Texans vs. Chiefs score, live updates: Kansas City’s road to a 3-peat opens vs. Houston in divisional round

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Inevitable is a word that’s been thrown around about the Kansas City Chiefs throughout this season, as they try to march toward a historic third straight Super Bowl title. They opened 13-0, and their only two losses in the regular season were at Buffalo and at Denver in Week 18 with the No. 1 seed locked up and the starters on the bench.

They’ve won every way imaginable this season, and while good teams make their own luck, that has some thinking Kansas City might be vulnerable. While playing up — or sometimes apparently down — to its competition isn’t in question, the rust vs. rest argument may come into play. The Chiefs haven’t played a meaningful game in the standings since Christmas Day — a 24-day layoff for the Chiefs’ top players.

The Texans and Chiefs met in Week 16, on the Saturday before Christmas, a 27-19 K.C. win.

The Texans were last seen making short work of the Los Angeles Chargers, 32-12 in the wild-card round. Joe Mixon rushed for 106 yards and a touchdown, and C.J. Stroud threw for 282 yards and a score. He and head coach DeMeco Ryans became just the third quarterback-head coach combo — along with Mark Sanchez and Rex Ryan (Jets), and Joe Flacco and John Harbaugh (Ravens) — to win playoff games in their first two NFL seasons together. A Texans upset would mean the first AFC championship game appearance in franchise history.

Partly cloudy skies and cold temperatures are expected for Saturday afternoon in Kansas City, with kickoff temps expected around 20 degrees and potentially dropping into the teens as the sun goes down.

How to watch Texans vs. Chiefs: AFC Divisional playoff

Time: 4:30 p.m. ET
Location: GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium | Kansas City, Mo.
TV Channel: ABC, ESPN
Streaming: ESPN+, Fubo

Live15 updates

Sat, January 18, 2025 at 4:53 PM EST

C.J. Stroud limping

C.J. Stroud limped off the field after being tackled by George Karlaftis, perhaps with an ankle injury. He’s getting checked out on the sideline, but appears to be all right.
Sat, January 18, 2025 at 4:50 PM EST

Field goal: Texans 3, Chiefs 3

After a 13-yard pass from C.J. Stroud to Nico Collins gave Houston a 1st-and-10 at the Chiefs’ 14-yard line, the Texans’ drive stalled.

Joe Mixon ran for no gain, followed by an incomplete pass from Stroud and a two-yard scramble.

Ka’imi Fairbairn ties the game with a 30-yard field goal.
Sat, January 18, 2025 at 4:46 PM EST

Chiefs’ Trent McDuffie to the medical tent

Chiefs cornerback Trent McDuffie was shaken up while tackling Joe Mixon on 2nd-and-5. He came out of the game and went to the blue medical tent to get checked out.

However, McDuffie is now back in the game after missing five plays.
Sat, January 18, 2025 at 4:44 PM EST

Stroud to Schultz for 34 yards

Houston gets an explosive play on its opening drive with C.J. Stroud hitting Dalton Schultz for a 34-yard pass. That moves the Texans to the Kansas City 35-yard line.
Sat, January 18, 2025 at 4:41 PM EST

Field goal: Chiefs 3, Texans 0

The Texans’ defense holds after that big kickoff return by the Chiefs. Isiah Pacheco loses a yard on his first carry, then Patrick Mahomes throws two incomplete passes.

Kansas City has to settle for a field goal and Harrison Butker kicks a 32-yarder for a 3–0 lead.
Sat, January 18, 2025 at 4:39 PM EST

Eventful opening kickoff

Houston won the coin toss and will defer to the second half. So the Chiefs’ offense will take the field first.

Nikko Remigio returned the kickoff 63 yards for Kansas City, but fumbled while being tackled by Kris Boyd. Samaje Perine recovered for the Chiefs.

Boyd was then flagged 15 yards for taking of his helmet, giving the Chiefs the ball at Houston’s 13-yard line. He followed that blunder up with a shove of special teams coach Frank Ross. What a start, Houston.
Sat, January 18, 2025 at 4:33 PM EST

National anthem hitting Chris Jones in the emotions

Lanell Lightfoot’s rendition of the national anthem before kickoff got Chiefs defensive tackle Chris Jones feeling his emotions.
Sat, January 18, 2025 at 4:24 PM EST

Will Mahomes be rusty?

A big storyline early on will be whether or not Patrick Mahomes is rusty after a long layoff — 23 days, to be exact.

Patrick Mahomes has had 23 days of rest before today’s game vs. Texans.

Longest stretch for any non-injured QB before a playoff game prior to this — Warren Moon’s 22 days in 1994, vs. the Chiefs — a game the Oilers lost 28-20 as 7-pt favorites. pic.twitter.com/K6TE47FMT3

— Evan Abrams (@EvanHAbrams) January 18, 2025
Sat, January 18, 2025 at 4:20 PM EST

Chiefs defeated Texans in Week 16

The Chiefs and Texans played during the regular season in Week 16 and Kansas City won, 27–19.

Patrick Mahomes passed for 260 yards and one touchdown, completing 28-of-41 passes. Xavier Worthy caught seven passes for 65 yards and a score. Kareem Hunt had 11 carries for 55 yards and a TD. Mahomes also ran for a TD.

For Houston, C.J. Stroud completed 23-of-39 passes for 244 yards, two TDs and two interceptions. Tank Dell notched six receptions for 98 yards and a TD. Joe Mixon rushed for 57 yards on 14 carries.
Sat, January 18, 2025 at 4:06 PM EST

Joe Mixon good to go for Texans
Sat, January 18, 2025 at 3:45 PM EST

QB1s checking in
Sat, January 18, 2025 at 3:15 PM EST
Sat, January 18, 2025 at 3:04 PM EST

Inactives for Chiefs-Texans
Sat, January 18, 2025 at 3:02 PM EST

Taylor’s in the house for Texans-Chiefs
Sat, January 18, 2025 at 3:00 PM EST