Houston Texans vs Kansas City Chiefs Match Player Stats (Jan 18, 2025)
Quick Stats Summary
Kansas City Chiefs 23, Houston Texans 14
Date: January 18, 2025
Location: GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium (Attendance: 73,458)
Top Performers
Passing
C.J. Stroud (HOU) 245 yards | Patrick Mahomes (KC) 177 yards, 1 TD
Rushing
Joe Mixon (HOU) 88 yards, 1 TD | Kareem Hunt (KC) 44 yards, 1 TD
Receiving
Travis Kelce (KC) 117 yards, 1 TD | Nico Collins (HOU) 81 yards
Defense
George Karlaftis (KC) 3 sacks | Will Anderson Jr. (HOU) 2 sacks
Game Opens With Immediate Turnover
Nikko Remigio fielded the opening kickoff for Kansas City and raced 63 yards before fumbling at Houston’s 26-yard line. Samaje Perine recovered the loose ball, giving the Chiefs prime field position. Harrison Butker converted a field goal three plays later, putting Kansas City ahead 3-0 before Houston’s offense took the field.
The frigid conditions and swirling winds at Arrowhead Stadium would affect both teams throughout the afternoon, particularly in the kicking game.
Table of Contents
Team Statistics Overview
| Category | Houston Texans | Kansas City Chiefs |
|---|---|---|
| Total Yards | 336 | 212 |
| Passing Yards (Net) | 187 | 162 |
| Rushing Yards | 149 | 50 |
| First Downs | 18 | 14 |
| Time of Possession | 33:26 | 26:34 |
| Third Down Conversion | 10/17 (58.8%) | 4/11 (36.4%) |
| Fourth Down Conversion | 0/1 | 1/2 |
| Red Zone Efficiency | 1/3 (33.3%) | 2/5 (40.0%) |
| Turnovers | 0 | 0 |
| Penalties | 8 for 82 yards | 4 for 29 yards |
Houston controlled nearly every major statistical category yet lost by nine points. Prior to this game, teams outgaining opponents by 100+ yards without committing turnovers were 46-0 in Super Bowl era playoff games.
Quarterback Statistical Breakdown
Performance Metrics
| Quarterback | Comp/Att | Comp % | Yards | TD | INT | Sacks | Sack Yards | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Patrick Mahomes KC
|
16/25 | 64.0% | 177 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 15 | 98.3 |
|
C.J. Stroud HOU
|
19/28 | 67.9% | 245 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 58 | 95.1 |
Rushing Production
| Quarterback | Attempts | Yards | Average | Long |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Patrick Mahomes | 7 | 14 | 2.0 | 15 |
| C.J. Stroud | 6 | 42 | 7.0 | 28 |
C.J. Stroud absorbed eight sacks, tying his career high and losing 58 crucial yards. The second-year quarterback required assistance leaving the field after taking multiple hits in the fourth quarter. Pro Football Focus tracked pressure on 19 of his 41 dropbacks.
Patrick Mahomes recorded his 16th postseason victory, tying Joe Montana for second all-time behind Tom Brady’s 35. His eighth consecutive playoff win continues a remarkable postseason streak.
Pass Rush Statistics Define the Game
Sack Distribution
| Player | Team | Sacks | Tackles for Loss | QB Hits | Pressures |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| George Karlaftis | KC | 3 | 3 | 4 | 7 |
| Will Anderson Jr. | HOU | 2 | 3 | 2 | 4 |
| Chris Jones | KC | 1 | 1 | 2 | 4 |
| Charles Omenihu | KC | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 |
| Felix Anudike-Uzomah | KC | 1 | 2 | 1 | 2 |
| Tommy Togiai | HOU | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| Tershawn Wharton | KC | 1 | 1 | 2 | 3 |
| Chamarri Conner | KC | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
George Karlaftis delivered his best playoff performance, including the game-sealing sack on fourth down with 10 minutes remaining. Kansas City generated 21 total pressures, forcing Stroud to face pressure on 56% of his dropbacks. This marked the second-highest pressure rate in a playoff game since tracking began in 2009.
Notable Defensive Play
Will Anderson Jr. recorded two sacks for Houston but committed a costly roughing the passer penalty on third and 8 in the first quarter. The penalty extended a Chiefs drive that resulted in a Harrison Butker field goal.
