Texans vs. Chiefs score, live updates: Kansas City’s road to a 3-peat opens vs. Houston in divisional round
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Inevitable is a word that’s been thrown around about the Kansas City Chiefs throughout this season, as they try to march toward a historic third straight Super Bowl title. They opened 13-0, and their only two losses in the regular season were at Buffalo and at Denver in Week 18 with the No. 1 seed locked up and the starters on the bench.
They’ve won every way imaginable this season, and while good teams make their own luck, that has some thinking Kansas City might be vulnerable. While playing up — or sometimes apparently down — to its competition isn’t in question, the rust vs. rest argument may come into play. The Chiefs haven’t played a meaningful game in the standings since Christmas Day — a 24-day layoff for the Chiefs’ top players.
The Texans and Chiefs met in Week 16, on the Saturday before Christmas, a 27-19 K.C. win.
The Texans were last seen making short work of the Los Angeles Chargers, 32-12 in the wild-card round. Joe Mixon rushed for 106 yards and a touchdown, and C.J. Stroud threw for 282 yards and a score. He and head coach DeMeco Ryans became just the third quarterback-head coach combo — along with Mark Sanchez and Rex Ryan (Jets), and Joe Flacco and John Harbaugh (Ravens) — to win playoff games in their first two NFL seasons together. A Texans upset would mean the first AFC championship game appearance in franchise history.
How to watch Texans vs. Chiefs: AFC Divisional playoff
Time: 4:30 p.m. ET Location: GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium | Kansas City, Mo. TV Channel: ABC, ESPN Streaming: ESPN+, Fubo
Live21 updates
Another look at helmet-to-helmet call on Will Anderson Jr.
Chiefs’ Bryan Cook to locker room
Chiefs safety Bryan Cook was checked in the medical tent for a head injury after a hit on Nico Collins. He’s been taken back to the locker room to evaluate him for a concussion.
Chris Jones sacks C.J. Stroud
Kansas City’s pass rush has been getting after C.J. Stroud on this drive, though he did complete a 14-yard throw to Nico Collins on 3rd-and-2.
Chris Jones gets to Stroud two plays later, sacking him for a 12-yard loss on third down. Houston will have to punt.
C.J. Stroud received heat treatment on left knee
C.J. Stroud had an infrared heat wrap on his left knee while the Chiefs’ offense was on the field, according to ESPN’s Laura Rutledge.
Field goal: Chiefs 6, Texans 3
The Texans’ defense holds in the red zone again with Will Anderson Jr. tackling Xavier Worthy for an 8-yard loss followed by Tommy Togiai sacking Patrick Mahomes for a 2-yard loss.
Kansas City has to settle for a field goal after getting pushed back 10 yards. Harrison Butker kicks a 36-yarder for a 6–3 lead.
Roughing the passer on Will Anderson Jr.
The Texans forced Patrick Mahomes to throw an incomplete pass on third-and-8. But Will Anderson Jr. was called for roughing the passer on an apparent helmet-to-helmet hit.
Automatic first down for Kansas City and the ball advances to its 48-yard-line on the penalty.
There was disagreement on social media on the call, as you can imagine.
C.J. Stroud limped off the field after being tackled by George Karlaftis, perhaps with an ankle injury. He’s getting checked out on the sideline, but appears to be all right.
Field goal: Texans 3, Chiefs 3
After a 13-yard pass from C.J. Stroud to Nico Collins gave Houston a 1st-and-10 at the Chiefs’ 14-yard line, the Texans’ drive stalled.
Joe Mixon ran for no gain, followed by an incomplete pass from Stroud and a two-yard scramble.
Ka’imi Fairbairn ties the game with a 30-yard field goal.
Chiefs’ Trent McDuffie to the medical tent
Chiefs cornerback Trent McDuffie was shaken up while tackling Joe Mixon on 2nd-and-5. He came out of the game and went to the blue medical tent to get checked out.
However, McDuffie is now back in the game after missing five plays.
Stroud to Schultz for 34 yards
Houston gets an explosive play on its opening drive with C.J. Stroud hitting Dalton Schultz for a 34-yard pass. That moves the Texans to the Kansas City 35-yard line.
Field goal: Chiefs 3, Texans 0
The Texans’ defense holds after that big kickoff return by the Chiefs. Isiah Pacheco loses a yard on his first carry, then Patrick Mahomes throws two incomplete passes.
Kansas City has to settle for a field goal and Harrison Butker kicks a 32-yarder for a 3–0 lead.
Eventful opening kickoff
Houston won the coin toss and will defer to the second half. So the Chiefs’ offense will take the field first.
Nikko Remigio returned the kickoff 63 yards for Kansas City, but fumbled while being tackled by Kris Boyd. Samaje Perine recovered for the Chiefs.
Boyd was then flagged 15 yards for taking of his helmet, giving the Chiefs the ball at Houston’s 13-yard line. He followed that blunder up with a shove of special teams coach Frank Ross. What a start, Houston.
National anthem hitting Chris Jones in the emotions
Lanell Lightfoot’s rendition of the national anthem before kickoff got Chiefs defensive tackle Chris Jones feeling his emotions.
Will Mahomes be rusty?
A big storyline early on will be whether or not Patrick Mahomes is rusty after a long layoff — 23 days, to be exact.
Patrick Mahomes has had 23 days of rest before today’s game vs. Texans.
Longest stretch for any non-injured QB before a playoff game prior to this — Warren Moon’s 22 days in 1994, vs. the Chiefs — a game the Oilers lost 28-20 as 7-pt favorites. pic.twitter.com/K6TE47FMT3
The Chiefs and Texans played during the regular season in Week 16 and Kansas City won, 27–19.
Patrick Mahomes passed for 260 yards and one touchdown, completing 28-of-41 passes. Xavier Worthy caught seven passes for 65 yards and a score. Kareem Hunt had 11 carries for 55 yards and a TD. Mahomes also ran for a TD.
For Houston, C.J. Stroud completed 23-of-39 passes for 244 yards, two TDs and two interceptions. Tank Dell notched six receptions for 98 yards and a TD. Joe Mixon rushed for 57 yards on 14 carries.
