Texans vs. Chiefs takeaways: Mahomes-Kelce return to championship formula is evident as the Chiefs maintain their quest for an unprecedented three-peat in the NFL.
In contrast, the Texans find themselves struggling to escape the divisional round, a challenge that has proven too great for them.
Following Saturday’s defeat, the Texans now hold an unfortunate record of 0-6 in divisional round matchups throughout their history.
Here are the key insights gained from the Chiefs and Texans matchup on Saturday:
Chiefs: While discussions abound regarding the formidable presence of the Bills, led by an impressive Josh Allen, and the Ravens’ new dynamic with Derrick Henry, the Chiefs remain the team to beat in the Super Bowl race.
Their divisional-round victory showcased two critical aspects: 1) an elite defense and 2) the unbreakable connection between Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce, a duo that continues to shine. This partnership is the same driving force that secured their Lombardi Trophy last season.
Under the guidance of Steve Spagnuolo, the Chiefs’ defense excelled against the Texans. They executed a mix of four-man fronts and blitzes, resulting in a staggering eight sacks of quarterback C.J. Stroud, delivered by six different players: George Karlaftis (3), Chamarri Conner (1), Charles Omenihu (1), Chris Jones (1), Felix Anudike-Uzomah (1), and Tershawn Wharton (1). This performance stands out, especially considering Kansas City’s pass-rushing struggles during the regular season, where they ranked 18th in pressure rate and sacks.
While one might argue that the Texans’ offensive line issues contributed to this dominance—given that Stroud was the second-most sacked quarterback in the regular season—the Chiefs’ ability to excel in such a high-stakes game is a promising sign for their upcoming conference championship. Momentum plays a significant role in football.
On the offensive side, Mahomes and Kelce demonstrated their trademark synergy once again. Mahomes successfully connected on seven of his eight attempts to Kelce, who amassed 117 receiving yards, including a touchdown in the fourth quarter from a remarkable falling throw. Kelce’s 49-yard catch and run in the second quarter was pivotal in setting up the Chiefs’ opening score.
Kansas City has developed a new identity that builds on their previous success.
This evolution is a continuation from last season.
Texans: Houston faces a significant challenge in revamping their offensive strategy.
While it’s clear that the offensive line requires improvement—Stroud endured a career-high eight sacks during this game—there are deeper issues at play.
The Texans managed to score only 14 points in what was their most crucial game of the season. Prior to their wild-card victory over the Chargers, they had not scored 30 points in a game since mid-November. Their performance metrics indicate they ranked average or below average in several key offensive areas, compounded by persistent execution and playcalling problems throughout the year.
Despite showcasing a championship-caliber defense this season, the trajectory of the unit under coach DeMeco Ryans remains promising. However, unless the Texans can significantly enhance their offensive capabilities by 2025, they will likely continue to lag behind elite teams like the Chiefs, Ravens, and Bills in the AFC.
