So, you're looking for the score from the Patriots game last night. If you’re checking the headlines this Sunday morning, January 18, 2026, you might be scratching your head. Why? Because the New England Patriots didn't actually play a football game last night.
Wait. Don’t close the tab yet.
While the NFL world was buzzing with the Divisional Round triple-header yesterday—specifically the Denver Broncos' wild overtime win against the Buffalo Bills and the Seahawks' absolute demolition of the 49ers—the Patriots were tucked away at home. They were resting. Watching film. Kinda just waiting their turn.
The New England Patriots are scheduled to play the Houston Texans today, Sunday, January 18, at 3:00 PM ET.
Why the confusion about the Patriots game score?
It’s easy to get wires crossed. Yesterday, Saturday, January 17, featured two massive AFC and NFC matchups. Many fans just assume "Playoff Saturday" includes the Pats by default these days, especially with the season they've had under Mike Vrabel.
However, if you saw a "Patriots" score popping up on your ticker last night, you were likely seeing one of two things. First, the UT Tyler Patriots (college basketball) pulled off a crazy 61–60 comeback win against St. Mary’s. That game was a literal heart-stopper, decided by a Sam Phipps free throw with two seconds left on the clock.
Second, the New England Revolution—the Pats' soccer siblings—actually played yesterday afternoon. They kicked off their 2026 preseason with a dominant 6–0 win over Sarasota Paradise. If you saw "New England 6" on a scoreboard, that was the Revs, not Drake Maye and the boys.
What was the score from the patriots game last night in the playoffs?
Technically, the most recent score for the New England Patriots remains their 16–3 victory over the Los Angeles Chargers from the Wild Card round on January 11. That was a defensive masterclass. It was gritty. It was "Vrabel-ball" at its finest.
If you’re looking for the projected score for today’s showdown against C.J. Stroud and the Texans, Vegas has the Patriots as 3.5-point favorites. Most experts are leaning toward a tight, low-scoring affair, something in the neighborhood of 23–20.
Honestly, the stakes couldn't be higher. This is a rematch of a Week 6 game where the Texans handled the Pats 41–21. But this isn't October anymore. Drake Maye has found his rhythm, and the defense is playing lights-out.
Key context for today's matchup
- The Quarterback Factor: Drake Maye finished the regular season 4th in passing yards ($4,394$) and 3rd in touchdowns ($31$). He's the real deal.
- The Injury Bug: Keep an eye on the secondary. Christian Gonzalez left the last game with a head injury. If he’s not 100%, C.J. Stroud is going to test those replacement corners early and often.
- Weather: It’s January in Foxborough. It’s going to be cold, though the forecast looks relatively clear of snow for the 3:00 PM kickoff.
Basically, if you were looking for a final score from Saturday night, you were just a day early. The "real" score everyone in New England is waiting for will be finalized around 6:00 PM tonight at Gillette Stadium.
Patriots vs. Texans: How to stay updated
Since the game isn't over yet, you'll want to tune in to ABC or ESPN at 3:00 PM ET today. If you're stuck at a family dinner or working, the 98.5 FM Sports Hub is the best way to catch the radio call.
The winner of this game moves on to the AFC Championship. Given that the Broncos just knocked out the Bills last night, the road to the Super Bowl is wide open. If the Pats win today, they are one step away from the big dance.
Your game day checklist
Check the inactive list about 90 minutes before kickoff (around 1:30 PM ET). That’s when we’ll know for sure if the defensive starters are cleared to play. Also, keep an eye on the ground game; Rhamondre Stevenson needs to be the engine today to keep the pressure off Maye.
The wait is almost over. By tonight, we'll have a real answer to what the Patriots score is, and hopefully, it’s one that leads to another week of playoff football in New England.
Next Steps for Fans:
Monitor the official New England Patriots Twitter (X) feed or the NFL app starting at 1:30 PM ET for the official "Inactives" list. This will confirm the status of key defensive players like Christian Gonzalez and Carlton Davis before the 3:00 PM kickoff.