By Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs were big favorites coming into the game – after all, they are the closest thing the NFL has to a dynasty right now.
However, the Houston Texans had other ideas, and the game at Arrowhead Stadium Saturday wound up much more competitive than many people were expecting.
But in the end the Chiefs once again emerged victorious and advanced to their seventh consecutive AFC Championship game after defeating the Texans 23-14.
After the winners of back-to-back Super Bowls opened the clash with a long kickoff return on the game’s opening play, the knee-jerk reaction was to think it would be a long day for the Houstonians. But the Texans held firm only allowing a Harrison Butker field goal, which Houston promptly answered with a Ka’imi Fairbairn field goal of their own.
The Chiefs tallied another three points from Butker as both defenses were noticeably intense and solid as the first quarter ended 6-3 Kansas City.
The Chiefs were the first team to reach the end zone with a drive in the second quarter.
Mahomes found Travis Kelce wide open in the middle of the field and the tight end rumbled through tacklers for a 49-yard play down to the Houston six-yard line. The Houston D held firm but couldn’t stop a third-and-goal effort from the one-yard line – Kareem Hunt took the pitch and ran off tackle for an easy touchdown. Chiefs were now up 13-3.
The Texans did answer before halftime, once again, led by Stroud’s efforts to find John Metchie for a clutch 24-yard gain to get the Texans into field goal range. After missing a 55-yard attempt earlier in the quarter, Fairbairn obliged this time, connecting on a 48-yarder to make it 13-6 at the break.
After halftime, both teams’ offenses settled in with two long drives.
The Texans ate up most of the third quarter with a 15-play, 82-yard drive that ended in a Joe Mixon touchdown. But kicker Ka’imi Fairbairn missed the extra point, keeping the Texans a point behind at 13-12 after it appeared Houston was about to tie it up.
The Chiefs’ ensuing drive started with a hiccup before taking flight. The drive began with another connection between Mahomes and Travis Kelce, but the play was called back for offensive holding. On a third-and-six play from their own 23-yard line, Mahomes found Kelce again for another big gain, this time for 12 yards and a first down.
On the next play, Mahomes couldn’t find an open receiver and started to scramble, going over the line of scrimmage. As Texans defenders closed in, Mahomes went to slide at the very last moment and was hit by two Texans. The referees threw a flag, much to the Texans’ disgust, and Henry To’oTo’o of Houston was penalized for a 15-yard unnecessary roughness penalty that handed Kansas City an easy first down.
The Mahomes to Kelce connection continued to key the Chiefs attack on their epic 13-play, 7:44 drive.
Kelce – who had another massive playoff game under the sport’s brightest lights – picked up an 18-yard gain down to the Texans’ eight-yard line, setting up a first-and-goal. The play put Kelce over 100 yards for the day.
On third down, Mahomes showed why he remains the gold standard in big-game situations. Mahomes was in danger of getting wrapped up in the backfield for a sack, but the falling quarterback found Kelce once again, this time an 11-yard touchdown to push the lead to 20-12.
Kelce’s offensive explosion elicited joyful reactions from his superstar girlfriend Taylor Swift, who took in the game from a suite, alongside WNBA phenom – and lifelong Chiefs fan – Caitlin Clark. The pair were seen throughout ESPN’s broadcast of the game chatting, laughing and celebrating the Chiefs’ big moments.
Houston followed Kansas City’s epic drive with a fateful strategic mistake.
On a fourth-and-10, the Texans inexplicably decided to go for it despite being hurried by a dwindling play clock. Houston decided not to call a timeout as the Chiefs’ pass rush made them pay, closing out the drive by sacking Stroud for a 16-yard loss.
The Chiefs later added another Harrison Butker field goal to push Houston’s backs up against the wall.
The Texans answered with another strong drive but were undone once again by a third miscue in the kicking game.
With less than two minutes remaining in the game, Kansas City saved their biggest special teams play of the game for last, blocking the 35-yard attempt from Fairbairn to close out the Texans’ comeback attempt.
The Chiefs conceded an intentional safety with their final offensive possession, but there was no miracle finish in the cards for the Texans as the game ended 23-14.
Kansas City was lifted by a massive game from Travis Kelce, who caught seven passes for 117 yards and the touchdown that sealed this win.
After the game, Kelce gave credit to his QB.
Kareem Hunt added a touchdown and carried eight times for 44 yards to lead the Chiefs in rushing.
But once again, the real story was Mahomes. His pass to Kelce for the game’s final touchdown was simply out of this world. Falling down as he was about to be sacked, Mahomes found his favorite target wide open in the end zone. His stat line wasn’t the most impressive, but he’ll take it – 16 of 25 passing for 177 yards and one touchdown.
For head coach Andy Reid, it was his 300th career win, joining George Halas, Don Shula and Bill Belichick as the only NFL coaches to reach that plateau.
The Chiefs will await the winner of the Baltimore Ravens vs. the Buffalo Bills on Sunday.
