Category: Sport

For the first time since 2007, Mike Tomlin is not the head coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Tomlin announced his resignation from the Steelers on Tuesday, a day after a playoff loss to the Houston Texans, marking the end of an era in Pittsburgh and for the NFL.

Advertisement

From a Super Bowl win to his unprecedented run without a losing record to his late-career struggles in the postseason, Mike Tomlin’s legacy with the Steelers and the NFL is vast. Here’s a look at some of the numbers that define Tomlin’s time as Pittsburgh’s head coach.

0

Times Tomlin posted a losing season in his 19 years as Steelers head coach. This standard of excellence stands above all else as Tomlin’s legacy as he successfully stewarded one of the NFL’s marquee franchises.

.400

Postseason win percentage for the Steelers under Tomlin in 20 playoff games. Tomlin’s early career postseason success with Ben Roethlisberger accounted for five of his eight playoff wins as the Steelers made the Super Bowl twice and won it once in a span from 2007-10. The Steelers have won three times in 13 playoff games since.

Advertisement

.628

Regular-season winning percentage for the Steelers under Tomlin. For NFL coaches with at least five years of experience, that’s the 24th best win rate of all time. Among coaches with 10-plus seasons on the job, Tomlin’s win rate ranks 14th.

1

Regular-season game that Tomlin coached out of 309 in which the Steelers were already eliminated from the playoffs. That was their 2012 season finale against the Browns. In every other season under Tomlin, the Steelers went into their season finale with a shot at making the postseason.

1

Super Bowl win for the Steelers under Tomlin in two appearances.

Advertisement

3

Head coaches since 1968 whom the Steelers have hired. Pittsburgh fired Bill Austin on Dec. 17, 1968 after three seasons produced an 11-28-3 record. Since then, Chuck Noll, Bill Cowher and now Tomlin have left the job on their own terms, a rarity in the modern NFL or any era.

5

Consecutive double-digit playoff losses for the Steelers under Tomlin. The Steelers were always playoff contenders with Tomlin as head coach. But once they got to the postseason, they weren’t competitive toward the end of his tenure.

5

Months before the launch of the iPhone when Tomlin joined the Steelers. Pittsburgh hired the then-Vikings defensive coordinator on Jan. 22, 2007. Steve Jobs had introduced the iPhone to the public during a presentation two weeks earlier. But the first iPhone didn’t hit the market until June 29 of that year.

Advertisement

6

Different quarterbacks to start in Pittsburgh since Roethlisberger retired after the 2021 season. The hardest path to a Super Bowl is the one that doesn’t feature a franchise quarterback. Between Kenny Pickett, Mitchell Trubisky, Mason Rudolph, Russell Wilson, Justin Fields and a 42-year-old Aaron Rodgers, none of them resembled anything close to a franchise quarterback.

[More on the Steelers: Pittsburgh team feed]

7

Consecutive playoff losses for the Steelers under Tomlin. That’s the longest streak by a Super Bowl-winning coach in NFL history.

8

AFC North titles for the Steelers in Tomlin’s 19 seasons. That’s more than any other team during Tomlin’s tenure. The Ravens won six AFC North titles during Tomlin’s watch, and the Bengals won five. The Browns haven’t won a division title since the formation of the AFC North in 2002 and last won a division title in 1989 when it was the AFC Central. Three of Tomlin’s AFC North titles came in his first four seasons.

Advertisement

9

Consecutive seasons that the Steelers didn’t win a playoff game with Tomlin before his resignation on Tuesday. That’s the third-longest such streak by a head coach with a single team in the Super Bowl Era. Former Bengals coach Marvin Lewis (16 seasons, 2003-18) and former Saints coach Jim Mora (11 seasons, 1986-96) had longer streaks.

10

Losses for Tomlin’s Steelers in 13 games against Bill Belichick and the New England Patriots. Like most coaches of his era, Tomlin struggled in head-to-head matchups against Belichick. The most stinging loss of the series was a 36-17 defeat to the Patriots in the AFC championship game following the 2016 season.

Advertisement

13

Times in 18 seasons that Tomlin led the Steelers to the playoffs.

16

Seasons since Tomlin led the Steelers to their last Super Bowl appearance after the 2010 season. Pittsburgh lost to Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers that day, and the Steelers have made it past the divisional round of the playoff just once since — that AFC championship game loss to the Patriots.

