Divisional Round at Chiefs: Final Thoughts and Score Prediction
A Herculean effort will be necessary to pull this win off
The Kansas City Chiefs stand between the Houston Texans and franchise history. A year ago the Texans were a half of football away from the first AFC Championship in franchise history. The task is tougher this year but DeMeco Ryans, C.J. Stroud, and the Texans are here again.
They’re in for a tough test. A rested and healthy Chiefs team will be tougher than when Houston headed to Kansas City last month. Patrick Mahomes and Andy Reid don’t lose in the divisional round. I’ll spare you the details but they’re the best duo ever in this round.
Despite the perfect record to this point, they’re not unbeatable. This Chiefs team feels like their voodoo could run out at any time. The Texans are playing better than last month when they headed to Kansas City. Azeez Al-Shaair will play after missing the previous game. The defense is clicking. The offense showed signs of life after Stroud corraled a fumble against the Chargers and turned it into an explosive play.
There’s something there for the Texans in this showdown with the AFC’s best.
It should be close. That’s the first hope for this one. While it seemed unlikely this is where the Texans would end up this season, it would still feel somewhat catastrophic to be crushed in back-to-back years in the same spot in the playoffs. Keep it close. While most might not believe the Texans have the juice to win, they have all the abilities to improve from their divisional performance from last year.
A win for the Texans would be the biggest in franchise history. It would cement the direction and key building blocks for this team. It would also continue a season that while rocky has a chance to be special.
There’s no shame in losing the Chiefs, even this version in the divisional round. How this team performs in this one helps clarify the potential and future of the organization. It paints a clearer picture of what is possible in the coming years. A win starts to paint a picture of what is possible in the coming years, and weeks.
Let’s see what it all looks like when the final whistle blows in Kansas City.
Score Prediction
The Chiefs will win 23-17 in overtime. This will be closer than the experts think. I believe the defense can keep this within striking distance all day. I keep coming back to the lack of weapons in this matchup. The Chiefs have many places where Patrick Mahomes can confidently get the ball. The Texans have two in Nico Collins and Joe Mixon. The Chiefs can take them out making it tough for the Texans to move the ball and pull away. Kansas City gets the ball first in overtime and the defense finally gives out. Both teams are allowed a possession so the Chiefs go for two and don’t get it but the Texans can’t match. Game over.
Or we can get the ball first in overtime, or they get it and we get a pick 6. It’s the playoffs and a new season. You can say we are gonna win, and not chalk it up to being a homer.
Hope it's a battle to the end.......Could go either way.
I have HOPE for these Texans........I just don't have FAITH they will show up and show out??
I have no idea who wins........I just know it's gonna be a wild one to watch!!!!!!
2? - 2?........Coin flip
GO TEXANS!!!!