KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Andy Reid has vivid memories of the last time the Texans came to Kansas City for a divisional playoff matchup. At that time, he was often regarded as one of the top coaches yet to secure a Super Bowl title. Patrick Mahomes was emerging as a young quarterback, full of promise and setting records. The Texans boasted Deshaun Watson, not C.J. Stroud, as their quarterback, and Watson’s two touchdown passes propelled Houston to an impressive 24-0 lead, leaving Arrowhead Stadium in disbelief.
Reid reflected on that tough start, saying, “We didn’t start off very well, that’s for sure.” However, the outcome turned in the Chiefs’ favor dramatically. They rallied to score 28 points in the second quarter, leading them to a commanding 51-31 victory. This win not only advanced them to the AFC Championship game but also laid the groundwork for Reid to eventually clinch his first Super Bowl title. “Getting down like that,” Mahomes commented, “things could have gone south real fast. I was proud of the resilience of the guys.”
As the Chiefs prepare for another face-off against the Texans on Saturday, they are targeting a third consecutive Super Bowl victory and a fourth championship within six seasons. This championship quest started with their triumph over Houston back on January 12, 2020. “It’s been a fun run up to this point. But we want to get to that ultimate goal,” Mahomes said. He understands the challenges ahead but remains focused on daily improvements toward securing a win.
Holding a 15-2 record, the Chiefs secured the top seed and gained a first-round bye in the playoffs. Since clinching their spot on Christmas Day, they have opted to rest many starters, including Mahomes, Travis Kelce, and Chris Jones, during their Week 18 loss in Denver. While there are concerns about potential rust after a lengthy break of 24 days between games, the team prioritized getting healthy over rhythm.
Meanwhile, the Texans (11-7) have gained momentum, having topped the Titans in their regular-season finale and convincingly defeated the Chargers in the wild-card round. Although they previously lost to Kansas City ahead of Christmas, both teams seem unfazed by that earlier matchup, which occurred during a grueling 11-day stretch with three games. “That was that week. It’s different circumstances that happened in that particular week,” Texans coach DeMeco Ryans stated. He emphasized that the upcoming game will be approached fresh, as if their first encounter ever.
This marks the Texans’ sixth attempt for a berth in the AFC championship game, and they have yet to secure a victory in any of their previous five attempts. Stroud suggested that achieving this milestone would be significant, adding, “This team is really motivated to go up there and play some good ball against a great Kansas City team that has been in these moments forever.”
A pressing issue for the Chiefs has been their ability to protect Mahomes from the blind side. Throughout the season, they transitioned All-Pro left guard Joe Thuney to tackle while using Mike Caliendo in his place. The decision now lies in whether to continue with this setup or revert Thuney to guard while starting D.J. Humphries, a former Pro Bowl tackle limited to just two games due to injuries this season.
Similarly, Jaylen Watson’s potential return to the Kansas City lineup is anticipated after recovering from an ankle injury sustained back in October against San Francisco. Reid noted, “Not telling you he could play a whole game, but I think he has a chance to play for sure.”
The Texans displayed noteworthy special teams prowess in their last playoff win, highlighted by D’Angelo Ross blocking a punt and scoring two points on a returned blocked extra point — a historic moment, making it the first of its kind in NFL playoff history. Ryans praised the special teams unit for their impactful plays, noting how such moments can drastically change the outcome of games.
Nico Collins has emerged as a key performer for the Texans, stepping up despite the absence of fellow wide receivers Stefon Diggs and Tank Dell due to injuries. Collins led the team with 1,006 receiving yards in the regular season and set a franchise playoff record with 122 receiving yards and a touchdown against the Chargers. Ryans expressed his pride in Collins’ consistency and performance throughout the year.
Lastly, Mahomes enjoyed a significant family milestone during the bye week, welcoming his third child with his wife, Brittany, on Sunday. Their new daughter, Golden Raye, joins siblings Sterling and Bronze. “It was cool that football was on TV while I was in the hospital, so I was able to watch a little bit,” he shared. “Brittany was kind enough to let us watch football as she was getting ready to give birth.”
