This man makes the New England Patriots dream

The New England Patriots are in an NFL conference final for the first time since their last Super Bowl victory with Tom Brady as quarterback.

19 January 2026

From: dpa/det

The Boston-area football team defeated the Houston Texans 28-16 in a game marred by snow, rain, and turnovers, and now has its first chance to reach the Super Bowl in seven years. To do so, the team must win against the Denver Broncos next Sunday.

“I’m proud of the guys. We beat the odds,” said quarterback Drake Maye, who, as Brady’s successor, has transformed the Patriots, long accustomed to success, back into title contenders in his second NFL season. Under Brady, the team reached the Super Bowl nine times between 2002 and 2019, winning six. However, since their victory against the Los Angeles Rams in Super Bowl LIII, the Patriots, under quarterbacks Cam Newton and Mac Jones, had at best reached the first round of the playoffs or failed to qualify altogether.

Ball losses on both sides characterize the duel.

In adverse conditions at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough – the rain of the first half turned into heavy snowfall in the second – both teams suffered numerous turnovers. The Texans, and especially quarterback CJ Stroud, with four turnovers, made life difficult for themselves in the first half. Maye also had the ball stolen several times, but the Patriots always looked like the team controlling the game and their opponents. "It's easier when you're ahead. We did enough right to win," said Maye. Only the Texans' strong defense kept the game close and exciting.

The Texans' loss could spell the end of Stuttgart native Jakob Johnson's career. The fullback didn't see any playing time in the playoffs and had recently left open the question of whether he would pursue an eighth season in the NFL. He wanted to make the decision in the spring after some time had passed. He began his career as a professional with the Patriots.

Keywords American football