Travis Kelce’s Historic Postseason Performance
Record-Breaking Night
Travis Kelce caught seven passes on eight targets for 117 yards and a touchdown. His performance marked his ninth career 100-yard playoff game, breaking Jerry Rice’s all-time record. According to the Chiefs’ official website, Kelce’s 49-yard reception was the longest of his playoff career.
Pro Football Focus graded Kelce at 90.9 for the game, noting he averaged 4.33 yards per route run. His 117 yards accounted for 66% of Mahomes’s passing production.
Complete Receiving Statistics
| Receiver | Team | Targets | Receptions | Yards | Average | Long | TD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Travis Kelce | KC | 8 | 7 | 117 | 16.7 | 49 | 1 |
| Nico Collins | HOU | 8 | 5 | 81 | 16.2 | 24 | 0 |
| Dalton Schultz | HOU | 4 | 4 | 63 | 15.8 | 34 | 0 |
| Xavier Hutchinson | HOU | 6 | 4 | 52 | 13.0 | 17 | 0 |
| Xavier Worthy | KC | 6 | 5 | 45 | 9.0 | 21 | 0 |
| John Metchie III | HOU | 2 | 2 | 35 | 17.5 | 24 | 0 |
| Noah Gray | KC | 3 | 3 | 13 | 4.3 | 6 | 0 |
| Joe Mixon | HOU | 3 | 2 | 12 | 6.0 | 6 | 0 |
Running Game Production Analysis
Individual Rushing Statistics
| Player | Team | Attempts | Yards | Average | TD | Long |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Joe Mixon | HOU | 18 | 88 | 4.9 | 1 | 13 |
| Kareem Hunt | KC | 8 | 44 | 5.5 | 1 | 12 |
| C.J. Stroud | HOU | 6 | 42 | 7.0 | 0 | 28 |
| Isiah Pacheco | KC | 5 | 18 | 3.6 | 0 | 10 |
| Patrick Mahomes | KC | 7 | 14 | 2.0 | 0 | 15 |
| Dameon Pierce | HOU | 4 | 10 | 2.5 | 0 | 6 |
| Dare Ogunbowale | HOU | 1 | 9 | 9.0 | 0 | 9 |
| Xavier Worthy | KC | 1 | -8 | -8.0 | 0 | -8 |
Joe Mixon battled through an ankle injury to lead all rushers. His 13-yard touchdown capped a 15-play, 82-yard drive that consumed 10:24 of third-quarter clock. Kansas City’s ground attack struggled throughout, averaging just 2.3 yards per carry on 22 attempts.
Special Teams Impact
Kickoff Return Production
| Returner | Team | Returns | Yards | Average | Long | Fumbles |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nikko Remigio | KC | 3 | 110 | 36.7 | 63 | 1 |
| Xavier Hutchinson | HOU | 2 | 56 | 28.0 | 36 | 0 |
| Samaje Perine | KC | 1 | 21 | 21.0 | 21 | 0 |
| Dameon Pierce | HOU | 1 | 11 | 11.0 | 11 | 0 |
Field Goal Performance
| Kicker | Team | FG Made | FG Att | Long | XP Made | XP Att | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Harrison Butker | KC | 3 | 3 | 36 | 2 | 2 | 11 |
| Ka’imi Fairbairn | HOU | 2 | 4 | 48 | 0 | 1 | 6 |
Fairbairn’s Missed Opportunities
| Quarter | Attempt | Distance | Result | Impact |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2nd (7:06) | Field Goal | 55 yards | Wide Right | KC got ball at own 45 |
| 3rd (4:36) | Extra Point | 33 yards | Wide Right | Remained down 13-12 instead of tying |
| 4th (1:52) | Field Goal | 35 yards | Blocked by Leo Chenal | Ended comeback hopes |
Fairbairn’s misses left seven points off the scoreboard. His extra point failure after Mixon’s touchdown proved especially costly, keeping Houston from tying the game after their longest drive.
