Houston Texans vs. Kansas City Chiefs: live game updates, stats, play-by-play

On January 18, 2025, the Houston Texans and the Kansas City Chiefs face off in a highly anticipated AFC playoff matchup. This game will have massive implications for both teams as they look to advance deeper into the playoffs and potentially vie for a Super Bowl appearance. As both teams have experienced a season full of highs and lows, the pressure is on for each side to execute well on game day.

The Houston Texans, under head coach DeMeco Ryans, have quickly established themselves as a force to be reckoned with in the AFC. Rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud has exceeded expectations and led the team to an impressive regular season. With a defense featuring stars like Will Anderson Jr. and Derrick Stingley Jr., the Texans have found their identity as a well-rounded and resilient team.

Meanwhile, the Kansas City Chiefs, led by Patrick Mahomes, continue to be a dominant force in the NFL, having earned another AFC West title under head coach Andy Reid. While their defense has occasionally shown weaknesses, the Chiefs’ offense remains one of the most potent in the league, and Mahomes’ ability to lead in crucial moments is unrivaled. With weapons like Travis Kelce and Isiah Pacheco, the Chiefs are built to win high-scoring shootouts.

As we dive into this live coverage, we’ll provide continuous updates, stats, and play-by-play analysis of this exciting playoff contest between the Texans and Chiefs.

First Quarter

Kickoff:
The Texans win the coin toss and elect to receive, sending C.J. Stroud and the offense to take the field first. The Chiefs will kick off with Harrison Butker handling the honors.

Drive 1 – Texans’ Offense: The Texans start with solid field position at their own 30-yard line.

• 1st and 10: Stroud opens the game with a quick pass to Nico Collins, who gains 6 yards on a slant route.
• 2nd and 4: Stroud hands it off to Javonte Williams, who breaks a tackle and picks up 9 yards for a first down.
• 1st and 10: The Chiefs’ defensive line pressures Stroud, but he escapes and fires a deep pass to Tank Dell down the sideline. It’s incomplete as L’Jarius Sneed had tight coverage.
• 2nd and 10: Stroud connects with Brevin Jordan for a 5-yard gain over the middle.
• 3rd and 5: The Chiefs bring a blitz, but Stroud remains calm in the pocket and delivers a dart to Collins, who makes a diving catch for a first down at the Chiefs’ 41-yard line.
• 1st and 10: Williams gets the handoff again but is quickly met by Chris Jones and tackled for a loss of 2 yards.
• 2nd and 12: Stroud attempts a quick screen pass to Robert Woods, but Nick Bolton is all over it, dropping Woods for another loss, bringing up 3rd and 15.
• 3rd and 15: Stroud tries to go deep to Dell, but Travis Kelce intercepts the ball after a deflection, and the Texans’ drive stalls out at the Chiefs’ 43-yard line.

Turnover on Downs:
Texans’ drive ends with no points, and the Chiefs take over at their own 43-yard line.

Drive 2 – Chiefs’ Offense: Mahomes and the Chiefs’ offense now take the field for their first possession of the game.

• 1st and 10: Mahomes hands it off to Isiah Pacheco, who bursts through the line and picks up 8 yards.
• 2nd and 2: Mahomes looks for Travis Kelce on a quick slant, but Jalen Pitre knocks the ball away, bringing up 3rd and 2.
• 3rd and 2: Pacheco gets the ball again and powers forward for a 4-yard gain and a first down.
• 1st and 10: Mahomes drops back and surveys the field, finding Rashee Rice for a 12-yard gain over the middle to move into Texans’ territory.
• 1st and 10 at the Texans’ 36-yard line: Mahomes fakes the handoff to Pacheco and takes it himself, scrambling for a 5-yard gain before sliding down.
• 2nd and 5: Mahomes delivers a perfect pass to Kelce on a seam route for a 16-yard gain and another first down at the Texans’ 15-yard line.
• 1st and 10: Mahomes steps up in the pocket and delivers a quick pass to Marquez Valdes-Scantling, who gets tackled after a 4-yard gain.
• 2nd and 6: Mahomes tries to hit Kelce in the end zone, but Derrick Stingley Jr. makes a brilliant play to break up the pass.
• 3rd and 6: Mahomes is pressured by Will Anderson Jr., but manages to throw it to Valdes-Scantling for a 6-yard gain, setting up a 4th and Goal at the 1-yard line.
• 4th and Goal: The Chiefs opt to go for it, and Mahomes sneaks it himself into the end zone for the first touchdown of the game. Kansas City Chiefs 7, Houston Texans 0.