36

Tomlin’s age when he was the youngest coach in NFL history to win a Super Bowl. He was 36 years and 323 days old, to be precise, when the Steelers beat the Cardinals in Super Bowl XLIII in 2009. Sean McVay has since claimed that crown when he led the the Los Angeles Rams to victory over Cincinnati Bengals in LVI at 36 years and 20 days old.

Advertisement

6,933

Days since Tomlin wasn’t the head coach of the Steelers.

20,857

Days since the Steelers had a head coach who wasn’t named Noll, Cowher or Tomlin. That was Austin on Dec. 17, 1968, the day they fired him.

100,000

Tomlin’s fine, in dollars, for stepping in front of Ravens kick returner Jacoby Jones near the sideline during a Thanksgiving game in 2013. Tomlin didn’t trip Jones, but he stuck his foot on the field of play in front of Jones, which appeared to force Jones to change his path, potentially preventing a touchdown.

Tomlin, who had his back to Jones during the kickoff return, said years later on a podcast that the incident was not intentional and that he was disoriented from watching the return on the video board.

“I didn’t realize I was in danger until I saw myself on the Jumbotron,” Tomlin said. “I dodged Jacoby because I saw myself. I never saw him.”

Subscribe to The Big Number

Tom Haberstroh and Dan Devine discuss Jaylen Brown’s $35,000 fine after calling out the NBA refs, break down how the lack of foul shots is impacting the league in the new year and ask what can be done to end the scoring drought.

Advertisement

Next, they dive into the latest NBA trade deadline rumor mill news. The duo breaks down Rich Paul’s comments surrounding a potential Austin Reaves trade and gives their thoughts on the best fit for Ja Morant.

Later, they react to Giannis being booed by his home crowd. Should the Bucks trade Giannis for Jalen Johnson? Plus, they discuss Anthony Davis not undergoing surgery for his hand injury and confirm he is back on the trade block. Where would he fit best?

1:12 – The Big Number: $35,000 – Jaylen Brown’s fine for criticizing refs

3:50 – NBA scoring drought: What’s causing the slump?

15:57 – The Little Numbers: 77 – 3-shot fouls called since January 1st

Advertisement

22:11 – The Little Numbers: 12 – teams with at least 17% of total points from free throws

26:43 – The Little Numbers: 3.4% – OKC’s FTA rate increase in the new year

30:49 – Latest with the trade deadline

32:41 – What’s next for Ja Morant?

37:37 – Anthony Davis back on the trade block

47:10 – Giannis gets booed by home crowd

🖥️ Watch this full episode on the Yahoo Sports NBA YouTube channel

Check out the rest of the Yahoo Sports podcast family at https://apple.co/3zEuTQj or at yahoosports.tv

Subscribe to Inside Coverage

Who will get a seat in the NFL’s game of head coach musical chairs this offseason? Yahoo Sports’ Andrew Siciliano and Jori Epstein predict what coaches will land at all nine openings and why they should go there. Plus, Andrew sits down with Los Angeles Rams safety Quentin Lake to discuss the firing of Mike Tomlin as well as the upcoming playoff matchup at Chicago. Andrew also talks to Jacksonville Jaguars legend Maurice Jones-Drew to get his opinions on the head coach hiring cycle.

Advertisement

(5:15) – Dante Moore returns to Oregon

(10:20) – Head coach matchmaker

(29:50) – Maurice Jones Drew joins the show

(53:50) – Rams DB Quentin Lake joins the show

(1:09:50) – One More Thing

🖥️ Watch this full episode on YouTube

Check out the rest of the Yahoo Sports podcast family at https://apple.co/3zEuTQj or at Yahoo Sports Podcasts

Dallas Mavericks rookie Cooper Flagg left the team’s loss to the Denver Nuggets on Wednesday with a sprained left ankle.

Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd said Flagg initially hurt his left foot during Monday’s victory over the Brooklyn Nets then landed awkwardly on it with 6:01 remaining in the second quarter against the Nuggets. Flagg grabbed the ankle for a few moments while grimacing in pain.

Advertisement

Flagg returned later in the second quarter but was clearly struggling with the injury. He did not play in the second half and did not return to the bench.

“He stepped on someone’s foot and so I think last game he twisted his ankle, too,” Kidd told reporters after the game. “So they decided to hold him for the second half.”

Mavericks center Daniel Gafford also left with an ankle injury. The Nuggets beat the Mavs 118-109.

