The Chiefs kicked off the NFL’s divisional round with a 23-14 win over the Texans to advance to next Sunday’s AFC Championship Game.
Here are three takeaways from Kansas City’s seventh consecutive divisional-round win.
Knee-jerk reaction: The Chiefs can keep getting away with it
Looking at the teams’ stats, one would think the Texans won. Easily. Houston was 10-of-17 on third downs — compared to Kansas City’s 4-of-11 mark. The Texans gained 336 yards while holding the Chiefs to 212, and they had a substantial time-of-possession advantage, 33:26-26:34.
But yet again, Kansas City won ugly. It hasn’t been easy for the Chiefs, who have 11 one-possession wins this season. Still, they seemingly always do enough to get by.
They might be the least convincing 16-win team in NFL history, but with one of the league’s best defenses and three-time Super Bowl MVP Patrick Mahomes guiding the offense, they can easily trip into a third consecutive Lombardi Trophy.
The Lions (15-2), Eagles (15-3), Ravens (13-5) and Bills (14-4) pass the eye test with higher marks, but it would be unwise to discredit Kansas City’s chances. Despite rarely looking like the dominant force that it has been throughout their dynastic run, the Chiefs are only two wins away from another championship. If we were in Kansas City, we’d clear our schedules for the Monday after the Super Bowl. That party will last all night.
Game MVP: Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce
The all-time playoff receptions leader had his best game of the year at the perfect time. Kelce finished Kansas City’s win with seven receptions, 117 yards and a touchdown. It was his most receiving yards in a playoff game since Kansas City’s 2020 Super Bowl loss to the Buccaneers and only his second 100-yard receiving game this season.
Afterward, Mahomes spoke with ESPN’s Lisa Salters, who asked about Kelce coming through in the playoff setting.
“You know 8-7 is going to show up whenever it’s a big-time moment,” Mahomes said. “Everybody was asking, ‘Where’s Travis Kelce?’ He showed the world where he’s at.”
Quote of the game: “Oh, come on!”
ESPN “Monday Night Football” commentators Joe Buck and Troy Aikman were incredulous after a dubious third-quarter penalty against the Texans.
Mahomes slid late on a quarterback scramble as Texans defensive tackle Folorunso Fatukasi and linebacker Henry To’oTo’o converged on him. They were involved in a helmet-to-helmet collision just above Mahomes, which drew a flag from officials.
“Oh, come on!” an exasperated Troy Aikman shouted in disgust as head referee Clay Martin called unnecessary roughness on To’oTo’o.
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