Texans vs Kansas City Chiefs Match Player Stats

The January 18, 2025 playoff game between the Houston Texans and the Kansas City Chiefs was full of surprises. Fans expected a tight battle, but what happened on the field shocked many. Even though the Texans controlled the game in many ways, the Chiefs still walked away with the win.

In this article, we’ll explore everything you need to know about this exciting game. We’ll go over all the important Texans vs Kansas City Chiefs match player stats, look at what went right (and wrong) for each team, and explain how key moments made all the difference. Get ready for an easy and clear breakdown of the game that had fans talking all week.

Quick Match Summary and Final Score

The final score was Kansas City Chiefs 23 – Houston Texans 14.

The game took place at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri. Despite freezing temperatures and swirling wind, over 73,000 fans came to watch this playoff matchup.

What’s really interesting is that the Texans actually had more total yards (336 vs 212), more time of possession, and better third down conversions. But football isn’t always about stats. The Chiefs found a way to win with smart plays and big moments.

Texans vs Kansas City Chiefs Player Stats Overview

Let’s look at the top performers from the game. These are the players who made the biggest impact.

• Patrick Mahomes threw for 177 yards and 1 touchdown.

• C.J. Stroud threw for 245 yards and ran for 42 more.

• Joe Mixon rushed for 88 yards and scored 1 touchdown.

• Travis Kelce caught 7 passes for 117 yards and a touchdown.

• On defense, George Karlaftis had 3 sacks, and Will Anderson Jr. had 2 sacks.

These stats show how close the game was. Both teams had stars stepping up when it mattered most.

Quarterback Stats: Mahomes vs Stroud

Patrick Mahomes was cool and calm under pressure. He completed 16 of 25 passes for 177 yards and one touchdown. He didn’t throw any interceptions and took 3 sacks. His passer rating was 98.3, which shows how well he managed the game.

C.J. Stroud, on the other hand, had a strong performance in tough conditions. He completed 19 of 28 passes for 245 yards and no interceptions. He also ran 6 times for 42 yards. But he was sacked 8 times and lost 58 yards because of those sacks.

This matchup between the two quarterbacks was exciting to watch. Stroud played well but took too many hits. Mahomes, with his playoff experience, made the smarter plays at the right time.

Rushing Leaders from Both Teams

Joe Mixon led all runners with 88 yards on 18 carries. He scored a key touchdown in the third quarter. His longest run was just 13 yards, but he kept pushing forward and helped Houston stay in the game.

Kareem Hunt was Kansas City’s top rusher with 44 yards and one touchdown. He ran only 8 times, but his score in the second quarter gave the Chiefs a nice lead. Patrick Mahomes also added 14 yards on the ground with a few short scrambles.

The Texans had more success running the ball, with 149 total rushing yards. But the Chiefs were more effective when it counted, especially near the end zone.

Receiving Stats: Kelce Breaks Records

This game was another big moment for Travis Kelce. He caught 7 passes for 117 yards and scored a touchdown. His 49-yard catch was the longest of his playoff career. Even more amazing—this was his ninth 100-yard playoff game, breaking Jerry Rice’s all-time record.

On the Texans’ side, Nico Collins had 5 catches for 81 yards. Dalton Schultz added 63 yards, and Xavier Hutchinson had 52. They moved the ball well, but none of them reached the end zone.

Kelce’s performance was a big reason the Chiefs won. He was the go-to guy when Mahomes needed a play—and he delivered.

Texans vs Chiefs Defensive Stats Breakdown

Defense played a huge role in this game.

For the Chiefs, George Karlaftis had the best game of his career. He made 3 sacks, 4 quarterback hits, and 7 total pressures. He also sealed the win with a sack on fourth down in the final quarter. Other Chiefs like Chris Jones, Chamarri Conner, and Tershawn Wharton also had big plays and sacks.

The Texans had some bright spots too. Will Anderson Jr. had 2 sacks and 3 tackles for loss. But he also made a costly mistake in the first quarter—roughing the passer on third down. That penalty kept a Kansas City drive alive and led to a field goal.