Flagg has lived up to his status as the No. 1 pick in the NBA Draft, averaging 19.1 points, 6.4 rebounds and 4.3 assists. Despite the Mavericks’ struggles, he is the favorite for this season’s Rookie of the Year award.

 

Subscribe to The Cooligans

Christian Polanco and Alexis Guerreros break down the latest soccer headlines, starting with reports that USMNT striker Josh Sargent could be headed back to MLS with Toronto FC. Is it a smart career move or a major step backward for the American forward? The guys also react to rumors linking Timo Werner to the San Jose Earthquakes and debate whether the club made a massive mistake by failing to keep star winger Cristian Espinoza. Plus, with Chucky Lozano’s exit from San Diego seemingly inevitable, they discuss who the club should target as his replacement.

Advertisement

Former Premier League defender Anton Ferdinand then joins the show to preview the West Ham vs. Tottenham derby and relive his legendary stoppage-time equalizer against Spurs in 2005. They also chat West Ham’s tough season so far and how the club can push forward to avoid relegation.

Finally, the guys debate whether Real Madrid made a massive mistake by firing Xabi Alonso and what it means for the club’s future. Christian and Alexis wrap things up with their AFCON Final predictions as Senegal and Morocco prepare to battle for continental glory.

Timestamps:

(6:45) – Josh Sargent heading back to MLS? Smart move or disaster?

Advertisement

(17:30) – Timo Werner is headed to San Jose: redemption tour or flop?

(30:15) – Chucky Lozano is leaving San Diego – who will replace him?

(37:15) – Anton Ferdinand joins The Cooligans

(57:00) – Xabi Alonso now Real Madrid’s biggest enemy?

(1:10:00) – AFCON Final Predictions

🖥️ Watch this full episode on YouTube

Check out the rest of the Yahoo Sports podcast family at https://apple.co/3zEuTQj or at yahoosports.tv

Subscribe to Yahoo Fantasy Forecast

Divisional round weekend is right around the corner and we have Matt Harmon and Joel Smyth here to get you ready. The two preview each game and provide their favorite matchups and prop bets along the way. Smyth also shares his favorite DFS lineup for Divisional weekend.

Advertisement

(5:00) #6 Bills @ #1 Broncos

(21:50) #6 49ers @ #1 Seahawks

(37:35) #5 Texans @ #2 Patriots

(49:00) #5 Rams @ #2 Bears

(1:01:50) Joel’s Divisional Round DFS Lineup

🖥️ Watch this full episode on YouTube

Check out the rest of the Yahoo Sports podcast family at https://apple.co/3zEuTQj or yahoosports.tv

Subscribe to Baseball Bar-B-Cast

The Los Angeles Dodgers did it again. The defending back-to-back World Series champions have had yet another big-time offseason. After adding star closer Edwin Díaz, they went out on Thursday night and brought top free-agent outfielder Kyle Tucker into their already star-studded lineup, solidifying them even more as the Evil Empire of baseball.

Advertisement

On this episode of Baseball Bar-B-Cast, Jake Mintz and Jordan Shusterman talk about the shocking—at least to some—move of Los Angeles once again bolstering their roster as they look for the first three-peat in baseball since the New York Yankees’ 1990s dynasty. With the Tucker deal coming in at four years, $240 million, should Commissioner Rob Manfred start to worry about the perception the Dodgers are giving off to opposing fans with their free agent spending?

Later, Jordan and Jake discuss the Boston Red Sox adding one of the big-arm free agents, Ranger Suárez, to their already crowded starting pitching depth chart and why he will be an interesting fit in their rotation. They then get into the Yankees trading for Ryan Weathers and the Arizona Diamondbacks acquiring Nolan Arenado from the St. Louis Cardinals before giving an update on Team USA’s newest roster additions. The guys close the show by making their picks for this week’s edition of The Good, The Bad, and The Uggla.

1:39 – The Opener: Kyle Tucker to the Dodgers

20:36 – Red Sox sign Ranger Suárez

Advertisement

43:29 – Scott Boras Scoreboard update

46:10 – Around the League: Trade news

1:01:48 – Team USA roster update

1:08:09 – The Good, The Bad & The Uggla

🖥️ Watch this full episode on YouTube

Check out the rest of the Yahoo Sports podcast family at https://apple.co/3zEuTQj or at yahoosports.tv

Guess who.

