Kansas City Chiefs Edge Houston Texans 23-14, Eye Return to Super Bowl

The Kansas City Chiefs secured a 23-14 playoff victory over the Houston Texans, with Travis Kelce and Patrick Mahomes leading the charge, to advance to their seventh consecutive AFC Championship game.

The Kansas City Chiefs secured their seventh consecutive AFC Championship berth with a gritty 23-14 playoff win over the Houston Texans on Saturday. Tight end Travis Kelce played a pivotal role in the victory, scoring a touchdown and setting up another to help propel the Chiefs towards a potential return to the Super Bowl.

Kelce's impressive performance was complemented by quarterback Patrick Mahomes, as the dynamic duo proved too much for the Texans to handle. Kelce finished the game with 117 receiving yards from seven receptions, while Mahomes threw for one touchdown and accumulated 177 passing yards. The Chiefs' victory was a testament to the team's resilience and determination, as they overcame a stubborn Texans lineup to advance to the AFC Championship.

Patrick Mahomes heaped praise on tight end Travis Kelce, who delivered a clutch performance in the Chiefs' 23-14 playoff win over the Houston Texans. “You know 87's gonna show up whenever there's a big-time moment and he did that,” Mahomes said, referencing Kelce's jersey number. Mahomes added, “Everybody's been asking 'Where's Travis Kelce at?' I think he showed the world where he's at.” Kelce's impactful display helped the Chiefs secure their seventh consecutive AFC Championship berth.

The Chiefs' defense was equally impressive, unleashing a fierce pass rush that terrorized Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud. Stroud was sacked eight times, highlighting the Chiefs' defensive dominance. The victory at Arrowhead Stadium sets the stage for the Chiefs' seventh straight AFC Championship game appearance, where they will host either the Baltimore Ravens or the Buffalo Bills.

The win also marked a significant milestone for Chiefs head coach Andy Reid, who secured his 300th career victory – becoming only the fourth head coach in NFL history to achieve this feat. As the Chiefs aim to make history by becoming the first team to win three consecutive Super Bowls, they got off to a promising start in the game. Receiver Nikko Remigio sparked the team with a thrilling 63-yard return on the opening kickoff, weaving his way deep into Texans territory and setting the tone for the Chiefs' eventual victory.

Although the Chiefs started strongly, with Nikko Remigio's 63-yard return on the opening kickoff, they were unable to capitalize on the opportunity. Instead, they settled for a 32-yard field goal by Harrison Butker, taking an early 3-0 lead. The Texans promptly responded with a field goal of their own, courtesy of Ka'imi Fairbairn, levelling the score.

The Chiefs regained the lead at the end of the first quarter, thanks to Butker's second field goal, this time from 36 yards. The score stood at 6-3 in favour of the Chiefs. As the second quarter got underway, the familiar partnership between Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce began to make its presence felt. Mahomes connected with Kelce on a short pass, which Kelce turned into a 49-yard gain, putting the Chiefs in prime position to score.

The Chiefs capitalized on Kelce's big play, with Kareem Hunt rushing for a touchdown from close range. This extended the Chiefs' lead to 13-3. However, the Texans managed to trim the deficit just before halftime, courtesy of Fairbairn's second field goal. The score at the break stood at 13-6 in favour of the Chiefs.

In the third quarter, the Texans orchestrated a impressive 15-play, 82-yard drive that consumed over 10 minutes of game time. The drive culminated in a 13-yard touchdown run by Joe Mixon, which should have tied the game. However, Fairbairn's missed extra point attempt left the Chiefs with a slender 13-12 lead. The Chiefs promptly took advantage of the Texans' misfortune, with Mahomes finding Kelce in the end zone for a touchdown, despite being off balance. This extended the Chiefs' lead to 20-12.

ONE STEP CLOSER. pic.twitter.com/XNsgZgdhex

— Kansas City Chiefs (@Chiefs) January 19, 2025

The Texans were unable to mount a comeback, failing to score on their next two possessions. The Chiefs, meanwhile, added to their lead with Butker's third field goal late in the fourth quarter, taking an 11-point advantage. With the game all but over, the Chiefs conceded a deliberate safety with 11 seconds remaining, surrendering possession and effectively sealing the 23-14 victory.