ESPN Announces Historic News After Patriots-Texans Game

A Broadcast Moment ESPN Has Never Seen Before

Shortly after the game, Adam Schefter shared the stunning news. ESPN announced that its telecast of the Texans–Patriots matchup became the most-watched event in the network’s history, dating back to its launch in 1979. The game averaged 38 million viewers, a number ESPN had never reached.

It did not stop there. The game also ranked as parent company Disney’s most-watched sporting event outside of the Super Bowl across nearly three decades of live sports coverage on ABC as well as ESPN. For a network that has aired countless playoff games, championships and iconic moments, this one now sits near the top.

Patriots Set the Tone Early

On the field, New England took control early and never fully let go. The Patriots went into halftime with a 21–10 lead, leaning on strong defense and timely offense to separate themselves. Second-year quarterback Drake Maye got the job done, finishing 16-of-27 passing for 179 yards with three touchdowns and one interception. He did not force throws, trusted his reads and made the most of the opportunities given to him.

That steady approach fit perfectly with how the Patriots wanted the game to unfold. They did not need fireworks. They needed composure, efficiency and control, and they got all three.

A Long Day for Houston

For Houston, it was a frustrating afternoon. Quarterback C.J. Stroud threw four interceptions, all in the first half. Each turnover seemed to swing momentum further toward New England, especially when the Patriots were able to turn mistakes into points.

To Stroud’s credit, he kept competing, but the Texans were never able to recover once they fell behind. Against a Patriots team playing with confidence and discipline, the margin for error was thin, and it disappeared quickly.

All Eyes Turn to the AFC Title Game

Now, the focus shifts to what comes next. This Sunday, the Patriots head to Denver to face the Broncos in the AFC title game with a Super Bowl berth on the line. After delivering a convincing win and anchoring the most-watched ESPN broadcast ever, New England is a win away from heading back to the biggest stage in the game.

The game will be remembered for the score, the turnovers and the playoff stakes. But it will also be remembered as the day football fans, almost in unison, tuned in. For ESPN, it was history. For the Patriots, it was another step forward in a postseason run that keeps getting bigger by the week.

Unfortunately, Patriots-Texans was the last live NFL game of the year for ABC and ESPN. The AFC Championship Game will be at 3 p.m. ET Sunday on CBS and Paramount+, while the NFC Championship Game will be at 6:30 p.m. ET Sunday on Fox and the Fox app. NBC and Peacock will broadcast and stream the Super Bowl on Feb. 8.