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Chiefs down Texans in another one-score win: Results, highlights

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December 23, 2024

Chiefs down Texans in another one-score win: Results, highlights

The Kansas Metropolis Chiefs got here into Week 16 with considerations about how quarterback Patrick Mahomes would take care of struggling a “gentle” high-ankle sprain within the staff’s Week 15 win over the Cleveland Browns.

Mahomes rapidly put these worries to mattress in Kansas Metropolis’s 27-19 victory over the Houston Texans. He confirmed he was wholesome by scrambling for 27 yards and a landing on two carries on Kansas Metropolis’s open drive and by no means seemed again.

Mahomes completed the day going 28-of-41 for 260 yards and a landing. He related properly with Marquise “Hollywood” Brown (5 catches, 45 yards) in his staff debut whereas additionally persevering with to see his chemistry with rookie Xavier Worthy (seven catches, 65 yards, one landing) develop.

In consequence, the Chiefs now have to win simply as soon as extra to clinch the AFC’s No. 1 seed. They will additionally clinch the highest seed if the Buffalo Payments lose any of their last three video games.

The Texans had a preventing likelihood on this one-score loss, and it appeared they’d modified the momentum when C.J. Stroud hit Tank Dell for a 30-yard landing to chop the Chiefs’ result in 17-16 early within the third quarter.

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Nevertheless, Dell suffered a gruesome-looking knee harm on the play. He needed to be carted off the sphere in an air solid, which left many Texans gamers emotional.

After the harm and delay, Ka’imi Fairbairn missed an additional level, which set the tone for the remainder of the sport. The Dell harm took the wind out Houston’s sails offensively and the staff merely could not overcome the lack of its No. 2 receiver throughout from Nico Collins. The Texans scored simply three extra factors and dropped to 9-6, positioning the AFC South winner because the possible No. 4 seed within the AFC playoff image.

USA TODAY Sports activities offered reside updates, highlights and extra from the Chiefs-Texans Saturday matchup beneath.

Kareem Hunt seals Chiefs win with 13-yard run

On the primary play after the two-minute warning, Hunt runs up the center for 13 yards. The Chiefs can kneel on it from right here and earn their 14th win of the 2024 NFL season.

Texans go three-and-out, want defensive cease to beat Chiefs

The Chiefs obtained a key sack of C.J. Stroud on a third-and-11 after Kansas Metropolis’s subject aim drive. Joshua Williams got here on a cornerback blitz and no person picked him up, forcing the Texans to punt with simply 3:41 left in regulation.

Houston has simply two timeouts and the two-minute warning left to cease the clock. With a few first downs, the Chiefs might be able to run the clock out on this recreation.

Chiefs accept subject aim after Xavier Worthy knocks down cross supposed for Travis Kelce

The Chiefs re-extended their result in eight factors after Harrison Butker made a chip-shot, 27-yard subject aim to cap off a 14-play, 6:33 drive.

The Texans obtained a much-needed cease on third-and-5 when Patrick Mahomes launched a cross towards Kelce at the back of the end-zone. Worthy flashed in entrance of the tight finish, together with a defender, and went for the ball, assuming it was supposed for him. The rookie could not make the catch and denied Kelce an opportunity at grabbing it.

In equity to Worthy, the defender might have been in a position to knock the ball down anyway, as Mahomes’ cross got here in on a low trajectory. Both approach, Kansas Metropolis leads 27-19 with 5:13 left within the fourth quarter.

Texans inch nearer with Fairbairn subject aim

The Texans had a golden alternative within the pink zone, however fixed strain from the Chiefs protection and a delay of recreation penalty pushed Houston to aim a Ka’imi Fairbairn subject aim. That pushed the Texans to inside a landing, 24-19.

Patrick Mahomes finds Xavier Worthy for landing cross

Xavier Worthy accounted for 46 yards of offense on Kansas Metropolis’s scoring drive, and he capped it off with a landing seize from the arm of Patrick Mahomes.

Mahomes is 21-of-31 passing for 190 yards and two touchdowns on the day because the Chiefs lengthen their result in 24-16 with 2:42 left within the third quarter.

Tank Dell harm: Texans vast receiver carted off with grotesque knee harm

The Texans vast receiver was finally taken off the sphere in a medical cart after his harm. The Texans would affirm that Dell suffered an harm to his left knee.

Ka’imi Fairbairn misses further level after Tank Dell stretchered off in air solid

Play resumed at Arrowhead Stadium after Dell acquired a number of minutes of medical consideration on the sphere. He was stretchered off in an air solid after getting harm on the Texans’ landing after struggling a serious-looking knee harm.

The Texans have been shaken up after the harm, with a number of gamers displaying emotion in its wake. It is not clear if that had an influence on Fairbairn, however the veteran kicker missed his first further level try of the season following the delay. In consequence, the Chiefs nonetheless lead 17-16.

