Texans vs. Chiefs Updates
FINAL: Chiefs 23, Texans 14
Q4, 1:39 — Chiefs Sack Party Ends Texans’ Season
Stroud has been under pressure all night and is sacked on third and 10 for the Chiefs’ eighth of the night. He limps off the field again, forcing a Texans field goal. Fairbairn’s kick is blocked by Leo Chenal and the Chiefs are on their way to the AFC Championship game.
Q4, 4:38 — Texans on the Brink of Elimination
After two consecutive three-and-outs, the Chiefs are knocking on the door of another AFC Championship game appearance. Kansas City running back Kareem Hunt breaks a few tackles to put his team on Houston’s 18-yard line. Worthy catches a ball short of the first down marker and a field goal extends the Chiefs’ lead to 23-12
Q4, 9:59 — Texans Up Against It
The drive starts well for Houston, as Stroud makes a few nice passes to make it to Kansas City’s side of the field. However, the Chiefs’ defense turns up the pressure, with blitzes forcing Stroud into two straight incompletions. The Texans go for it on fourth down but Stroud is unable to find a target as they turn the ball over on downs.
Q4, 11:52 — Mahomes Works His Magic
The Chiefs respond to the Texans’ touchdown with another long drive, aided by an unnecessary roughness call on the Texans. Houston forces a third down try in the red zone, but Mahomes works his magic and hits Kelce while falling for an 11-yard touchdown. Chiefs hit the field goal and lead 20-12.
Q3, 4:36 — Texans Controlling the Clock
The Texans’ first offensive drive coming out of the half is exactly what they needed. Stroud and running back Joe Mixon slowly work their way down the field, converting multiple third downs and draining 10 minutes of clock. Mixon finishes the drive with a 13-yard touchdown run, but Fairbairn’s extra point is no good. Chiefs lead 13-12.
End of First Half: Chiefs 13, Texans 6
With the half coming to an end, the Texans are able to drive down to the Chiefs’ 29-yard line, where they are forced to settle for a field goal. Houston kicker Ka’imi Fairbairn nails the 48-yard field goal, leaving Kansas City with 16 seconds left to work with. They elect to let the clock run out.
Q2, 4:36 — Mahomes, Kelce Crack Texans Defense
The Chiefs find an explosive play as Mahomes finds tight end Travis Kelce for a 49-yard reception that takes the offense down to the Texans’ six-yard line. A few plays later, running back Kareem Hunt finally cracks the game open with a one-yard touchdown run. Chiefs lead 13-3.
Q2, 7:06 — Stroud Sacked Again, Texans Field Goal is Blocked
On the ensuing drive, Will Anderson Jr. sacks Mahomes on third down to force a punt. Stroud’s knee looks fine on the next offensive drive, as he scrambles 28 yards to convert a third and 10. He’s not so lucky on the next third down, as former Longhorns Charles Omenihu sacks Stroud. The ensuing field goal is blocked.
Q1, 1:05 — Chiefs Force a Texans Punt
The TV broadcast reports that Stroud is dealing with discomfort in his left knee. The quarterback returns for the Texans’ drive and completes a few passes before Chiefs defensive lineman Chris Jones sacks him on third down, forcing a punt.
Q1, 3:59 — Texans Defense Holds Steady in the Redzone
The Texans force an errant throw by Mahomes on third down, but a roughing the passer penalty gives the Chiefs a fresh set of downs. Mahomes connects with Xavier Worthy to reach the red zone again. Houston’s defense holds up again to force another field goal.
Q1, 8:41 — C.J. Stroud Limping, Texans Tie the Game
After driving down to the Chiefs’ 14-yard line, Stroud scrambles forward for two yards on third down but is tackled short of the first down marker. The quarterback limps off the field as the Texans tie the game with their own field goal.
Q1, 13:58 — Chiefs Settle for a Field Goal
The Chiefs get things started quickly with a 63-yard kickoff return. A 15-yard unsportsmanlike penalty by former Longhorn Kris Boyd gives Mahomes a first down on the Texans’ 13-yard line. However, the Chiefs go three and out and settle for a field goal.
Texans vs. Chiefs Preview
The Houston Texans advanced to the divisional round of the NFL postseason with a convincing win over the Los Angeles Chargers. The Kansas City Chiefs are next, and the Texans will be the first playoff team to attempt to stop quarterback Patrick Mahomes from leading his team to a Super Bowl three-peat.
The last time these teams played, the Texans lost 27-19 in a close-fought battle. Quarterback C.J. Stroud did not have his best day, recording two interceptions alongside two touchdowns, and the defense couldn’t stop Mahomes from methodically working his way up and down the field.
The Chiefs earned the No. 1 seed based on a strong defense and Mahomes’ clutch play. However, they’ve played with very little room for error this year, winning their games by an average of 7.1 points. The Texans’ offense has not been fantastic, but Stroud’s connection with star receiver Nico Collins has proven to be one of the best combinations in the NFL this season. Even so, Houston will need some of their other receivers to step up if they want to crack Kansas City’s defense.
Another weakness the Texans can exploit is the Chiefs’ offensive line. Will Anderson Jr. and Danielle Hunter have to be at their very best to wreak havoc against Mahomes, one of the hardest-to-sack quarterbacks in the NFL.
Broadcast Information
Watch Texans vs. Chiefs on ABC, Fubo, and ESPN+.
TV Channel: ABC
Streaming: Fubo; ESPN+
Start Time: 3:30 p.m. Central Time
Location: GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri
Texans Inactives
- Teagan Quitoriano (Out)
- Joe Mixon (Questionable)
- Azeez Al-Shaair (Questionable)
- Robert Woods (Questionable)
Chiefs Inactives
- Mecole Hardman (Out)
- Jaylen Watson (Questionable)
Prediction: Chiefs win a close game, 27-24
The Texans have played well this season, but the Chiefs are just too much to overcome. Mahomes is the best quarterback in the NFL, and he has a lot of weapons around him. The Texans will need to play a perfect game to have a chance of winning, and that’s just not likely to happen.