The big, bad Los Angeles Dodgers, fresh off back-to-back World Series titles, have struck again, flexing their unparalleled financial might with a signing that has once again rattled the baseball world: four years, $240 million for outfielder Kyle Tucker, the consensus top free agent in this year’s class.

Advertisement

The Dodgers swooping in to land Tucker comes toward the end of a week filled with reports indicating that Tucker was likely choosing between the Blue Jays and Mets, with Toronto willing to offer a longer-term contract and New York proposing a sky-high salary on a shorter-term deal. It had been understood that the Dodgers, too, had expressed interest in Tucker on a short-term, high-AAV deal, but it was unclear the lengths Los Angeles was willing to go to win the bidding war. As such, when reports surfaced that the Mets offered Tucker $50 million per year, that felt like the kind of deal that would test Toronto’s long-presumed status as the favorite to sign Tucker.

As it turned out, the Dodgers were prepared — and apparently seriously motivated — to outdo New York’s humongous, short-term proposal with an eye-popping offer of their own. And despite lying in the weeds for the majority of this process, they have once again managed to add yet another star player to a roster already overflowing with elite talent.

Because of everything the Dodgers have come to represent in baseball — as a singular behemoth with an unprecedented amount of star power and consecutive championships — Tucker’s signing sparked a firestorm of takes and reactions that extend far beyond the 29-year-old outfielder’s on-field résumé. fWAR be damned; this is about what his joining the modern superteam means for the health and well-being of the entire sport.

Advertisement

Tucker’s contract also elicited a collective double-take from fans and analysts trying to wrap their heads around such a staggering salary for any player, let alone one who, while undeniably one of the more dependably productive position players on the planet, doesn’t strike anyone as a record-setting kind of talent. It’s one thing to have a bidding war for a generational talent such as Shohei Ohtani or Juan Soto reach stratospheric heights. But for Tucker? It just doesn’t quite compute.

Yet the Dodgers are operating within the rules, clearly comfortable soaring well beyond any and all luxury tax thresholds intended to dissuade outlier spending, to construct the best roster possible in pursuit of another World Series title. After making a statement at the winter meetings by signing elite closer Edwin Díaz to improve a bullpen that badly needed upgrading, they’ve delivered a staggering encore in Tucker to address one of their few other weaknesses, a relatively unsettled outfield. So while there’s plenty of discussion to be had about the ramifications of another top talent choosing to wear Dodger blue, let’s consider the baseball-related motivations behind L.A.’s gargantuan investment in Tucker.

If anything, the lengths Los Angeles was willing to go to sign Tucker could be indicative of an internal evaluation of the outfield as an area of weakness that could not be ignored. This deal doesn’t look like what was described as the Dodgers’ free-agency strategy of “letting the market come to them.” No, this looks like a team with unique financial wherewithal doing whatever it takes to sign the best option available at a position of need. Sure, they waited longer to execute the transaction, rather than pouncing early in the offseason like with Díaz, but the end result still speaks volumes about what L.A. was prioritizing this winter. (It’s also quite the contrast to the Dodgers’ attempt to address the outfield last offseason: an ill-fated, one-year flier on Michael Conforto).

Advertisement

Was the Dodgers’ outfield really in need of such a boost? Considering how much offensive talent exists on the roster — not to mention the wealth of impact arms on the pitching staff —  “need” feels like a stretch. But zoom in on the Dodgers’ recent outfield production, especially since Mookie Betts made his transition to full-time infielder, and it has undeniably underwhelmed. Over the past two seasons, Dodgers outfielders have combined to rank 18th in fWAR. In 2025, their collective .299 on-base percentage ranked 26th. Over the past three seasons, Tucker’s .380 on-base percentage ranks eighth among qualified hitters (his new teammates Ohtani and Freddie Freeman rank fourth and sixth). That’ll help.

[Get more L.A. news: Dodgers team feed] 

That’s not to say Los Angeles didn’t have internal outfield options to turn to, but those didn’t exactly inspire confidence. Teoscar Hernández took a notable step back with the bat in his second year as a Dodger and rates as one of the worst defensive outfielders in baseball. Tucker’s addition should enable Hernández to slide back to left field, where he looked slightly more comfortable in 2024. (But the most important thing is that he avoid further deterioration at the plate, considering he’s owed more than $40 million over the next two seasons.) Andy Pages is a worthwhile option in center field after a sneaky solid regular season followed by a disastrous postseason (except for his World Series-saving catch), but like Hernández, he’s far more slug-centric and without reliable on-base skills.

