NFL, American Football Herren, USA 2024: Texans vs Patriots OCT 13 October 13, 2024 Foxborough, MA, USA New England Patriots tight end Hunter Henry 85 and Houston Texans defensive end Dylan Horton 92 in action during the NFL game between Houston Texans and New England Patriots in Foxborough, MA. Anthony Nesmith/CSM Credit Image: Anthony Nesmith/Cal Media Foxborough Massachusetts United States EDITORIAL USE ONLY Copyright: xx ZUMA-20241013_zma_c04_278.jpg AnthonyxNesmithx csmphotothree306971
NFL, American Football Herren, USA 2024: Texans vs Patriots OCT 13 October 13, 2024 Foxborough, MA, USA New England Patriots tight end Hunter Henry 85 and Houston Texans defensive end Dylan Horton 92 in action during the NFL game between Houston Texans and New England Patriots in Foxborough, MA. Anthony Nesmith/CSM Credit Image: Anthony Nesmith/Cal Media Foxborough Massachusetts United States EDITORIAL USE ONLY Copyright: xx ZUMA-20241013_zma_c04_278.jpg AnthonyxNesmithx csmphotothree306971
Jan 18, 2026, 10:38 PM CUT
Major Outrage Against NFL Officials After Controversial Decision Costs Texans Important Points
The divisional playoff game between the Texans and the Patriots got a controversial twist as officials wiped a Houston touchdown off the board. It was a decision that didn't sit well with everyone watching.
With 5 minutes left on the clock in the first quarter, the Patriots were up by 7 points. Drake Maye started with a bang, exploding for a 28-yard touchdown to DeMario Douglas.
Houston fought back on the very next drive with a touchdown, or so they thought. However, the referee nullified Woody Marks’ score by enforcing a five-yard penalty for illegal shift. As a result, the Texans only had to settle for a field goal.
Houston fans immediately voiced their displeasure with the call. Some stated that the referee "s******" C.J. Stroud and company and stripped them of a clear touchdown. Other fans deemed it a “fake flag,” implying that New England was being heavily favoured on JimbosJukebox's X post.
Jan 18, 2026 Foxborough, MA, USA Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud 7 throws a pass during the first half of the AFC divisional playoff round against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium, in Foxborough, Massachusetts. /CSM Foxborough USA - ZUMAc04_ 20260118_faf_c04_026 Copyright: xEricxCanhax
Jan 18, 2026 Foxborough, MA, USA Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud 7 throws a pass during the first half of the AFC divisional playoff round against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium, in Foxborough, Massachusetts. /CSM Foxborough USA - ZUMAc04_ 20260118_faf_c04_026 Copyright: xEricxCanhax
There were even some serious allegations against the Patriots that they needed an easy schedule and referees' help to win the Super Bowl. While some fans said the illegal shift wasn't even that bad for the ref to give a penalty.
The controversial call now looms over the remainder of the game
What else happened in the Texans vs. Patriots game till halftime?
New England opened the scoring after DeMario Douglas took a 28-yard pass to the end zone (Q1, 9:35 remaining).
After the controversial call, Stroud threw an interception (Q1, 1:44 remaining), compounding the team's problems.
In the second quarter, the young quarterback threw three interceptions. The Patriots managed to convert it into a 26-yard touchdown, thanks to Marcus Jones.
New England finished the first half strong, with Maye scoring another touchdown at 3:12. Stefon Diggs’ 7-yard touchdown swung the scoreline heavily in favour of the Patriots, with 21-10.
Written by
Kalp Thaker
Edited by
Sagnik Bagchi