Mahomes and Kelce shine as Chiefs defeat Texans 23-14 to advance to AFC Championship game
Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce delivered clutch performances on Saturday, connecting for a pivotal fourth-quarter touchdown that helped the Kansas City Chiefs secure a 23-14 victory over the Houston Texans in the AFC Divisional Round. Harrison Butker added three field goals as the top-seeded Chiefs defended their home turf and advanced to host either the Baltimore Ravens or Buffalo Bills on January 26, with a Super Bowl berth on the line.
Kansas City, boasting a 15-2 regular-season record, overcame a gritty effort from the fourth-seeded Texans, who were eliminated in the divisional round for the second consecutive season.
Mahomes, who threw for 177 yards on 16-of-25 passing, delivered the game’s most memorable play early in the fourth quarter. Falling as he threw, Mahomes found Kelce in the end zone for an 11-yard touchdown that extended the Chiefs' lead to 20-12 with 11:52 remaining.
"The goal is just to continue to move on in the playoffs," Mahomes said postgame. "That was a good team football win."
Kelce, one of the NFL's most consistent postseason performers, caught seven passes for 117 yards. His contributions came amid questions about his form this season.
"You know Kelce is going to show up whenever there's a big-time moment, and he did that," Mahomes said. "Everybody was asking, 'Where's Travis Kelce at?' I think he showed the world where he's at."
Butker sealed the victory with a 27-yard field goal late in the fourth quarter, while the Texans added a safety in the game’s final seconds when Chiefs punter Matt Araiza ran out of the end zone.
Houston quarterback C.J. Stroud completed 19-of-28 passes for 245 yards but faced relentless pressure, taking eight sacks, including three by George Karlaftis. Stroud left late in the game with a leg injury. The Texans’ lone touchdown came on a 13-yard run by Joe Mixon in the third quarter, capping a marathon 10:24 drive.
Mixon led all rushers with 88 yards on 18 carries, helping Houston outgain Kansas City 336-212 in total yards. However, mistakes, including eight penalties for 82 yards and two missed field goals by Ka'imi Fairbairn, hampered the Texans' upset bid.
"We knew coming into today it was going to be us against everybody," Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said, expressing frustration with the officiating.
The Chiefs started strong, scoring on three of their first four drives. Butker’s field goals from 32 and 36 yards helped Kansas City take an early lead, while a 49-yard pass from Mahomes to Kelce set up Kareem Hunt’s 1-yard touchdown run before halftime.
Houston kept it close, with Fairbairn connecting on two field goals, but a blocked kick by Kansas City’s Leo Chenal and a missed extra point proved costly.
The win marked another milestone for Chiefs head coach Andy Reid, who earned his 300th career victory, including the postseason. Reid joins the ranks of Don Shula (347 wins), Bill Belichick (333), and George Halas (324).
"I know that means a lot to him," Mahomes said of Reid. "Three hundred wins is crazy. But I think he's trying to get to 302 at the end of this year."
With a trip to the Super Bowl now within reach, the Chiefs will look to continue their dominant postseason run.
SportsLigue