Patriot fumble to take lead
The Texans defense is really making things happen here, and CJ Stroud needs to take advantage against the No. 2 seed.
They close the first quarter with the ball at New England’s 18, and after converting on third-and-short followed by a couple short gains, Stroud find Christian Kirk in the end zone!
Touchdown Texans, and a fantastic response from Houston’s offense.
Score: Texans 10, Patriots 7.
Fumble! Texans force turnover
The Patriots had the chance to rub salt in the wounds of the Houston Texans after the interception on the last drive, but it does not go well for Drake Maye and Co.
Maye looked to run with the ball but Houston’s Tommy Togiai punched the ball from his grip before recovering the fumble.
Houston ball on another turnover in this wintry game.
Score: Patriots 7, Texans 3
Stroud intercepted on poor throw!
CJ Stroud hardly had a chance to rest in that quick Patriots drive, he begins this drive at New England’s 47.
And after a fantastic leaping catch from Jayden Higgins, the Texans move the chains on a fourth-down Nick Chubb carry.
But Stroud is intercepted just a couple of plays later! The third-year man throws off of his back foot and it is picked off by K’Lavon Chaisson!
Drake Maye will take over from his own 18-yard line
Score: Patriots 7, Texans 3.
Texans potentially lose another pass catcher
The injuries are starting to mount up for Houston with tight end Dalton Schultz seen heading to the locker room with an apparent calf injury, according to the ESPN broadcast.
The Texans are already shorthanded with Pro Bowl receiver Nico Collins missing the game with a concussion.
The 29-year-old Schultz was seen pulling up awkwardly and appearing in some discomfort after a CJ Stroud incompletion earlier in the first quarter.
Houston is piling the pressure on the Patriots offense
This Texans defense has come to play after getting burned on the last drive.
Houston forces another punt but it was almost so much more for DeMeco Ryans’ team.
Danielle Hunter got up big to block a Drake Maye pass and came agonizingly close to picking up the loose ball.
Maye certainly has his work cut out today.
Score: Patriots 7, Texans 3
Stroud responds with drive ending in field goal
After moving the chains with a 42-yard catch and run from Dalton Schultz on third-down, Houston found themselves in Patriots territory before converting on third-and-medium to move the sticks down to the Patriots six after a face mask penalty.
Exactly the type of response DeMeco Ryans would’ve been looking for from his quarterback.
But after they have a touchdown taken off the board on third-and-goal due to an illegal shift, Houston is forced into a field goal.
Score: Patriots 7, Texans 3.
Touchdown Patriots! Gutsy decision pays off for New England
After another three-and-out, Drake Maye and the New England offense didn’t have to wait long to get back on the field.
The drive started with a short pass to Rhamondre Stevenson, which ended up going for nine yards.
Drake Maye went straight back to his running back, this time on a run play, and Stevenson got to the edge before finding 20 yards.
The Texans defense then held strong to force a long third down but Maye went to Stefon Diggs to set up a fourth-and-one.
The Patriots opted to stay on the field and Maye found the electric DeMario Douglas who raced into the endzone.
Advantage New England.
Score: Patriots 7, Texans 0