C.J. Stroud, Texans gamers emotional after Tank Dell harm

The NBC broadcast in the reduction of to Arrowhead Stadium to point out Dell nonetheless down and being tended to on the sphere, with a cart out of the locker room. The cameras then confirmed a clearly emotional Stroud, who was among the many gamers gathered round Dell.

Tank Dell catches 30-yard landing, harm on the play

The excellent news for the Texans: C.J. Stroud hit Dell on a wonderfully thrown 30-yard landing cross. The unhealthy information: Dell was hit by his teammate whereas making the catch and suffered an obvious leg harm throughout the play.

Dell instantly reached for his leg after the play. The Texans medical workers instantly got here out to are inclined to him on the sphere.

Texans protection forces punt on first drive after Kamari Lassiter breaks up Patrick Mahomes cross

The Texans protection obtained off to a great begin within the second half. They restricted the Chiefs to 5 performs on their first drive earlier than forcing Mahomes right into a third-and-long. The quarterback tried to get the ball to Xavier Worthy, however Lassiter broke up the cross after undercutting the route.

Tank Dell had a pleasant return of Matt Araiza’s punt and that gave the Texans nice beginning subject place round midfield.

What’s the Kansas Metropolis mascot?

The Chiefs’ mascot is a wolf often known as KC Wolf. He was launched in 1989 and “has been bringing power and pleasure, in addition to laughs and smiles to audiences of all ages,” in response to the staff’s official web site.

Texans halftime stats vs. Chiefs

Houston’s offense has moved the ball properly towards Kansas Metropolis’s protection, however the staff has been responsible of loads of detrimental performs. That features two interceptions and some negative-yardage runs and display screen cross efforts.

Beneath is a have a look at the Texans’ notable first-half stats:

C.J. Stroud: 16-of-25 passing, 149 yards, 1 TD, 2 INTs
Joe Mixon: 7 carries, 37 yards, 1 catch, 14 yards
Tank Dell: 5 catches, 68 yards
Nico Collins: 5 catches, 45 yards
Dalton Schultz: 2 catches, 12 yards, 1 TD

Chiefs halftime stats vs. Texans

Patrick Mahomes is spreading the ball round as normal within the Chiefs’ Week 16 recreation towards the Texans, however it’s turning into clear that Hollywood Brown goes to be one in every of his favourite targets now that the veteran is again from an injured collarbone.

Beneath is a have a look at the Chiefs’ notable first-half stats:

Patrick Mahomes: 13-of-20 passing, 127 passing yards, 27 dashing yards, 1 TD
Kareem Hunt: 2 carries, 8 yards, 1 TD
Hollywood Brown: 3 catches, 38 yards
Xavier Worthy: 4 catches, 26 yards
Travis Kelce: 2 catches, 15 yards

Chiefs lead Texans 17-10 at halftime

The back-and-forth first half between the Chiefs and Texans got here to an finish after a C.J. Stroud Hail Mary try was knocked down on the aim line.

Kansas Metropolis has gotten a robust displaying from Patrick Mahomes, who’s displaying no indicators of the ankle harm he handled main as much as the Week 16 contest. He has accomplished 13-of-20 passes for 127 yards whereas including a landing and 27 yards on the bottom.

In the meantime, Stroud has been shakier, making some large passing performs, together with a 10-yard landing to Dalton Schultz, however has additionally tossed two interceptions.

The Chiefs are set to get the ball first after halftime. They scored 10 unanswered factors to shut the half.

Chiefs vs. Texans rating replace: Harrison Butker subject aim provides Chiefs 17-10 lead

After lacking a 29-yard subject aim on his lone try final week, Butker makes his first try in Week 16 from 44 yards away. That offers the Chiefs the lead with 19 seconds left within the half.

C.J. Stroud interception: Texans QB tosses second choose of first half

The Texans have been dealing with a third-and-20 on the sting of subject aim vary when Stroud tried to pressure a cross amid strain. The end result? Stroud hit Trent McDuffie over the center of the sphere, and that allowed Chiefs to get the ball again with just below a minute left within the half.

Kareem Hunt punches in 3-yard landing run to present Chiefs lead

The Chiefs are again on high after a simple rating for Hunt. The veteran again entered the sport on a first-and-goal and patiently waited for the Chiefs’ inside offensive line to open a lane for him to the end-zone. It developed, he noticed it and powered by way of the ultimate yard to place the Chiefs up 14-10.

Kansas Metropolis’s go-ahead drive coated 82 yards and was 13 performs lengthy. The Chiefs transformed 4 third downs on the drive and can now look to guard a lead with 4:38 left till halftime.

Did Marquise Brown change his identify?