And adding Tucker isn’t just about strengthening the outfield; it’s about reinforcing the offense overall. Other than Ohtani and Will Smith, whose track records and positive trajectories are tough to refute, there are legitimate questions about the remainder of the Dodgers’ lineup in the relatively short term.

Advertisement

Freeman is still terrific, but he turns 37 in September; how much longer will he be an elite hitter? Betts’ bat took an enormous step back in 2025, and while his shockingly good shortstop defense helped ensure plus value on the whole, his presence in the lineup doesn’t carry nearly the weight it used to. Max Muncy was quite productive when healthy last season, but he turns 36 in August and is entering the final year of his contract. Tommy Edman, who could also see time in the outfield, has a lot to prove at the plate as he enters his third season in L.A. Then there’s Alex Call, Hyeseong Kim, Miguel Rojas and recent addition Andy Ibáñez — these are useful role players but not hitters whom opponents fear when game-planning.

By adding a sure-fire offensive force in Tucker, the Dodgers have protected themselves against further regression from their older stars and underwhelming production from the players whose bats shouldn’t be trusted much to begin with. On top of that, Tucker’s relative youth — he turns 29 on Saturday — stands out on a Dodgers roster that is one of the oldest in the league. Only Pages and backup catcher Dalton Rushing are younger than Tucker among position players currently projected to be on L.A.’s 26-man roster.

With opt-outs after the second and third seasons of the contract, it’s possible Tucker will bolster the Dodgers’ lineup for only a couple of years before bolting elsewhere. Then again, with such massive annual salaries in the third and fourth years, it wouldn’t be stunning to see him stay put and star for the Dodgers for the duration of the deal.

Advertisement

However long Tucker stays, adding a player of his caliber still firmly in his prime without committing to him for the long haul is a smart way to bridge the gap between the current roster core and the next wave of Dodgers talent. Exactly which players that wave consists of remains to be seen, but the farm system is as stacked as ever, with an absurd amount of outfielders, some of whom could join Tucker in the Dodger Stadium grass in the relatively near future.

But those are future concerns. And if their actions are any indication, what matters most to the Dodgers is whatever — and whoever — is available right now to help them sustain their spectacular run of success. As it turns out, Tucker was part of that overarching equation, at a cost that boggles the mind but fits the theme of how L.A. has operated in recent years.

The Indiana Hoosiers have had quite the year. Not only are they undefeated as they head into the College Football Playoff National Championship Game against the Miami Hurricanes, but they’re also riding high after quarterback Fernando Mendoza‘s Heisman Trophy win. The team will head to Miami Gardens, FL, where they’ll play the Hurricanes for the national title at the Hard Rock Stadium, and if you’ve got an urge to watch the game in person, there’s good news; you can still find tickets using Gametime.

Gametime is the premier marketplace for last-minute tickets to events like Monday’s Indiana vs. Miami game, featuring transparent pricing that includes all fees, mobile ticketing – no printer required – and a guarantee that all tickets sold will be valid for entry to the game. If you’re interested in buying tickets to the 2026 College Football Playoff Championship Game between Indiana and Miami, here’s everything you need to know about getting them through Gametime.

Advertisement

When is the CFP National Championship Game?

The Indiana vs. Miami championship game is on Monday, January 19, 2026 at 7:30 p.m. ET.

Where is the Indiana vs. Miami CFP National Championship Game?

The Indiana Hoosiers will face the Miami Hurricanes at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, FL.

How to get tickets to the Indiana vs. Miami Championship Game with Gametime

This year’s championship game is a hot ticket, but even with all the buzz around it, there are still tickets to be had. Gametime offers a great selection of seats, though they’re pricey, starting around $2,900.

Find tickets with Gametime

Advertisement

Indiana vs. Miami ticket prices:

Ticket prices for this year’s. CFP national championship game are pretty high, with the cheapest seats starting around $2,900 and the most expensive running upwards of $14,000.

How to get Indiana vs. Miami tickets using Gametime:

You can find individual tickets to the CFP Championship on Gametime where you can filter by price and quantity to find the tickets that are right for you.

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — Inside a buzzing New England Patriots locker room, edge rusher K’Lavon Chaisson shouted: “Everybody picked them!”

