The Houston Texans and Kansas City Chiefs played against each other two times during the 2024 NFL season. Both matches were very important and gave fans exciting moments. The first game happened during Week 16 of the regular season. The second game was more intense as both teams faced off again in the AFC Divisional Round of the playoffs. In both meetings, the Kansas City Chiefs came out as winners. This article gives a complete review of the two matches with a simple focus on player stats and team performances.
| Game | Team | Player | Passing Yards | Rushing Yards | Receiving Yards | Touchdowns | Sacks |
| Week 16 | Chiefs | Patrick Mahomes | 260 | 15 (1 rushing TD) | – | 2 (1 pass, 1 rush) | 0 |
| Week 16 | Texans | C.J. Stroud | 244 | – | – | 2 (passing) | 0 |
| Week 16 | Texans | Tank Dell | – | – | 98 | 1 | 0 |
| Week 16 | Texans | Dalton Schultz | – | – | TD reception | 1 | 0 |
| Week 16 | Chiefs | Kareem Hunt | – | 3 | – | 1 | 0 |
| Week 16 | Chiefs | Harrison Butker | – | – | – | 2 FGs | 0 |
| Week 16 | Chiefs | Jaden Hicks & Trent McDuffie | – | – | – | 2 INTs (combined) | 0 |
| Divisional Round | Chiefs | Patrick Mahomes | 177 | – | – | 1 (passing) | 0 |
| Divisional Round | Chiefs | Travis Kelce | – | – | 117 | 1 | 0 |
| Divisional Round | Texans | C.J. Stroud | 162 | – | – | 1 (passing) | 8 |
| Divisional Round | Texans | Joe Mixon | – | 13 | – | 1 (rushing) | 0 |
| Divisional Round | Chiefs | Chiefs Defense | – | – | – | – | 8 |
Week 16: Kansas City Chiefs 27, Houston Texans 19
The first game took place on December 21, 2024, at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City. The Chiefs started strong and kept the lead for most of the game. Patrick Mahomes led the Kansas City offense. He threw for 260 yards and completed 28 of 41 passes. Mahomes also scored two total touchdowns, one by passing and one by rushing. His 15-yard rushing touchdown came in the first quarter and gave his team early control of the game. He avoided interceptions, keeping his play clean and steady.
On the other hand, rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud of the Texans showed both his strengths and weaknesses. He threw for 244 yards and had two touchdown passes. His first touchdown was a 10-yard pass to tight end Dalton Schultz, while his second was a 30-yard throw to wide receiver Tank Dell. However, Stroud was also intercepted twice, which hurt the Texans’ chances of winning. Those interceptions allowed the Chiefs’ defense to convert the mistakes into points.
Tank Dell played well before leaving the game with a knee injury. He caught six passes for 98 yards, making him the Texans’ top receiver that game. Dalton Schultz also made important plays, especially in the red zone.
The Kansas City defense stepped up when needed. Cornerbacks Jaden Hicks and Trent McDuffie each made an interception. The Chiefs also received help from running back Kareem Hunt, who scored a 3-yard rushing touchdown in the second quarter. Kicker Harrison Butker added two field goals from 44 yards and 27 yards.
Overall, the Chiefs gained 375 total yards compared to 311 yards by the Texans. Both teams were quite even in third-down conversions, each completing 7 of 13 tries. However, Kansas City controlled the ball longer, holding possession for almost 34 minutes while Houston had it for around 26 minutes.
AFC Divisional Round: Kansas City Chiefs 23, Houston Texans 14
The two teams met again in the playoffs on January 18, 2025, also at Arrowhead Stadium. This game was part of the AFC Divisional Round. The Chiefs won again, this time by a score of 23-14, and advanced to the AFC Championship Game for the seventh straight year.
Patrick Mahomes played a more controlled game this time. He passed for 177 yards and one touchdown. His main target was tight end Travis Kelce. Kelce caught seven passes for 117 yards and scored one touchdown. Kelce’s experience and ability to create space made a big difference in this game.
C.J. Stroud faced a lot more pressure from Kansas City’s defense. He completed 16 of 25 passes for 162 yards and one touchdown but was sacked eight times. The Chiefs’ defensive line constantly pressured him, making it hard for the Texans to build momentum on offense. Running back Joe Mixon scored Houston’s only rushing touchdown on a 13-yard run in the third quarter.
Kansas City’s defense was excellent throughout the game. They recorded eight sacks and limited the Texans to just 212 total yards. In terms of possession, the Chiefs once again controlled the clock with nearly 34 minutes of ball time. Houston only had the ball for about 26 and a half minutes. Kansas City also performed better on third downs, converting 10 of 17 attempts, while the Texans only managed 4 of 11.
Player Highlights from Both Games
Patrick Mahomes
Patrick Mahomes once again showed why he is one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL. In the regular-season game, he threw for 260 yards and had two total touchdowns. In the playoff game, he managed the offense well, adding 177 passing yards and one touchdown. Mahomes avoided turnovers in both games and remained calm under pressure.
C.J. Stroud
Rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud displayed both potential and inexperience. In total, he threw for 406 yards and three touchdowns over both games. However, his two interceptions in the first game and the eight sacks in the second game showed areas he will need to improve. Still, his poise and ability to make key throws highlight his promising future.
Travis Kelce
Travis Kelce’s playoff performance stood out. With 117 receiving yards and one touchdown, he became Mahomes’ most reliable target. Kelce used his size, strength, and route-running skills to create separation from defenders and help his team secure the win.
Tank Dell
Before getting injured in the first game, Tank Dell made a big impact for the Texans. He caught six passes for 98 yards and one touchdown. His ability to gain yards after the catch provided a spark for Houston’s offense.
Defensive Performances
Kansas City’s defense was one of the biggest reasons for their success in both games. In the first match, they intercepted Stroud twice. In the playoff game, they sacked him eight times. The defense not only limited Houston’s scoring but also forced mistakes and kept the pressure high throughout both contests.
Houston’s defense tried to contain Mahomes but struggled to slow him down in key moments. They did not force any turnovers and had difficulty stopping Travis Kelce during the playoff game.
Team Comparisons
In both games, the Kansas City Chiefs displayed more consistency and experience. Their ability to control the clock, move the ball, and limit turnovers allowed them to control the pace of both games. Their defense also made important plays that helped them take advantage of Houston’s mistakes.
The Houston Texans showed flashes of talent, especially with C.J. Stroud and Tank Dell, but struggled to maintain consistency against a more experienced Chiefs team. The Texans’ offensive line had trouble protecting their quarterback, and turnovers made it difficult to stay competitive.
Conclusion
The two games between the Kansas City Chiefs and Houston Texans in the 2024 season highlighted the strengths and weaknesses of both teams. The Chiefs used their playoff experience, steady quarterback play from Patrick Mahomes, and strong defense to win both matches. The Texans showed signs of a bright future with the growth of C.J. Stroud and the emergence of players like Tank Dell. As both teams move forward, the Chiefs continue to be one of the league’s strongest teams, while the Texans are building a foundation for future success.
