Chiefs-Texans takeaways: Houston defense further dims Kansas City’s playoff hopes

By Jesse Newell and Alex Valdes

Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs have been pulling off miracles for years. The Houston Texans defense wasn’t having any of that Sunday night.

Houston intercepted Mahomes three times and stopped Kansas City on two fourth-down tries in the second half to win 20-10 at Arrowhead Stadium in a game with major AFC playoff implications.

The Texans (8-5) are one game behind the Jacksonville Jaguars in the AFC South. The Chiefs, who have been to the Super Bowl for three straight years, are now 6-7 and need lots of help to get a wild-card spot.

Stroud comes through when needed

Houston quarterback C.J. Stroud didn’t lead an efficient offense for most of the night, but he came through in a few huge moments to lift his team.

There was none bigger than a third-and-3 midway through the fourth quarter. Stroud evaded Chiefs defensive tackle Chris Jones as a free rusher — a loss could’ve taken the Texans out of field goal range — then rolled right before finding receiver Jayden Higgins for an 8-yard gain.

Two minutes later, running back Dare Ogunbowale finished the possession with a 5-yard go-ahead touchdown.

Stroud saved his best for third downs all night. He also converted a third-and-17 and a third-and-16, extending numerous drives by escaping initial pressure before rolling and finding open receivers downfield. — Jesse Newell, Chiefs beat writer

New reality for Chiefs

The Chiefs, after going to each of the last three Super Bowls, are left with a 2025 playoff path that is no longer in their control.

After falling to 6-7, Kansas City now has a 16 percent chance to make the postseason, according to The Athletic’s playoff simulator. Not only that, but if the Chiefs win each of their next four games, they’ll still have only a 52 percent chance to make the dance, meaning they need not only wins of their own but also losses from many of the AFC teams ahead of them.

It’s a stunning one-season fall for a Chiefs team that has at least reached the AFC Championship Game in each of Mahomes’ seven previous seasons as the starter. K.C. is also in danger of missing the postseason for the first time since 2014. — Newell

Texans flounder in third quarter

Houston’s offense took advantage of big plays to take a 10-0 lead into halftime. The momentum stalled after coming back from the locker room, though.

The Texans had four consecutive three-and-outs in the third quarter as Stroud went 0-for-8 passing. Houston combined for negative-2 yards on those possessions.

One big issue was the line play. The Chiefs’ Chris Jones and George Karlaftis streamed free for numerous pressures, and Stroud also sailed too many passes when he had opportunities to make plays. — Newell

Chiefs literally drop the ball

In a season full of errors, Kansas City once again failed to rise to the occasion in important moments Sunday.

The most glaring example came late. On a fourth-and-4 late in the fourth quarter, Mahomes stepped up in the pocket to deliver a strike to receiver Rashee Rice, who dropped it. It was the second straight game with a drop for him on a critical late down.

With one more gasp late, Mahomes hit tight end Travis Kelce downfield, but he bobbled the ball up in the air to allow it to get intercepted by Houston linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair. Kelce had a similar play in Week 2 at home against the Philadelphia Eagles, bobbling a catchable pass to a defender for an interception that was the biggest play in that 20-17 Chiefs loss.

The Chiefs had problems with drops all night, with six balls bouncing off their hands that could’ve resulted in positive plays. It was just another frustrating game in a season of them for a team not used to making these sorts of mistakes in previous years. — Newell

Chris Jones brings the energy again

The Chiefs defensive tackle was the inspirational leader for his team’s previous come-from-behind home victory, firing up the crowd in a critical moment in K.C.’s recent overtime win over the Indianapolis Colts.

A similar scenario played out Sunday, as Jones sparked his team’s defense out of halftime as the Chiefs trailed by 10 — even if it wasn’t ultimately enough.

Jones blew up the Texans’ first two plays of the half, then held his hand to his ear while urging the home fans to get even louder. That individual effort was the beginning of a Houston three-and-out, and K.C.’s offense responded with a touchdown drive to get back in the game.

Jones created havoc all night, though he also was just-this-close to a couple of would-be sacks that could’ve swung huge plays back in the Chiefs’ favor. — Newell