KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Patrick Mahomes has maintained an undefeated streak in the divisional round of the playoffs as the Kansas City Chiefs’ quarterback, further solidifying his legacy against the Houston Texans, who have yet to achieve a victory in this stage of the playoffs.
In a commanding performance, Mahomes connected with his close friend Travis Kelce seven times for 117 yards and a touchdown. Kansas City’s defense was relentless, sacking Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud eight times, leading the Chiefs to a 23-14 victory. This win catapults the two-time defending Super Bowl champions into the AFC title game for the seventh consecutive year. They become the fourth team in NFL history to reach the conference championship after winning back-to-back Super Bowls, joining a club whose previous members all faced defeat in their following title game. Next weekend, the Chiefs are set to clash with either the Bills or Ravens at Arrowhead Stadium, who are set to battle it out in Buffalo on Sunday.
“It’s been a special journey,” Mahomes commented on their playoff run, adding a personal touch as his wife, Brittany, recently gave birth to their third child. Reflecting on cherished memories, he reminisced about moments from the World Series when he was a child.
The Chiefs (16-2) continue to chase an unprecedented third consecutive Lombardi Trophy, buoyed once more by the presence of Kelce’s girlfriend, Taylor Swift, and WNBA superstar Caitlin Clark. Mahomes threw for 177 yards and a touchdown, uplifting his playoff record to 16-3, which ties him with Joe Montana for the second-most playoff victories by a starting quarterback in NFL history, just behind Tom Brady. Moreover, Mahomes and Kelce played a part in Andy Reid becoming one of only four coaches to reach 300 career wins. Reid humorously remarked about his weight while acknowledging the team’s achievement.
Meanwhile, the atmosphere was less jovial in the Texans’ locker room, as they remained winless in six divisional playoff endeavors against Kansas City. Stroud managed to throw for 245 yards, though he faced immense pressure and was sacked eight times. Running back Joe Mixon, who had been dealing with an ankle injury, managed to rush for 88 yards and scored the Texans’ sole touchdown. Kicker Ka’imi Fairbairn’s game was marred by a missed 55-yard field goal attempt, a failed PAT, and a blocked field goal attempt that could have narrowed the gap late in the game.
Reflecting on the loss, Texans coach DeMeco Ryans pointed out self-inflicted errors that plagued their performance. “We can’t afford mistakes in games like this,” Ryans stated. “We had issues with special teams, defensive coverages, and the offensive line’s protection of our quarterback. That creates an uphill journey.”
Problems with special teams were evident from the start for Houston, as the Chiefs almost scored on a kick return. Kansas City’s initial advantages included scoring a couple of field goals, but they eventually found the end zone thanks to an aggressive run from Kareem Hunt, establishing a 13-3 lead before halftime.
Houston managed to keep the score close with a 48-yard field goal, and an energized squad returned for the second half. Stroud orchestrated a lengthy 15-play drive, impressively converting four third downs, culminating with a touchdown run from Mixon. However, Fairbairn’s missed extra point after the touchdown proved costly, and Kansas City took back momentum with a methodical response that featured an 81-yard drive, highlighted by a touchdown connection between Mahomes and Kelce.
Despite having opportunities for a tying score, Houston’s drives ended unsuccessfully, with Stroud being sacked on one drive and making incomplete passes on another. Kansas City, now in control, advanced toward the Texans’ interior, and Harrison Butker sealed the game with a field goal, solidifying their win.
Kelce emphasized the importance of concentrating on the next steps, saying, “We’re fortunate to have many strong characters in our squad. While we relish this victory, our focus is now on the AFC championship game. You can’t earn a three-peat without focusing on what’s ahead.”
Injury updates noted that Texans linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair sustained a knee injury, while Chiefs safety Bryan Cook underwent concussion evaluations but returned to play. Safety Justin Reid also dealt with a significant hit but remained in the game.
Looking ahead, the Chiefs will host the AFC Championship game next Sunday, marking the sixth time in seven years they’ve reached this pivotal point, ready to take on either the Bills, who previously defeated them, or the Ravens, who lost to Kansas City earlier in the season.
