Drake Maye threw three TD passes in the Patriots AFC Divisional Round win over the Texans Sunday at Gillette Stadium, one to Kayshon Boutte who made a one-handed grab. (AP photo)

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – It was certainly the Catch of the Day.

It may have been the Catch of the Year.

Yes, New England Patriots receiver Kayshon Boutte’s one handed grab in the end zone of a Drake Maye pass with 12:58 left gave the Patriots some breathing room in their AFC Divisional Round win over the Houston Texans Sunday at Gillette Stadium.

Houston had closed to within 21-16, but Boutte’s TD helped make it 28-16, and that was the final.

But oh, that grab.

“I was impressed,” Patriots veteran receiver Stefon Diggs said. “He’s a helluva player. He continues to show up, game in and game out. He’s just one of the guys that we’re going to continue to motivate, push and talk a lot of junk to. But he shows up, makes a lot of plays and I’m proud of that guy.”

So is Maye, the QB who has thrown a few TDs to him this year and last.

“He keeps on making them,” Maye said. “He keeps on making plays, making me look good. I’m proud to be abe to give him some thros to make a play on it. A one-handed catch, not much else to say about it. It as pretty sweet. Kind of the same type of throw as my first one to him (last year, also for a touchdown in the same end zone). And he made an even better catch this time.

“Props to Kayshon for keep on playing. He was huge for us tonight.”

RYANS STANDS BY STROUD

Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans said he wasnt about to repace C.J. Stroud at quarterback, even after his four interceptions in the first half.

“No, C.J.is our guy,” he said. “I believed that he could come back in the second half and flip it. I believed that he could play better, and he did that in the second half. He did play better. We had some positive drives there in the second half (coming to within 21-16). I believed he would do that, and he did that.

“I always tell our guys at halftime, it really doesn’t matter what happened in the first half. You have to flush it, remove it, and you just have to go out and finish the right way.”

INACTIVES

Patriot inactives included no one of major importance: DB Kobee Minor, LB Bradyn Swinson, tackle Marcus Bryant, DT Eric Gregory, OL Caedan Wallace, and tight end C.J. Dippre. Tommy DeVito was the emergency third QB.

However, the Texans of course were without star wide receiver Nico Collins, but also before the game it was deemed right tackle and former Patriot Trent Brown couldn’t go. Also out were corner Aijah Huzzie, wideout Justin Watson (another key loss) while Graham Mertz was the third QB.

EIGHT PATRIOTS WITH AFC TITLE GAME EXPERIENCE

Eight current Patriots have played in an AFC Championship Game in their careers:

Cornerback Carlton Davis III (2020 with Tampa), Stefon Diggs (2017 with Vikings, 2020 with Bills), linebacker Christian Ellis (2022 with Eagles), tight end Austin Hooper (2016 with Falcons), LB Harold Landry III (2019 with Titans), DT Milton Williams (2022, 2024 with Eagles) and receiver Mack Hollis (2024 with Bills).

NOTES

The victory ties the Patriots as a franchise with the San Francisco 49ers for the most postseason wins in NFL history, 39. Green Bay is next with 37…

It was the Patriots 61st postseason game, fifth most in NFL history…

Patriots defensive back Marcus Jones made NFL history, becoming the second NFL player ever to have two pick sixes and two punt returns for a touchdown in a season, including playoffs. The other: CB Phillip Buchanon with Oakland in 2003…

Patriots linebacker K’Lavon Chaisson, who had a sack on Sunday, now has three for the postseason…

Next Up: The Patriots at Denver in the AFC Championship Game next Sunday at 3 p.m. EST. It will be the franchise’s 16th AFC tite game in its history.