KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Houston Texans treated Sunday night’s trip to Arrowhead Stadium like business as usual — even if everything around it suggested otherwise.
They were facing a franchise that had ruled the AFC for years, a team that ended their season last January, and a matchup that carried major playoff implications. None of that changed their approach.
“It was just our next opportunity,” head coach DeMeco Ryans said. “The focus was on execution and playing our style of football. That’s what we did.”
It didn’t need to be flashy — just effective.
C.J. Stroud threw for 203 yards and a score, Houston’s defense suffocated Patrick Mahomes, and the Texans left with a 20–10 win that kept them firmly in the AFC postseason hunt.
Nico Collins was dominant again, finishing with four receptions for 121 yards, while Dare Ogunbowale’s 5-yard touchdown plunge in the fourth quarter put the Texans in front for good. Houston (8–5) won its fifth straight and stayed within one game of Jacksonville in the AFC South.
“We came here to take care of business,” Ryans said. “Nothing more than that. Find a way to win — whatever it takes.”
Mahomes, playing behind a battered offensive line, endured one of the roughest nights of his career. He completed just 14 of 33 passes for 160 yards, threw three interceptions, and failed to produce a touchdown. The last pick sealed the loss with Kansas City trying to force overtime.
“Our defense was incredible,” Stroud said. “Coverage, pressure, the whole unit — they made life hard all night.”
The victory energized Houston’s postseason push while dealing a massive blow to Kansas City’s. The defending AFC champions fell to 6–7 — their worst start through 13 games since 2012.
“You don’t get these games back,” Mahomes said. “We had our chances. We just didn’t finish.”
The Chiefs had beaten Houston five straight times, including last season’s playoff meeting. But these teams looked nothing alike from that January matchup.
The surging Texans resembled a contender. Kansas City looked like a group fighting for survival.
The opening half captured the story: Collins hauled in receptions of 46 and 53 yards, setting up a Ka’imi Fairbairn field goal and Stroud’s short touchdown throw to Woody Marks. Meanwhile, Kansas City watched left tackle Wanya Morris and top corner Trent McDuffie leave with injuries, compounding the Chiefs’ existing issues up front.
“We had guys battling who hadn’t worked much in practice,” coach Andy Reid said. “They fought — we just didn’t execute well enough.”
Kansas City produced only 98 yards before halftime and trailed 10–0. It was only the fourth time the Chiefs were shut out in the opening half with Mahomes at quarterback.
Still, the defense tightened. Stroud opened the third quarter with eight straight incompletions, and the Chiefs clawed back on Kareem Hunt’s touchdown and Harrison Butker’s field goal.
From there, the night came down to two fourth-down calls.
Tied 10–10, Houston punted on fourth-and-1 from its own 35. Kansas City faced the same situation moments later at its 31 and gambled. Mahomes threw incomplete, and the Texans capitalized. Ogunbowale powered in from 5 yards to restore the lead.
The Chiefs faltered again on fourth down when Rashee Rice dropped a wide-open pass. Kansas City had one last possession, but Mahomes’ third interception sealed the result.
“We still have life,” defensive tackle Chris Jones said. “It may be a small chance — 5, 10 percent — but we have a chance. As long as that door is cracked open, we fight.”
Injuries
Texans: RB Nick Chubb (ribs) exited in the first half and did not return.
Chiefs: RG Trey Smith (ankle) and RT Jawaan Taylor (triceps) were inactive. Morris (knee) and McDuffie (knee) were injured during the first half.
Up Next
Houston hosts Arizona next Sunday.
Kansas City faces the Chargers at Arrowhead.
