Texans vs. Chiefs score, live updates: Kansas City eyes top seed in ...

13 hours ago

Yahoo Sports

Share on XTweet

Texans vs Chiefs score live updates Kansas City eyes top seed in

Patrick Mahomes' ankle looked fine and the Chiefs beat the Texans to move one step closer to clinching the AFC's No. 1 seed.

There has been only one team to win 16 regular-season games. That was the 2007 New England Patriots.

If the Kansas City Chiefs match the 2007 Patriots, it won’t carry the same weight. They are playing 17 games, not the 16 that was the NFL norm for years. But they might be on their way to a 16-1 record.

So much attention has been paid to how the Chiefs win that them winning almost every week has been overshadowed. The Chiefs improved to 14-1 this season and are closing in on getting the AFC’s No. 1 seed after a 27-19 win over the Houston Texans on Saturday. It was the 16th straight win for the Chiefs in one-score games, extending their NFL record streak. It wasn’t a particularly dominant performance but it had a familiar result.

The Chiefs have won in strange and sometimes unbelievable ways. They’ve rarely blown anyone out this season. But they keep winning, and might end up with as many regular-season wins as any team in NFL history.

Chiefs play another tight game

Since the Chiefs were playing, it wasn’t a surprise that it was a close game.

Kansas City struck first. Patrick Mahomes suffered what was described as a mild high ankle sprain last week, and there was a brief concern over his availability for this weekend’s game, but Mahomes played and had some nice runs early. His 15-yard touchdown run opened up the scoring.

The Texans battled back. QB C.J. Stroud had a nice touchdown pass across his body to tight end Dalton Schultz. He also had a 30-yard touchdown pass to Tank Dell but it was costly. Houston receiver Jared Wayne dove for the deep pass and inadvertently dove into Dell’s knee. It was immediately clear Dell had suffered a serious injury. He was carted off while his teammates were emotional. Stroud was in tears and had to be consoled by teammates.

That injury seemed to understandably affect the Texans. They missed the extra point right after the Dell touchdown. The Chiefs drove on their defense, with Xavier Worthy catching a touchdown pass to extend Kansas City’s lead to 24-16.

The Chiefs are hard enough to beat in ideal conditions. The Texans missing one of their best receivers, and worried about him as he left the field on a cart, didn’t help them. Houston didn’t score a touchdown after Dell’s injury.

Chiefs pull out another win

Clearly, the Chiefs have an edge in close games. The second half on Saturday looked like a lot of other Kansas City games.

In the fourth quarter, the Chiefs had a 14-play drive that took 6:33 off the clock. It ended with a field goal, but that kept the pressure on the Texans to be perfect.

Houston couldn’t come up with its own long drive after that. Trailing 27-19, Stroud was sacked on third down and the Texans punted. Mahomes hit Samaje Perine for a big conversion on third-and-4 to chew up more clock. Kareem Hunt had a first-down run after the two-minute warning to seal it.

The Chiefs have an 89% chance of getting the No. 1 seed after the win, NBC said on its broadcast. They’ll clinch the top seed with a win at the Steelers on Christmas Day next week. A 15-1 Chiefs team wouldn’t have anything to play for in Week 18 and could sit some players. But a 15-2 regular season, coming off back-to-back Super Bowls, would be remarkable.

As time goes on, how the Chiefs piled up all those wins will be forgotten. It will just be viewed as another dominant Chiefs team, which is perhaps on its way to a historic championship.

LIVE COVERAGE IS OVER21 updates

Sat, December 21, 2024 at 10:07 PM GMT+1

Kareem Hunt puts the game away, Chiefs win 27-19

A 20-yard run by Hunt gives the Chiefs the first down and ends any chance for a Houston comeback. The Texans are out of timeouts and Patrick Mahomes runs out the clock with two kneel downs.

Kansas City improved to 13-1 and will finish the season undefeated at home (8-0), while the Texans fall to 9-6.
Sat, December 21, 2024 at 9:53 PM GMT+1

Chiefs add field goal, lead 27-19

Harrison Butker's second field goal of the game, a 27 yarder, puts the Chiefs up by eight points with 5:18 to play.
Sat, December 21, 2024 at 9:32 PM GMT+1

Texans settle for field goal

The Texans were threatening to score a touchdown, but their 14-play, 50-yard drive ends with a 38-yard field goal by Fairbairn.