Both defenses were aggressive, but Kansas City’s pressure on C.J. Stroud (56% of dropbacks) changed the whole game.

Special Teams: Field Goals, Returns, and Costly Misses

Special teams made a big difference in this game.

Harrison Butker, the Chiefs’ kicker, had a perfect day. He made all 3 field goals and both extra points. His kicks kept the scoreboard moving when the offense stalled.

Ka’imi Fairbairn, the Texans’ kicker, had a rough day. He missed a long 55-yard field goal, a short extra point, and had a 35-yard field goal blocked late in the game. That’s 7 total points missed, which could have changed the result.

On kick returns, Nikko Remigio had a big 63-yard return to start the game but fumbled. That gave Kansas City great field position and helped them score early. Those small moments had a big impact on the final score.

Texans vs Kansas City Chiefs Game-Changing Plays

There were a few plays that completely changed the direction of the game.

One of the biggest moments was in the fourth quarter, when Patrick Mahomes made a magical play. He was being pulled down by a defender but still threw a perfect pass to Travis Kelce for a touchdown. That gave Kansas City a 20–12 lead and a big boost.

Later, George Karlaftis sacked C.J. Stroud on fourth down. That ended Houston’s last chance to take the lead.

Near the end, the Chiefs did something surprising. They told their punter to take an intentional safety with 11 seconds left. Instead of risking a blocked punt, they gave up 2 points and ran out the clock. The final score changed from 23–12 to 23–14. This also caused some drama for people who bet on the game spread.

Full Team Stats: Who Dominated the Field?

If you just looked at the stats, you’d think Houston won this game.

• Texans had 336 total yards, while the Chiefs had only 212.

• Texans held the ball longer: 33 minutes vs 26 minutes.

• Houston converted 10 of 17 third downs, while Kansas City converted just 4 of 11.

• Texans had zero turnovers and still lost.

This game showed that numbers aren’t everything. The Chiefs made the most of their chances and came up big in key moments. Meanwhile, the Texans moved the ball well but didn’t finish drives with touchdowns.

Weather, Field Conditions, and Game Impact

The weather in Kansas City was icy and windy. Temperatures were below freezing, and the wind swirled around the stadium.

These tough conditions made kicking harder. It’s likely part of the reason Fairbairn missed two key kicks, and a field goal was blocked. Even punts and long throws were affected by the cold.

Still, both teams played hard and adjusted the best they could. The Chiefs’ experience in cold playoff games gave them a small edge.

History Made During the Match

This game wasn’t just exciting—it was also historic.

Patrick Mahomes earned his 16th career playoff win, tying him with Joe Montana for second-most ever. Only Tom Brady has more.

Travis Kelce made history too. With 117 receiving yards, he now has nine career 100-yard playoff games, breaking Jerry Rice’s old record. That’s a huge milestone in NFL history.

The Chiefs also reached their seventh straight AFC Championship Game, proving they are still one of the best teams in football.

What This Means for the Season Ahead

For the Houston Texans, the message is clear—protect your quarterback. C.J. Stroud was sacked eight times in this game, and over 50 times during the regular season. The offensive line needs serious help if the team wants to go further next year.

For the Kansas City Chiefs, this game showed they can win even when their offense isn’t perfect. They used defense, smart plays, and experience to survive and advance. That’s what great teams do.

With another AFC Championship Game coming up, the Chiefs are chasing another Super Bowl, and their key players—Mahomes and Kelce—are still playing at a high level.

Bottom-Line

The Texans vs Kansas City Chiefs match player stats tell a story of missed chances and key moments. Houston looked strong on paper but couldn’t finish drives or make field goals when needed. The Chiefs, on the other hand, used big plays and strong defense to take the win.

This game was a reminder that playoff football is about more than numbers. It’s about timing, execution, and making the right move at the right time.

Whether you’re a Texans fan, a Chiefs fan, or just love great football, this match gave us a lot to talk about—and some history to remember.

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