The Patriots weren’t, according to oddsmakers, underdogs at home. But a panel of five ESPN analysts had unanimously predicted a Houston Texans upset. And the Patriots were keeping receipts. So after New England emerged from a wintry mix Sunday with a 28-16 divisional playoff win, the team’s X account shared the “SportsCenter” clip of the Texans predictions that didn’t pan out.

Advertisement

Grammy Award-winning rapper Cardi B, who is expecting a child with her boyfriend Patriots receiver Stefon Diggs, shared the clip with a video of her screaming: “What are y’all talking about!!!”

And the tweet made the rounds through the Patriots’ celebratory locker room.

The Patriots’ offense was more even-keeled after an expectedly difficult day against a staunch defense. But the Patriots’ defense, who believed that narratives all week had crowned this contest as a matter of the Texans’ strong defense vs. the Patriots’ strong offense, had plenty to say.

New England defenders heard, what they believed to be, a tidal wave of praise for the Texans’ defense that didn’t extend to New England’s defense. Chaisson, whose ambushes of C.J. Stroud prompted two interceptions, including a pick 6, was ready to respond.

Advertisement

“We saw the noise for sure,” Chaisson told Yahoo Sports. “Man, we know we hear the noise about the defense and we heard the challenge. … So that was just something that we definitely took note of and for sure that we knew it was a challenge for the defense to continue to make plays and show who’s the best out on the field.

“When you talk about the Patriots, you can talk about all three sides of the ball.”

Patriots quarterback Drake Maye, a top MVP candidate alongside the Los Angeles Rams’ Matthew Stafford, ultimately made key plays to secure the win. But New England’s stifling defense led the charge to advance the club to its first AFC championship game in the post-Tom Brady era. Capitalizing on the wintry mix slicking New England fields and footballs alike, the Patriots forced five takeaways of a Texans unit that lost several players to injury.

Advertisement

And as New England clinched its spot against the Denver Broncos next week, the Patriots did not cling to pretenses about shutting out the noise or listening to only themselves.

Head coach Mike Vrabel encouraged his players to “embrace the strain.” Defensive linemen and secondary playmakers alike insisted no one believed they would be here. Real or contrived, the Patriots’ legacy of riding slights perceived and intentional was alive and well on a blistery and snowy day. Brady would have been proud.

“I think we’re one of those teams that play better with a chip on our shoulder,” said Diggs, who caught four passes for 40 yards and a touchdown. “There were a handful of commentators and people, the little tidbits I do see — because I try not to see too much — they all picked Houston to win. I mean, for a good reason: That’s a good football team. And I understand their vantage point …

“Hopefully they do that again this week because that’s another good defense [in Denver] we’re about to go see.”

Advertisement

5 takeaways fuel Patriots defensive confidence: ‘Us against anybody’

The Patriots’ offense flashed on the first series of the game, with an assertive decision to go for it on fourth-and-1 from the 28-yard line.

Texans safety Calen Bullock played tight coverage as Patriots receiver DeMario Douglas ran a slant. Bullock’s fingers brushed the ball, but then he fell as Douglas secured the catch, ran upfield and scored. With 9:35 to play in the first quarter, the Patriots had their first lead. For all but two minutes and 20 seconds of the game’s remainder, they would hold the advantage.

New England’s offense was not consistent: The Patriots would punt eight times in the divisional game, ceding possession twice more on fumbles by Maye.

Advertisement

But Vrabel had managed expectations, as he told his offense: Playing against this defense will not be pretty. Expect “tough sledding” against a “fast, talented” unit, he told them. So the Patriots’ offense stayed calm when dry spells hit.

Struggling while ahead helped. The Patriots received a cushion from their defense, which took over and took the ball away repeatedly. The Patriots had watched the Pittsburgh Steelers force two fumbles and an interception of Stroud six days earlier, and they believed Houston’s offense was mistake-prone. If they stopped the run and made the Texans one-dimensional, they could feast. New England held Houston to a season-low 48 rushing yards — and indeed went home satiated.

Cornerback Carlton Davis III picked off Stroud on one Chaisson pressure, Marcus Jones securing both interception and touchdown on another Chaisson pursuit. Safety Craig Woodson dove for a ball that touched but did not stay in the hands of Texans receiver Xavier Hutchinson; and then Davis picked off Stroud still again.

Advertisement

“They made mistakes last week and we knew that coming into the game, if they make mistakes like that, we got to capitalize and that’s what we did,” Woodson told Yahoo Sports. “That’s really all it was. We just do us.”

