The Kansas City Chiefs are one of the most established teams in the NFL and have plenty of postseason experience heading into their divisional round playoff game against the Houston Texans on Saturday, January 18th. There is.
The Chiefs have proven over the past few seasons that they can win a playoff game and a Super Bowl title, but past success is hardly a guarantee that Kansas City will be able to handle this weekend’s game against the Texans.
This week, Pro Football Network experts weighed in on why the Chiefs will have a hard time beating Houston in the playoffs.
See PFN’s comments below.
Editor’s note: This is the second in a two-part series on whether the Chiefs will beat the Texans in the divisional round of the NFL playoffs. Part 1 focused on how Kansas City could beat Houston.
Reason #1
KANSAS CITY, MO – DECEMBER 21: Houston Texans No. 7 C.J. Sucks after Kansas City’s 27-19 victory at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium on December 21, 2024 in Kansas City, Missouri. Troud and No. 15 Patrick Mahomes of the Kansas City Chiefs meet. (Photo by David Urit/Getty Images)
“The Chiefs never won in the first quarter and were outscored by an average of 3.5 points in the first half. With CJ Stroud starting, the Texans are +3.9 points in the first half.”
Reason #2
January 11, 2025. Houston, Texas, USA. Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert, 10, is hit by Houston Texans defensive end Denico Autry, 96, during the third quarter of the AFC Wild Card Game at NRG Stadium. I was fired. Required Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images
“The Texans posted a season-high non-blitz pressure rate of 50% against the Chargers in the wild-card round, continuing a trend that is very much in the right direction.
Weeks 1 to 14: Non-blitz pressure rate 30.8% (NFL rank: 18th) Week 15 to WC: Non-blitz pressure rate 37.2% (NFL rank: 8th)
Reason #3
December 21, 2024. Kansas City, Missouri, USA. Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins, 8, faces off against Houston Texans cornerback Derek Stingley Jr., 24, during the first half at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Required Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images
“The Texans have six of their top seven third-down games either on the road or against playoff teams, both of which are true in this spot, and both teams played at Arrowhead (Houston) in Week 16. That afternoon, he converted a season-high 53.8% on third downs. ”
Reason #4
December 21, 2024. Kansas City, Missouri, USA. Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) is hit by Houston Texans defensive tackle Tommy Togiai (72) while throwing during the first half at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. . Required Credit: Denny Medley-Imagn Images
“The Chiefs finished with their own metric (10.69-6.31) at 4.31 wins. The Colts had the next highest at +2.71. The Texans also beat expectations by 2.41 wins.”
More Chiefs content
October 5, 2014. Santa Clara, California, USA. San Francisco 49ers linebacker Patrick Willis (52) walks in during player introductions before the game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Levi’s Stadium. Required Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