Touchdown Chiefs
Patrick Mahomes takes it himself for a 1-yard rushing touchdown.

Drive 3 – Texans’ Offense: The Texans start at their own 25-yard line after a touchback.

• 1st and 10: Stroud opens with a short pass to Williams, who picks up 4 yards.
• 2nd and 6: Stroud connects with Dell for a 10-yard gain, moving the ball to midfield.
• 1st and 10 at the Chiefs’ 47-yard line: Stroud throws a deep pass to Collins, who makes a spectacular catch at the 5-yard line, setting up first-and-goal.
• 1st and Goal: The Texans run it with Williams, who powers through for a 3-yard gain.
• 2nd and Goal: Stroud looks for Jordan in the end zone, but the ball is tipped by Sneed, leading to an incomplete pass.
• 3rd and Goal: Stroud keeps it himself on a read-option play, but he’s hit hard at the 1-yard line by Bolton.
• 4th and Goal: The Texans are forced to kick a field goal, and Ka’imi Fairbairn successfully converts the 22-yard attempt.

Field Goal Texans
Kansas City Chiefs 7, Houston Texans 3.

Second Quarter

Drive 4 – Chiefs’ Offense: The Chiefs begin at their own 40-yard line after a solid return from Jerick McKinnon.

• 1st and 10: Mahomes finds Kelce over the middle for a 15-yard gain, moving the Chiefs into Texans’ territory.
• 1st and 10 at the Texans’ 45-yard line: Mahomes passes to Pacheco, who picks up 6 yards after the catch.
• 2nd and 4: Mahomes tries a deep pass to Valdes-Scantling, but it’s overthrown and incomplete.
• 3rd and 4: Mahomes looks for Rice on a crossing route, but Pitre is right there for the breakup, bringing up 4th and 4.
• 4th and 4: The Chiefs are forced to punt the ball back to the Texans after a solid defensive stand from Houston.

Punt Texans’ Ball
The Texans take over at their own 20-yard line.

Drive 5 – Texans’ Offense: Houston looks to capitalize on the Chiefs’ defensive stop.

• 1st and 10: Stroud starts with a quick out to Woods, who gains 7 yards.
• 2nd and 3: Stroud hands it off to Williams, who fights for 5 yards and a first down.
• 1st and 10: Stroud throws deep for Collins, who makes a fantastic leaping catch down the sideline for a 35-yard gain to the Chiefs’ 28-yard line.
• 1st and 10: The Chiefs’ defense steps up, as Chris Jones sacks Stroud for a 7-yard loss on first down.
• 2nd and 17: Stroud tries to connect with Woods on a screen, but it’s snuffed out by Sneed for a 4-yard loss.
• 3rd and 21: Stroud attempts a deep pass to Dell, but Justin Reid makes a great play to intercept the ball at the 1-yard line.

Turnover Chiefs’ Ball
The Chiefs take over at their own 1-yard line after the interception.

Halftime: Kansas City Chiefs 7, Houston Texans 3

Third Quarter

Drive 6 – Chiefs’ Offense: Kansas City starts the second half with the ball at their own 25-yard line.

• 1st and 10: Mahomes connects with Kelce for a 14-yard gain to start the drive.
• 1st and 10 at the 39-yard line: Mahomes hands off to Pacheco, who is met by Anderson for a 2-yard gain.
• 2nd and 8: Mahomes drops back and finds Rice on a quick slant for a 12-yard pickup and another first down.
• 1st and 10 at the Texans’ 47-yard line: Mahomes passes deep to Valdes-Scantling, who is unable to make the catch, bringing up 2nd and 10.
• 2nd and 10: Mahomes scrambles and hits Kelce for a 9-yard gain, setting up 3rd and 1.
• 3rd and 1: Pacheco plows forward for 3 yards, keeping the drive alive.

The Chiefs are now knocking on the door with their offense firing on all cylinders.