That the Patriots’ defense could do this wasn’t shocking. New England’s defense ranked fourth in points per game through the regular season and eighth in yards per game. But its defensive effort was overshadowed much of the season by Maye’s theatrics. Quietly, impromptu coordinator Zak Kuhr’s trust in his players grew; the return of injured players including Khyiris Tonga raised the group’s ceiling.

After the Texans’ defense neutralized four-time MVP Aaron Rodgers in a wild-card road game, the Texans group that ranked second in points per game allowed and first in yards per game allowed through the regular season received the hype.

Advertisement

So New England sought to show it could keep up. Sure, the defenses were never going to directly face off. That didn’t stop the Patriots from viewing their pride as a matter of upstaging the Texans’ defense.

“We knew it was going to be a fight and we just stuck together and made the plays we had to make,” linebacker Jack Gibbens told Yahoo Sports. “If we keep playing like this, sticking together, putting in the work and playing complementary defense, then I feel like I like us against anybody.”

Maye hopes to bounce back vs. Broncos: ‘I can’t be too hard on myself’

As equipment staff members passed out labeled footballs to the players who earned them via takeaways, the Patriots’ locker room members already knew who awaited them in the conference championship game.

Advertisement

Like Houston, the Broncos will threaten first and foremost on defense. Denver’s defense ranked third in points per game allowed this season and second in yardage.

A soft run of regular-season schedules may not have prepared Maye fully for Denver. But consecutive games against the swarming Los Angeles Chargers and All-Pro defensive front Texans have further tested his mettle.

Maye wanted some plays back Sunday. He also rebounded from them to strike when it mattered most.

“I think I could have more chances downfield and make some better throws,” Maye said after completing 16 of 20 passes for 178 yards, three touchdowns and an end-of-half interception. “But I can’t be too hard on myself [as I] move on to the next one.”

Advertisement

Maye’s pocket awareness, on a day when the Texans’ Will Anderson Jr. and Danielle Hunter overwhelmed his offensive linemen, could stand to improve. Maye lost one fumble when defensive tackle Tommy Togiai stripped him on a scramble and another when Anderson beat left tackle Will Campbell and swatted Maye from behind as Maye wound up to throw. Two more fumbles the Patriots recovered to retain possession.

But Maye also hit three different teammates for a touchdown. In addition to finding Douglas early, Maye threaded a 7-yard touchdown to Diggs with 3:12 to play in the first half and he led receiver Kayshon Boutte in the fourth quarter with a Boutte-or-nobody pass that Boutte nabbed with one hand.

“I was impressed,” Diggs said of Boutte’s touchdown catch. “Pop [DeMario Douglas] popped it off. I tried to follow Pop. And then I think [Boutte] was the sprinkles on top of the ice cream. He’s a hell of a player.”

So, teammates say, is Maye.

Advertisement

That could separate the Patriots from the Broncos next Sunday at 3 p.m. ET when two teams with strong defenses face off, and only one fronts a starting quarterback. Denver quarterback Bo Nix broke a bone in his ankle in overtime Saturday night against the Buffalo Bills. Jarrett Stidham, a former Patriot who has not attempted a pass all season for the Broncos, will start in his place. (Stidham did take the field to kneel out a blowout win over the Cowboys.)

Even as Patriots defenders wished Nix a speedy recovery and touted Stidham and the Denver offense as a problem, facing a quarterback without an acclimation period gives the Patriots an advantage. One league source said they expect Denver’s offense to look similar, albeit with less of Nix’s mobility to extend plays. That mobility is one of several Maye strengths that gives the Patriots confidence.

“He’s been the catalyst of this team,” Gibbens said of Maye. “We go where he goes and he’s been unbelievable.”

Advertisement

Added Campbell: “He is who he is for a reason. Nothing can make him flinch.”

On Sunday, even less could make the Patriots’ defense flinch. Vrabel’s Saturday speech to the team that every member had made necessary plays, and would continue to be an integral part of the championship recipe, once again bore out.

The Patriots embraced noise, figuratively and literally, as a hyped Gillette Stadium cheered so hard the stadium at multiple times shook.

So when the Patriots arrive to Empower Field at Mile High Stadium next week, don’t expect the decibels to rock them. They’ve been training.

“We know the stadium is going to be loud,” Vrabel said. “So, the louder, the better.”