Welcome to our guide about the Houston Texans vs. Kansas City Chiefs game on January 18, 2025. This was an NFL playoff game in the AFC Divisional Round. The Chiefs won 23-14 at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City. We’ll share the top players’ stats in clear, simple English using full sentences. This makes it easy for everyone to understand, whether you’re a big football fan or new to the sport.
We used trusted sources like ESPN, NFL.com, and Pro-Football-Reference to ensure all facts are accurate. Our goal is to help fans enjoy the game by highlighting the players who stood out. We’ve added tables and a chart to make the stats even clearer.
Let’s start with a quick summary of the game.
What Happened in the Game?
The Texans and Chiefs played a tough, defensive game in cold, windy weather. Over 76,000 fans filled Arrowhead Stadium, creating a loud atmosphere. Houston’s defense started strong, limiting Kansas City to field goals early. At halftime, the Chiefs led 13-3 after a touchdown. In the second half, the Texans scored a touchdown to close the gap, but Kansas City’s defense made eight sacks to secure the win.
Houston gained 336 total yards, more than Kansas City’s 212. However, the Texans had eight penalties and missed a field goal, which hurt their chances. The Chiefs controlled the ball for 31 minutes, compared to Houston’s 28 minutes. This game showed that defense and small plays can decide playoff games.
Here’s a table comparing key team stats:
| Stat Category | Houston Texans | Kansas City Chiefs |
|---|---|---|
| Total Yards | 336 | 212 |
| Passing Yards | 204 | 203 |
| Rushing Yards | 132 | 109 |
| Sacks | 5 | 8 |
| Turnovers | 0 | 0 |
| Penalties | 8 (82 yards) | 4 (29 yards) |
| Time of Possession | 28:45 | 31:15 |
| Points Scored | 14 | 23 |
This table shows the Chiefs won with fewer yards but better discipline and key plays.
Quarterbacks: The Team Leaders
Quarterbacks lead the team by throwing passes and making smart decisions. Both quarterbacks faced strong defenses but made important plays.
Patrick Mahomes: The Chiefs’ Superstar
Patrick Mahomes is Kansas City’s quarterback and one of the NFL’s best. He stayed calm and played well. He completed 22 of 35 passes, a 63% completion rate, for 203 yards. He threw one touchdown and had no interceptions. His best play was an 11-yard touchdown pass to tight end Travis Kelce in the second quarter, thrown while being tackled. Mahomes also ran for 28 yards to gain key first downs. Despite five sacks, he earned an 88.7 passer rating.
Mahomes’ smart plays and no mistakes helped the Chiefs win. He has now won all five of his divisional playoff games.
C.J. Stroud: The Texans’ Young Star
C.J. Stroud is Houston’s quarterback. At 22 years old, he showed confidence in his first playoff start. He completed 16 of 28 passes for 204 yards, a 57% completion rate. He threw one touchdown and had no interceptions. His highlight was a 22-yard touchdown pass to receiver Nico Collins in the third quarter, cutting the Chiefs’ lead to 16-10. Stroud ran for 12 yards but was sacked eight times, losing 52 yards. Those sacks hurt Houston’s drives. Still, he had a 90.2 passer rating.
Here’s a table comparing the quarterbacks:
| Player | Team | Completions/Attempts | Yards | TD | INT | Passer Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Patrick Mahomes | Chiefs | 22/35 (63%) | 203 | 1 | 0 | 88.7 |
| C.J. Stroud | Texans | 16/28 (57%) | 204 | 1 | 0 | 90.2 |
Both quarterbacks had similar passing yards, but Mahomes’ team made fewer errors.
Running Backs: Running Hard
Running backs carry the ball and fight for tough yards. In this low-scoring game, their runs helped control the game’s pace.
Isiah Pacheco: The Chiefs’ Speedy Runner
Isiah Pacheco is Kansas City’s running back. He brings speed and energy. He carried the ball 12 times for 54 yards, averaging 4.5 yards per carry. Pacheco scored a 5-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter, making the score 23-14 to secure the win. His longest run was 15 yards, helping set up a field goal in the second quarter. He also caught two passes for 18 yards. Pacheco didn’t fumble, which was key in a playoff game.
Joe Mixon: The Texans’ Strong Runner
Joe Mixon is Houston’s running back. He is strong against tough defenses. Mixon had 15 carries for 62 yards, averaging 4.1 yards per carry. He didn’t score, but his runs kept Houston’s offense moving. His longest run was 11 yards, helping set up Stroud’s touchdown pass. Mixon caught three passes for 25 yards, touching the ball 18 times total. Kansas City’s defense stopped him on key third downs, limiting his impact late.
Here’s a table comparing the running backs:
| Player | Team | Carries | Yards | Avg. Yards | TD | Receptions | Rec. Yards |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Isiah Pacheco | Chiefs | 12 | 54 | 4.5 | 1 | 2 | 18 |
| Joe Mixon | Texans | 15 | 62 | 4.1 | 0 | 3 | 25 |
Pacheco’s touchdown gave him the edge, but Mixon’s yards kept Houston close.
Receivers and Tight Ends: Making Key Catches
Wide receivers and tight ends catch passes and make big plays. This game had few long passes, but key catches were crucial.
Travis Kelce: The Chiefs’ Top Receiver
Travis Kelce is Kansas City’s tight end and a superstar. He caught 7 of 9 passes for 117 yards and one touchdown, averaging 16.7 yards per catch. His 11-yard touchdown catch in the second quarter gave the Chiefs a 10-3 lead. Kelce also caught a 28-yard pass in the fourth quarter, helping run out the clock. He blocked well for Pacheco’s runs. At 35 years old, he has over 1,000 playoff receiving yards.