Kansas City remains on top 24-19 with 11:51 to play in the fourth quarter.
Sat, December 21, 2024 at 9:21 PM GMT+1

Chiefs extend their lead with Xavier Worthy TD

Another long Chiefs drive — 10 plays, 80 yards — ends with an 8-yard touchdown catch by Xavier Worthy.

Chiefs take a 24-16 lead.
Sat, December 21, 2024 at 9:13 PM GMT+1

Texans WR Tank Dell (knee) ruled out for the game
Sat, December 21, 2024 at 9:07 PM GMT+1

Ka'imi Fairbairn missed the extra point after Dell was taken away by medical personnel.

Chiefs remain on top 17-16.
Sat, December 21, 2024 at 8:58 PM GMT+1

Tank Dell injures leg on Texans touchdown

The Texans wide receiver collided with Jared Wayne as he caught the 30-yard pass by CJ Stroud.

Texans players were emotional as Dell was being attended to by medical personnel in the back of the end zone.

Dell missed the remainder of the 2023 season after suffering a fractured fibula in Week 13 of last year.
Sat, December 21, 2024 at 8:28 PM GMT+1

Harrison Butker FG extends Chiefs' lead

Kansas City will take a 17-10 lead into the half.
Sat, December 21, 2024 at 8:24 PM GMT+1

Trent McDuffie stops Texans' drive with an INT

Stroud tries to avoid a sack, but throws into the arms of McDuffee, who stalls a Texans' drive with 50 seconds to play in the first half.

Samaje Perine picked up 36 yards on a rush on the very next play to put the Chiefs in scoring position.
Sat, December 21, 2024 at 8:10 PM GMT+1

Kareem Hunt puts the Chiefs back on top

Kareem Hunt barrels his way in for a 3-yard touchdown and the Chiefs take the lead back.

14-10 KC with 4:38 to play in the 2nd quarter.
Sat, December 21, 2024 at 7:59 PM GMT+1

A potential fumble recovery for touchdown by the Texans is ruled incomplete. On top of that, the Texans get a roughing the passer call on Derek Barnett after he hits Patrick Mahomes in the helmet while trying to tackle him.
Sat, December 21, 2024 at 7:51 PM GMT+1

Texans take the lead on a Dalton Schultz touchdown

A 13-play, 82-yard drive ends with Stroud finding an uncovered Schultz in the end zone for a 10-yard score.

Texans take a 10-7 lead with 10:09 left in the first half.
Sat, December 21, 2024 at 7:46 PM GMT+1

Chiefs LB Jack Cochrane out for the game

Cochrane left in the second quarter with an ankle injury. After being evaluated and labeled as questionable to return, he has been downgraded to out.
Sat, December 21, 2024 at 7:42 PM GMT+1
Sat, December 21, 2024 at 7:31 PM GMT+1

Texans G Shaq Mason questionable to return

Mason injured his knee during the first quarter.
Sat, December 21, 2024 at 7:26 PM GMT+1

Texans get on the board with field goal

Ka'imi Fairbairn's 33-yard field goal cuts the Chiefs' lead to 7-3 late in the first quarter.
Sat, December 21, 2024 at 7:18 PM GMT+1

Patrick Mahomes runs it in for Chiefs touchdown

Patrick Mahomes' ankle looks good as the Chiefs QB rushes for 12 yards. On the next play, fourth down, Mahomes finds Hollywood Brown for a 12-yard gain. That was Brown's first catch of the season after being out since August with a shoulder injury.

Mahomes then finishes off the drive with a 15-yard touchdown for the first score of the game.

It is the 18th drive this season for the Chiefs that lasted 10 plays or more.
Sat, December 21, 2024 at 7:10 PM GMT+1

Jaden Hicks picks off CJ Stroud early in the 1st quarter
Sat, December 21, 2024 at 6:51 PM GMT+1

Special guest arrives for Chiefs-Texans
Sat, December 21, 2024 at 6:41 PM GMT+1

Patrick Mahomes ready to go
Sat, December 21, 2024 at 6:00 PM GMT+1

Chiefs, Texans inactives