The Houston Texans had plenty of chances to pull off an upset over the top-seeded Kansas City Chiefs in the Divisional round of the NFL playoffs on Saturday.
The bid, which was marred by sacks and miscues, came up short.
Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs eliminate the Texans and are headed to their 7TH STRAIGHT AFC CHAMPIONSHIP đą
KC sends Houston to Cancun đ´ pic.twitter.com/bgsgpnJv9C
â Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) January 19, 2025
The Texans entered the fourth quarter down by one point and had opportunities to pull off a stunner. However, a missed extra point, a blocked field goal and several late sacks ruined any chance at playing spoiler.
The Chiefs only produced 212 yards of offense and possessed the ball for just 26 minutes and 34 seconds. The Texans, meanwhile, totaled 336 total yards and held the ball for 33 minutes and 19 seconds.
Penalties and sacks undid the Texans, as the team had eight of each. That spoiled solid efforts from quarterback C.J. Stroud, who went 19-of-29 for 245 yards, and running back Joe Mixon, who had 18 carries for 88 yards and a touchdown.
Fans took to social media to criticize the missed opportunities from Houston and the lack of competent play from the team’s offensive line.
Kansas City clinched a seventh straight AFC title game appearance and will face either the Baltimore Ravens or Buffalo Bills for a chance to advance to the Super Bowl for the fifth time in the last six seasons.
Houston, however, heads home after a 10-7 regular season and another postseason that ended in disappointment.