This season hasn’t been ideal for Kansas City Chiefs fans, who have grown accustomed to the “winning ways” of Andy Reid, Patrick Mahomes, and Travis Kelce. Dominating their opponents in such a fashion it rivaled the Tom Brady-led New England Patriot era and the stranglehold they had on the AFC East division, almost eclipsing that and having fans all over the NFL wondering, ‘when is this going to end’. Although it may not be a definitive indictment on the Three-time Super Bowl Champions, with their play this season some would say the Kansas City Chiefs may be coming back down to earth.
Being left in a really tough spot now after their Week 14 loss to the Houston Texans, as now every game is now presented under the guise that it is a ‘must-win’ game for the Chiefs. Whether they make the playoffs or not they should be playing the rest of the season with something to prove. Not just to the fans but also to themselves.
C.J. Stroud threw for 203 yards and a touchdown, Dare Ogunbowale scored on a go-ahead 5-yard rush in the fourth quarter, and as for the Houston defense? They kept Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs in check, leading the Texans to a 20-10 win over Kansas City. With the win against the Chiefs, extended Houston’s winning streak to five games and kept them at just one game behind Jacksonville in the AFC South.
Wide receiver Nico Collins had four catches for 121 yards, while CJ Stroud praised his defense for their efforts. Mahomes, hampered by a depleted offensive line, was just 14 of 33 for 160 yards with three interceptions. The last interception came late in the fourth quarter as the Chiefs tried to force overtime.
While the win was a huge boost for Houston’s playoff hopes, the loss for Kansas City means, they now fall to 6-7 on the season, making this the team’s worst start through 13 games since 2012.
Houston’s dominance and the Chiefs’ struggles were both on display in the first half of the SNF matchup. Stroud connected with Collins for 46 and 53-yard gains that set up a field goal and a short touchdown toss to Woody Marks. Meanwhile, Kansas City suffered two more injuries, with left tackle Wanya Morris and cornerback Trent McDuffie leaving the game. The Chiefs managed just 98 first-half yards and was down 10-0 at halftime. This was only the fourth time in Mahomes’ career the team was scoreless in the first half of a game.
The Chiefs cut the lead to 10-10 in the second half on a Kareem Hunt touchdown run and a Harrison Butker field goal, but the game was decided on two fourth-down possessions in the fourth quarter. After Houston punted on a fourth-and-1 from its own 35, the Chiefs failed on a fourth-and-1 of their own, and then a few plays later Ogunbowale ran in the go-ahead touchdown. Rashee Rice later dropped a wide-open fourth-down pass, and Mahomes was intercepted on the final drive to secure the win for the Texans.
Up next for the Chiefs will be the Los Angeles Chargers in a premiere matchup between two divisional rivals battling it out as they did against each other earlier in the season in Sao Paulo, Brazil.
The Chargers won that game 27-21.
Mahomes was picked off 3 times. Best advice I could give? Shake it off Chiefs fans..
Waiting for CJ Stroud and the Texans will be the Arizona Cardinals who are coming off of a 27-24 OT loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars.
The Texans have won five in a row and are up to 86% odds to make the playoffs.
Texans remaining schedule
Dec. 14: vs. Cardinals
Dec. 21: vs. Raiders
Week 17 (TBD): at Chargers
Week 18 (TBD): vs. Colts
The Chiefs have just a 15% chance of making the playoffs now, according to the NFL.com. While it’s not impossible, they will have to be perfect the rest of the way in order to make the playoffs.
Chiefs remaining schedule
Dec. 14: vs. Chargers
Dec. 21: at Titans
Dec. 25: vs. Broncos
Week 18 (TBD): at Raiders
