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Nico Collins of the Texans Ignites a Firestorm With Comments Targeting Patriots Fans — Drake Maye Fires Back Ahead of the Divisional Round

Foxborough, Massachusetts – January 12, 2026

Tensions across the AFC suddenly escalated just days before the Divisional Round playoff game when Nico Collins of the Houston Texans became the center of controversy due to a shocking post on Instagram. The Texans’ offensive star publicly criticized New England Patriots fans, calling them “delusional,” shortly after confirming that he would not take the field for the Divisional Round matchup at Gillette Stadium.

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According to multiple sources, after announcing his absence, Collins’ personal page was quickly flooded by Patriots fans with sarcastic comments such as “Good bye, see you again…”. That reaction appeared to ignite Collins’ frustrated post — and within just hours, his remarks spread rapidly across social media, further inflaming a rivalry that was already tense in a win-or-go-home playoff setting.

It did not take long for New England to respond. Drake Maye, the Patriots’ young quarterback, issued a strong message of defiance, affirming that he and his teammates play for the fans in Foxborough and are ready to turn playoff night into “a nightmare” for any opponent that steps into their home stadium.

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Maye’s response was met with overwhelming support from the Patriots community. Many fans now view him as a new symbol of the team’s spirit, pride, and unity — especially in the playoff atmosphere, where even the smallest details can make a major difference.

On the other side, many believe Collins’ comments crossed the line of ordinary trash talk. Directly attacking opposing fans — particularly with the Texans traveling to Gillette and Collins himself unable to play — has been widely viewed as disrespectful in the context of a high-stakes playoff battle.

Amid the controversy, New England head coach Mike Vrabel chose to de-escalate the situation. He emphasized that the team would not be distracted by off-field noise: “We’re focused on preparation. All the answers will be on the field.”

As a result, the Patriots vs. Texans matchup is no longer just about tactics or matchups. It has become deeply personal — a clash centered on respect, belief, and the determination to defend home turf in Foxborough.

Zelensky Accuses Russia of Supplying Suicide Drones to Iran
  Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has accused Russia of supplying Iran with Shahed-style suicide drones, which are reportedly being used by Tehran to target U.S. bases and neighboring countries in the Middle East. However, Zelensky has not provided concrete evidence to support these claims. In an interview released by CNN on March 14, Zelensky stated, "I have 100% accurate information that Iran is using this type of UAV to target U.S. bases and neighboring countries in the Middle East." The Shahed drones, originally produced by Russia after receiving a license from Iran, have been implicated in attacks on U.S. and allied military installations in the region. Zelensky further claimed that Russia is also providing intelligence support to Iran's attacks. "Russia's position is that if Washington and Europe are helping Kyiv with intelligence, Moscow can similarly support Tehran," Zelensky added. Despite these bold assertions, the Ukrainian president did not present any direct evidence to substantiate his claims. Neither Russia nor Iran has officially commented on these allegations. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi confirmed on March 14 that Iran is "militarily cooperating" with both Russia and China, though he did not provide further details. Earlier reports from The Washington Post cited sources indicating that Russia had provided Iran with intelligence on the location of U.S. military assets in the Middle East. This alleged support is believed to have helped Tehran successfully target a range of high-value targets in the region, including radar systems valued between $500 million to over a billion dollars. U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff stated on March 10 that Russia has denied sharing intelligence with Iran, affirming that Washington "can trust" Moscow's statements. Shahed drones, developed by Iran, come in various models and have been a key part of Iran's military capabilities. Iran reportedly supplied several Shahed-136 drones to Russia, granting Moscow a license to produce them under the name Geran-2. The Geran-2, which weighs about 200 kg and carries a 50 kg warhead, has a range of 2,500 km and is primarily used by Russian forces in long-range strikes against Ukraine. However, it can also be used for tactical strikes near the frontlines if needed. Images of a Geran-2 UAV in flight over Kyiv in December 2025 have highlighted its growing role in the conflict. In late February 2026, after the U.S. and Israel launched an attack on Iran, Tehran responded by targeting Israel's territory, U.S. bases in the Middle East, and vital energy infrastructure across the Gulf region with both missiles and suicide drones. According to CBS, the early phase of the conflict saw an Iranian drone strike on a U.S. military operations center in Kuwait, resulting in six soldiers' deaths. The specific type of drone used remains unclear. Additionally, a radar system in Qatar, worth approximately $1.1 billion, was damaged in an attack believed to have been carried out by an Iranian suicide drone. The growing use of these drones by Iran, particularly with alleged Russian support, has further escalated tensions in the Middle East, adding to the already volatile situation between the U.S., Iran, and their respective allies.