New England Patriots cornerback Carlton Davis III left their playoff win over the Houston Texans early with a head injury, casting doubt over his chances of playing in the AFC Championship game.
The Patriots are back in the championship game for the first time since 2018 after a 28-16 Divisional round win over the Texans, with the Denver Broncos standing in their way of a place in the Super Bowl.
Yet on a night to savor for the franchise, Davis has provided one of the only negatives after suffering a head injury which ruled him out of Sunday’s game in the fourth quarter.
The 29-year-old, who made two crucial interceptions before sustaining the problem, now faces a race against time to be fit for next weekend’s clash with the Broncos.
Since moving to New England on a three-year, $60million contract in 2025, Davis has become an integral member of the Patriots defense.
In 17 appearances this season he has registered a total of 59 tackles, with Sunday’s pair of interceptions his first of the campaign.
Patriots cornerback Carlton Davis III left their playoff win over the Texans early on Sunday night
Davis, who made two crucial interceptions, is now a doubt for the AFC Championship game
Prior to signing with the Patriots, Davis enjoyed a season with the Detroit Lions after spending the first six years of his NFL career with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who selected him with the 63rd overall pick in the 2018 draft.
New England head coach Mike Vrabel will be desperate for him to recover in time for next week’s AFC Championship game, which takes place in Denver on Sunday afternoon.
Vrabel’s team will still be full of confidence after dispatching of the Texans in their Divisional battle on Sunday night.
Drake Maye threw three touchdown passes and Marcus Jones returned one of CJ Stroud’s four interceptions for a score as they sealed a 28-16 win at Gillette Stadium.
The Patriots will make their 16th conference championship game appearance and first since their run to their sixth Super Bowl title under Bill Belichick in the 2018 season. New England has won its last nine divisional round games.
Maye finished 16 of 27 for 179 yards, but had an interception and fumbled four times, losing two in cold conditions in which snow and rain fell throughout the game. One of Maye’s fumbles set up Houston´s first touchdown.
Patriots News: Drake Maye Addresses Six Fumbles in Last Two Games, Sends ‘Prayers’ to Bo Nix
Drake Maye’s second NFL season has been filled with breakthroughs, and on Sunday, he guided the New England Patriots to a 28–16 victory over the Houston Texans to secure the franchise’s first AFC Championship appearance since 2018. But the snowy afternoon at Gillette Stadium was anything but smooth for the young quarterback.
Facing Houston’s top-ranked defense in blizzard conditions, Maye fumbled four times and threw an interception during a chaotic first half that featured eight combined turnovers. He was fortunate to lose only two of those fumbles, yet the miscues threatened to derail New England’s postseason run. He also had two fumbles against the Chargers last Sunday.
“Yeah, it’s easier when you’re still winning,” Maye said afterward. “I kept reminding the guys we were still ahead on the scoreboard. We made enough plays to come up with a win, and our defense helped us out a lot.”
Heavy snow and a relentless Texans pass rush led by Will Anderson Jr. made ball security a constant challenge. Maye’s first fumble in the opening quarter gave Houston prime field position, and two more followed in the second quarter before his line recovered them. Another strip in the third quarter resulted in his second lost fumble of the day.
By game’s end, Maye had accounted for three official turnovers, two lost fumbles and an interception on a last-second Hail Mary, pushing his season total to 14 fumbles, the highest in the NFL.
Despite the struggles, Maye delivered when it mattered most. He threw three touchdown passes, including a 7-yard strike to Stefon Diggs and a highlight one-handed grab by Kayshon Boutte on a 32-yard dagger that sealed momentum for New England.
The Patriots’ defense intercepted C.J. Stroud four times and forced five turnovers overall, carrying the team through the sloppiest stretches.
New England now heads to Denver to face the Broncos in the AFC Championship Game (Sunday, 3 p.m. ET, CBS). With Bo Nix sidelined, the Patriots are expected to see former Patriot Jarrett Stidham under center.
The QB also addressed Nix’s injury during the post-game presser. “They are great people, great Christians. Obviously, the news—it was heartbreaking for what a player he is, and a guy he is. Just know, praying for Bo,” Maye said about the Broncos QB’s ankle injury.
“I know he’s gonna bounce back,” he added, noting that their previous college matchup brought out the best in him. With Bo Nix missing the action, the odds favor Maye to take the Patriots into the Super Bowl.