Getty Drake Maye smiles on the Patriots sideline. The New England Patriots proved that, six years after losing legendary quarterback Tom Brady , they are Super Bowl contenders once again, defeating the Houston Texans — who led the NFL in defense during the regular season allowing just 4,713 yards — 28-16 to move on to the AFC Championship game. The win puts the Patriots just one win away from a return to the Super Bowl, just a year removed from back-to-back four-win seasons. The AFC