No, Brown’s first identify remains to be Marquise. He simply prefers to go by his nickname “Hollywood,” which most broadcasts at the moment are doing.

Why is Marquise Brown referred to as Hollywood?

Brown grew up in Hollywood, Fla., which is how he earned the nickname. It lends itself properly to him given his origins and his flashy, speedy type of play when wholesome.

Texans whistled for roughing the passer on Patrick Mahomes

A wierd play simply unfolded in Saturday’s Chiefs vs. Texans recreation. Houston pressured Patrick Mahomes and appeared to pressure the quarterback to fumble. The Texans picked up the ball and introduced all of it the best way to the tip zone for a landing.

Nevertheless, the play was later dominated an incomplete cross simply earlier than Derek Barnett was referred to as for roughing the passer. As such, the Chiefs prevented a third-and-10 and took the ball throughout midfield whereas the Texans have been denied an opportunity to go up by two scores.

What number of instances has Patrick Mahomes been sacked in 2024?

Mahomes had been sacked 35 instances getting into Week 16. That’s simply probably the most he has ever been sacked in a single season, seven greater than his earlier profession excessive of 28 in 2021.

Dalton Schultz catches 10-yard TD from C.J. Stroud

Stroud confronted strain from George Karlaftis on a first-and-goal from the 10-yard line however scrambled out to his proper to create time to throw. Ultimately, he discovered Schultz vast open in the midst of the sphere and lofted a cross to him for a simple completion.

The Kansas Metropolis crowd jeered the officers for selecting to not flag what it believed was a holding name towards the Texans on Karlaftis. Ka’imi Fairbairn transformed on the additional level to present the Texans a 10-7 lead.

Chiefs lead Texans 7-3 after first quarter

Kansas Metropolis could also be main after quarter-hour, however Houston is driving and nearing scoring vary. Nico Collins caught a 32-yard cross to shut the quarter after profitable rapidly off the road of scrimmage and forcing the Chiefs defensive again to chase him down alongside the sidelines.

C.J. Stroud is 7-of-11 for 74 yards within the early goings of the sport, although he did throw an interception on a first-drive overthrow. His counterpart, Patrick Mahomes, has gone an environment friendly 6-of-7 for 38 yards but additionally has run for 27 yards and a landing, displaying that his injured ankle is not a lot of a priority in any respect.

The Texans have been in a position to strain and sack Mahomes on their second defensive drive, one thing they could not do their first time taking part in protection. They might want to persevering with doing that to maintain Kansas Metropolis’s offense out of rhythm.

Patrick Mahomes sacked by Texans’ Christian Harris

Mahomes has been sacked extra throughout the 2024 NFL season than he has at any level throughout his profession. He took one other one on the staff’s second drive when Harris got here on a blitz and dropped the Chiefs quarterback.

Mahomes obtained up simply high quality after the hit, which was notable given his harm. The loss pushed the staff again right into a third-and-long, nonetheless, and Kansas Metropolis was pressured to punt the ball again to the Texans after failing to transform that.

Who did the Chiefs lose to this yr?

The Chiefs misplaced to the Buffalo Payments 30-21 in a Week 11 throughout which Josh Allen racked up 317 yards and two touchdowns. That marks Kansas Metropolis’s solely defeat of the 2024 NFL season by way of 15 weeks.

Texans accept subject aim to reply Patrick Mahomes TD run

C.J. Stroud and the Houston offense mounted a great response to Kansas Metropolis’s landing drive, as Nico Collins, Tank Dell and Joe Mixon ripped off some large performs to get the Texans into the pink zone. Finally, they stalled out and Ka’imi Fairbairn got here on to aim a 33-yard subject aim.

Fairbairn made the chip-shot to get the Texans on the board and make it 7-3 Chiefs.

Patrick Mahomes scrambles for TD on Chiefs’ opening drive

How wholesome is Mahomes’ injured ankle? The Chiefs quarterback is not as quick as he has normally is, however he additionally confirmed that followers should not be overly involved about his mobility being impacted by his “gentle” high-ankle sprain.

Mahomes ran for 12 yards on a third-and-13 earlier within the drive earlier than taking off from the 15-yard line later to attain a landing on a run up the center.

Mahomes now has 27 dashing yards within the first quarter of the sport. That is already the fourth-most he has recorded in a single recreation this season.

Chiefs intercept C.J. Stroud on overthrown cross to Nico Collins

The Texans confronted a third-and-12 on their first drive and Stroud tried to pressure a downfield shot to Collins in double protection. Rookie Jaden Hicks caught the overthrown cross and set Kansas Metropolis up with nice subject place on its first drive of the day.

Shaq Mason harm replace

Houston’s first drive is off to an inauspicious begin, as beginning proper guard Mason was harm simply 4 performs into it. He walked off the sphere underneath his personal energy however headed for the blue medical tent.