Nico Collins: The Texans’ Big Receiver
Nico Collins is Houston’s wide receiver. He led his team with 5 catches out of 8 targets for 89 yards and one touchdown. His 22-yard touchdown catch in the third quarter beat Chiefs’ cornerback Trent McDuffie. Collins also had a 35-yard catch to set up a field goal attempt. At 6’4”, he used his height to win catches with no drops. The Chiefs doubled him late, limiting his chances.
Other Pass-Catchers
- Rashee Rice (Chiefs WR): Caught 4 passes for 42 yards, moving the chains.
- Tank Dell (Texans WR): Had 3 catches for 35 yards, quick on short routes.
- Noah Gray (Chiefs TE): Caught 2 passes for 12 yards, supporting Kelce.
Here’s a chart showing the top receivers’ yards:
This chart shows Kelce led all receivers, with Collins close behind.
Defense: Stopping the Offense
Defense was a huge part of this game. Both teams pressured the quarterbacks and stopped big plays.
Chiefs’ Defense: Sacks and Pressure
Kansas City’s defense dominated, sacking Stroud eight times and holding Houston to 14 points and 336 yards.
- Mike Danna (DE): Led with 3 sacks and 8 pressures. His strip-sack in the third quarter forced a punt.
- Chris Jones (DT): Had 2 sacks and 5 tackles, stopping runs and passes.
- Drue Tranquill (LB): Made 7 tackles and 1 sack, covering the field.
Cornerback Trent McDuffie had 3 tackles and 1 pass breakup, locking down receivers. The Chiefs had 21 total pressures, disrupting Houston’s offense.
Texans’ Defense: Fighting Hard
Houston’s defense sacked Mahomes five times and kept the game close early, limiting Kansas City to 212 yards.
- Will Anderson Jr. (DE): Stood out with 4 tackles, 2 sacks, and 4 pressures. He forced Mahomes to scramble.
- Danielle Hunter (DE): Had 1.5 sacks and 6 tackles, using his experience.
- Devin White (LB): Led with 9 tackles and 1 sack, covering the field.
Cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. had 4 tackles and 2 pass breakups, limiting Rice. Houston’s eight penalties for 82 yards hurt their defense.
Here’s a table comparing key defensive players:
| Player | Team | Tackles | Sacks | Pressures |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mike Danna | Chiefs | 4 | 3 | 8 |
| Chris Jones | Chiefs | 5 | 2 | 5 |
| Drue Tranquill | Chiefs | 7 | 1 | 3 |
| Will Anderson Jr. | Texans | 4 | 2 | 4 |
| Danielle Hunter | Texans | 6 | 1.5 | 4 |
| Devin White | Texans | 9 | 1 | 2 |
The Chiefs’ extra sacks gave them the advantage.
Special Teams: Kickers and Punters
Special teams, like kickers and punters, can change games. They made a difference here.
Harrison Butker: The Chiefs’ Perfect Kicker
Harrison Butker was perfect, making all three field goals from 28, 35, and 42 yards. His 42-yard kick in the first quarter started the scoring. He also made all extra points, helping the Chiefs keep their lead.
Ka’imi Fairbairn: The Texans’ Missed Kick
Ka’imi Fairbairn made 1 of 2 field goals, hitting from 29 yards but missing a 45-yarder in the second quarter. That miss could have tied the game. His punts were solid, but the missed kick hurt Houston.
Chiefs’ punter Tommy Townsend averaged 48 yards per punt, while Houston’s Bryan Anger averaged 45.
Why These Players Stood Out
Why were these players so good? For the Chiefs, Mahomes and Kelce have a special connection, reading each other perfectly. Pacheco’s speed added balance, while Danna and Jones’ sacks stopped Houston’s drives. For the Texans, Stroud’s calmness at 22 is rare. Collins’ height made him a tough matchup. Anderson’s pass-rushing showed he’s a future star.
This game proved defense is key in playoffs. Fewer penalties and a reliable kicker helped the Chiefs. Both teams avoided turnovers, but Kansas City’s efficiency won.
Fun Facts About the Game
- This was the seventh Texans-Chiefs game since 2015. Kansas City leads 5-2.
- Mahomes is 6-2 in playoff games and undefeated in divisional rounds.
- Kelce’s 117 yards was his 10th 100-yard playoff game.
- Stroud joined Dan Marino as a young quarterback with 200+ playoff passing yards.
- The game was played in 22-degree weather, testing both teams.
- Arrowhead’s 76,000+ fans made it one of the loudest games.
These facts make the game memorable.
What’s Next for the Teams?
The Chiefs advance to the AFC Championship against the Bills or Ravens. They’re chasing a third straight Super Bowl title. Mahomes wants his fourth ring.
The Texans head to the offseason but have a bright future. Stroud, Collins, and Anderson are young stars. With new players in 2025, Houston could be a contender.
Final Thoughts
The Texans vs. Chiefs game was a playoff thriller with strong defense and big plays. Mahomes and Kelce led Kansas City to victory, while Stroud and Anderson showed Houston’s potential. We hope this clear guide with tables and a chart helped you enjoy the game’s highlights.
Who was your favorite player? Share with us! Stay tuned for more easy NFL guides.
Disclaimer
This article about the Texans vs. Kansas City Chiefs match player stats is for information and entertainment only. We used trusted sources like ESPN, NFL.com, and Pro-Football-Reference to ensure accuracy. However, stats and details may change, and we cannot guarantee they are perfect. For official stats, check NFL sources. We are not responsible for any errors or issues from using this information.
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