Kansas City Chiefs (14-1) – Houston Texans (9-6): 27-19
As usual with Kansas City, the final score was close. But this time the Chiefs didn't really have to worry. Over the entire match, the Texans were only in front for five minutes, at the start of the second quarter.
Clean but not really exciting, Patrick Mahomes (28/41, 260 yards, 1TD; 5 races, 33 yards, 1TD) provided the essentials.
Conversely, CJ Stroud (23/39, 244 yards, 2TDs, 2ints) blew hot and cold. The two touchdown passes are magnificent, but the two interceptions are very costly in a game where they represent the only turnovers.
Two costly interceptions
The start of the meeting is totally to the advantage of the locals. However, it is the Texans attack which opens the ball, but CJ Stroud is intercepted. As if he wanted to prove to everyone that his ankle is fine, Mahomes signs two runs of 12 and 15 yards. The second ends in the endzone and Kansas City opens the score, 7-0.
This conceded touchdown will have the merit of waking up the Texans. A field goal, followed by a touchdown from Dalton Schultz (5 receptions, 45 yards, 1TD) allows Houston to take the lead. A short-lived advantage. It's the turn of the reigning champions to react. Three yards from the endzone, Karim Hunt (11 races, 55 yards, 1TD) gives the advantage back to the Missouri franchise, 14-10.
Less than five minutes before the break, CJ Stroud had the opportunity to regain the score. But the Texans quarterback will make his second error of the game. In 3&20 on the opposing 40, he tries to gain a few yards to make the work of his kicker easier. A decision that was costly since he was intercepted for the second time in the game. Instead of potentially coming back to 1 point, Houston will finally concede an additional field goal just before the break. At halftime, the Chiefs were ahead, 17-10.
Houston slowed down by loss of Tank Dell
The return from the locker room is favorable to the Texans. After quickly taking the Chiefs offense off the field, Houston gets closer to the score. On a magnificent 30-yard pass, Stroud connected with Tank Dell (6 receptions, 98 yards, 1TD) who severely injured his knee in the process. The extra point is missed 17-16.
Taken out on a stretcher, the receiver will be sorely missed by his team. In his absence, the next three possessions in favor of the Texans ended with two punts and a field goal.
In the meantime, Mahomes and the Chiefs have not been idle. The Kansas City quarterback will first find Xavier Worthy (7 receptions, 65 yards, 1TD) for the third touchdown of the evening for the locals. He will then eat up the clock with a possession of almost 7 minutes, concluded with a field goal. 4 minutes from the end of the game, the Chiefs lead 27-19 and have the ball in hand. They will never return it to their opponent.
With this 14th victory of the season, Kansas City almost secures first place in the AFC conference and the week off that goes with it. Already deprived of Steffon Diggs for several weeks, the Texans will have to do without Dell for the future. This defeat condemns them to fourth place in the AFC and it's hard to imagine them going far in the playoffs without 2 of Stroud's 3 favorite targets.