The Texans have been already with out beginning left guard Juice Scruggs and will likely be pressured to place both Kenyon Inexperienced or Kendrick Inexperienced into motion.

What time is Chiefs vs. Texans?

Begin time: 1 p.m. ET (Midday CT)

The Chiefs and Texans are scheduled for kick off on Saturday at 1 p.m. ET, midday CT.

Chiefs vs. Texans TV channel

NBC will broadcast the Chiefs-Texans matchup in Week 16. Noah Eagle will likely be on play-by-play, and he will likely be flanked by Todd Blackledge (shade commentary).

Is Taylor Swift on the Chiefs recreation at present?

It seems that Swift is in attendance for the Chiefs’ Saturday matchup with the Texans. She was noticed getting onto a golf cart at Arrowhead Stadium and is presumably be transported to her suite to observe her boyfriend, Travis Kelce, in motion.

Hollywood Brown harm replace

The Chiefs vast receiver, who has not performed in any respect in 2024, will make his season debut on Saturday. Brown suffered a shoulder harm throughout preseason and will likely be a significant enhance to the Chiefs vast receiver corps.

Who’re the announcers for the Chiefs-Texans recreation?

Noah Eagle (play-by-play) and Todd Blackledge (shade commentary) would be the announcers for the Chiefs vs. Texans video games. The duo normal broadcasts NBC’s package deal of prime-time faculty video games, however they have been referred to as as much as the NFL degree to permit Mike Tirico and Cris Collinsworth to name only one recreation over the weekend.

Kathryn Tappen will be part of Eagles and Blackledge as a sideline reporter.

Is Noah Eagle associated to Ian Eagle?

Sure, Noah Eagle is Ian Eagle’s son. The 28-year-old attended Syracuse and broke into sports activities media in 2019 earlier than quickly rising the ranks to change into a significant community play-by-play man.

Who’s Patrick Mahomes’ backup?

Carson Wentz is the Chiefs’ backup quarterback for the 2024 NFL season. The previous Philadelphia Eagles star signed a one-year cope with the Chiefs throughout the offseason to tackle that position after taking part in behind Matthew Stafford with the Los Angeles Rams within the second half of the 2023 NFL season.

Is Patrick Mahomes taking part in at present vs. the Texans?

On Thursday, head coach Andy Reid informed reporters he anticipated his quarterback to make the beginning. That turned out to be true, as Mahomes will to start out vs. the Houston.

Chiefs inactives vs. Texans

Patrick Mahomes and Marquise “Hollywood” Brown will each play vs. the Texans at present. Mahomes avoids lacking a recreation as a result of harm, whereas Brown is making his season debut.

Texans inactives vs. Chiefs

The Texans will likely be with out beginning guard Juice Scruggs and a handful of veteran position gamers for Sunday’s recreation towards the Chiefs. Beneath are the staff’s seven inactives for the competition:

WR John Metchie
LB Devin White
DE Jerry Hughes
G Nick Broeker
G/C Juice Scruggs
TE Cade Stover
DL Folorunso Fatukasi

Chiefs vs. Texans predictions, picks

This is how the USA TODAY Sports activities workers feels the Chiefs vs. Texans matchup will go:

Tyler Dragon: Chiefs 24, Texans 21
Jordan Mendoza: Texans 23, Chiefs 20

Chiefs vs. Texans reside stream

Stay stream: Fubo | Peacock

For twine cutters searching for a reside stream for the matchup, you may flip to Fubo. Fubo carries NBC, in addition to CBS, FOX, NFL Community and the ESPN household of networks, that means you may catch NFL motion by way of the rest of the season.

Peacock, the proprietary streaming service of NBC, can even carry the sport.

Chiefs vs. Texans odds, moneyline, over/underneath

The Chiefs are favorites to defeat the Texans, in response to the BetMGM NFL odds. Not on this recreation? Try knowledgeable picks and greatest bets for each NFL recreation this week.

Unfold: Chiefs (-3.5)
Moneyline: Chiefs (-190); Texans (+155)
Over/underneath: 42

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Who’s the highest-paid NFL participant? 

The NFL’s high 18 gamers in common annual wage are all quarterbacks, in response to OverTheCap.com. Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott turned the league’s highest-paid participant earlier than the 2024 season, agreeing to a four-year, $240 million deal. Minnesota Vikings vast receiver Justin Jefferson is the primary non-quarterback on the highest-paid checklist after placing a four-year, $140 million contract extension this offseason. 

Who’re the very best paid NFL gamers at every place?

We’ve got a whole checklist at each place: 

Chiefs vs. Texans climate updates

Mom Nature gained’t be concerned in Saturday’s matchup exterior of simply making the temperature a bit colder than normal. Temperature for kickoff is anticipated to be simply above freezing and can climb to 36 levels all through the matchup.