Houston's Super Bowl run comes to an end as they were defeated by New England 28-16

After a nightmare of a game against the Steelers where the Texans' defense came alive in the second half, Hoston wanted to limit turnovers against the Patriots. Prior to the game, Houston said that they will be a little bit more creative with their play calling since they would be without their star WR Nico Collins, who was not in the line-up due to concussion protocol. Let's take you inside the game.

The weather was a key factor in this game. You could see that a lot of players were trying to find their grip on the sleek wet surface of the ground. CJ Stroud had a couple of throws that got away from him that he usually makes. Late in the first quarter, the Texans got in a grove with a 10 play-65-yard drive, which resulted in a 25-yard boot to cut the Pats' lead to four, 7-3. Before we move on, an illegal shift took off a touchdown for the Texans ad that is why they had to settle for a field goal. Things took a huge turn for the worst for Houston's second option Dalton Schultz left the field with a calf injury and did not return for the remainder of the game.

Without Schultz being in the game that meant other players needed to step up. After the Texans' defense forced a turnover, Stroud turned that turnover into points, hitting Christian Kirk for a seven-yard touchdown to take their first lead of the day. After the touchdown, you could see the relief in Stroud's face which was a bright sign that his confidence was not diminish after New England picked him off before their defense stepped up to the bat.

You would think that Stroud would be a bit more careful with reading double coverage and taking what New England was giving him, but that was not the case. Attempting to get out of New England's grasp, Stroud threw a miracle ball in the air, which was taken by the Pats for a pick six, luncheon at the crib to retake the lead.

Heading into break, Hoston wanted to give Stroud some type of confidence after throwing four picks in the first half. They told Stroud to take it play by play. "You do not have to have it in one shot." Take what the defense will give you and the team has your back." Despite everything, the Texans was still in the game down by 11.

I think the confidence that the Texans gave Stroud helped him at the start of the second half. He came out the gate with a bit more intention. Instead of forcing the ball down the field, Stroud checked the ball to the flat as well as let Nick Chubb do his thing. Chubb touched the ball five times in the drive, which ended in a field goal to cut the lead to a one possession game, 21-13.

Late in the second half, the weather became a huge factor for both teams. The snow was pouring down, making the ball sticky and hard to hold onto. Both teams had a couple of fumbles, which really did not dissolve into points. It seemed like momentum was shifting to the Texans' sideline with each defensive stand.

Down by 12, Stroud attempted to will his team down the field for some points, but all of the injuries caught up with them, and they could not move the ball against the Pats. New England chewed up the clock as they ran the ball down the throats of Houstin and went on to win and advance to the AFC Championship game.

Stroud finished 18 out 42 for 193 yards and 1 td