Chiefs beat Texans to advance to AFC Conference Championship: Game Summary
The Divisional Round matchup between AFC’s Kansas City Chiefs and Houston Texans got off to a slow start, with both team’s defenses keeping the others’ out of the end zone for most of the first half. The Chiefs eventually found their momentum, but the Texans kept it a close game in the 3rd quarter. The last quarter was another story as the Chiefs dominated the Texans on both sides, finally winning the game 23-14.
Chiefs stars show out
Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes finished with 177 passing yards and one touchdown. If you believe in Taylor Swift’s voodoo magic, then it checks out that a good chunk of those yards were in favor of her boo, tight end Travis Kelce. Kelce caught seven of his eight targets for 117 yards, including one 49-yard catch and run and one 11-yard touchdown grab.
Texans stars fall short
Meanwhile, Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud threw for 245 yards and no touchdowns. He had no interceptions but was sacked eight times (three for which George Male was responsible). Stroud injured his knee early on in the game and was able to continue after receiving some treatment on the sideline, but late in the game, he was hurt again and seen limping off the sideline.
Running back Joe Mixon had 18 carries for 88 yards and the Texans’ one touchdown. Unfortunately for them, their usually reliable kicker Fairbair had an off day dealing with all the cold wind in KC. He missed a 55-yard field goal attempt, an extra point attempt that would have tied the game, and had a field goal, which would have kept their hopes of winning alive, blocked with 1:46 left in the game.
What’s next?
The Texanslike last year, have been eliminated in the Divisional Round. In the six Divisional games they’ve played in, they’ve never been able to make it past that point.
The Chiefson the other hand, will advance to the AFC title game for the seventh year in a rowjust one behind the record-holding New England Patriots, who made it to eight straight in the Tom Brady era.
Mahomes has now tied Joe Montana for the second-most wins in NFL playoff history with a 16-3 record, behind only Brady. They will continue their quest to become the only NFL team to win three consecutive Super Bowls next week in the AFC Conference Championship. They will face either the Buffalo Bills or the Baltimore Ravens.
Jennifer Bubel