Defensive Statistical Leaders
Tackle Production
| Player | Team | Total | Solo | Assists | Sacks | TFL | PD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Henry To’oTo’o | HOU | 7 | 1 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Justin Reid | KC | 7 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Azeez Al-Shaair | HOU | 6 | 2 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Bryan Cook | KC | 6 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| George Karlaftis | KC | 5 | 4 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 0 |
| Jaden Hicks | KC | 5 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Chamarri Conner | KC | 5 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Nick Bolton | KC | 5 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Bryan Cook left the game briefly after a first-quarter collision but returned to action. Justin Reid was shaken up in the fourth quarter but finished the game.
Coverage Statistics
Trent McDuffie shadowed Nico Collins on 22 of 32 routes (68.8%), allowing just two receptions for 42 yards on four targets. Collins managed his other three catches and 39 yards against different defenders.
Critical Fourth Quarter Sequence
The Game-Sealing Drive
With Kansas City leading 13-12 early in the fourth quarter, the Chiefs faced third and goal from Houston’s 11-yard line. Mario Edwards Jr. had Patrick Mahomes in his grasp for what appeared to be a certain sack. Mahomes, while falling forward, managed to throw across his body to Travis Kelce in the end zone. The touchdown extended Kansas City’s lead to 20-12 with 11:52 remaining.
Houston’s subsequent possession ended when George Karlaftis sacked Stroud on fourth and 10 near midfield, effectively ending the Texans’ comeback hopes.
Weather and Field Conditions
Punting Statistics
| Punter | Team | Punts | Yards | Average | Inside 20 | Long | Touchbacks |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Matt Araiza | KC | 2 | 87 | 43.5 | 1 | 51 | 1 |
| Tommy Townsend | HOU | 2 | 83 | 41.5 | 0 | 49 | 0 |
Frigid temperatures and swirling winds affected both kicking games throughout the contest. NFL.com reported these conditions played a significant role in field goal attempts.
End Game Strategy Creates Betting Controversy
Andy Reid instructed punter Matt Araiza to take an intentional safety with 11 seconds remaining. Kansas City led 23-12 with Houston out of timeouts. Araiza retreated 18 yards before exiting the end zone, eliminating any possibility of a blocked punt or return.
The safety reduced Kansas City’s victory margin from 11 points to 9, affecting bettors who wagered on Kansas City covering the 9.5-point spread. Related playoff coverage shows Kansas City often employs unconventional late-game strategies.
Historical Context and Records
Playoff Milestones Reached
- Travis Kelce: 9th career 100-yard playoff game (NFL record, breaking Jerry Rice’s mark)
- Patrick Mahomes: 16th playoff win (tied with Joe Montana for 2nd all-time)
- Patrick Mahomes: 8th consecutive playoff victory
- Kansas City: 7th straight AFC Championship Game appearance
- Houston: First team to lose a playoff game after outgaining opponent by 100+ yards with zero turnovers
Third Down Efficiency Analysis
| Team | Conversions | Attempts | Percentage | Points Generated |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Houston | 10 | 17 | 58.8% | 14 |
| Kansas City | 4 | 11 | 36.4% | 23 |
Despite Houston’s superior conversion rate, their extended drives consumed clock but resulted in field goal attempts rather than touchdowns.
Houston’s superior third down conversion rate failed to produce sufficient scoring. Their extended drives consumed clock but resulted in field goal attempts rather than touchdowns. Kansas City converted fewer third downs but capitalized on shorter fields and scored touchdowns in the red zone.
Season Context and Future Implications
Houston’s Offensive Line Concerns
C.J. Stroud absorbed 52 sacks during the regular season, second-most among NFL quarterbacks. The playoff pressure exposed this vulnerability when it mattered most. Protecting their franchise quarterback becomes Houston’s primary offseason priority.
Kansas City’s Championship Versatility
The Chiefs won despite gaining just 212 total yards, their lowest output in a Mahomes-era playoff victory. Their ability to win through defense rather than offensive explosiveness adds another dimension to their championship formula. Analysis of Buffalo’s playoff loss to Kansas City reveals similar defensive dominance in crucial games.
Game Summary by Quarter
| Quarter | Houston | Kansas City | Key Events |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 3 | 6 | Opening fumble leads to KC field goal • Anderson penalty extends KC drive |
| 2nd | 3 | 7 | Fairbairn misses 55-yarder • Hunt TD gives KC 13-3 lead |
| 3rd | 6 | 7 | Mixon TD but missed XP keeps HOU down 13-12 • Kelce TD extends lead |
| 4th | 2 | 3 | Blocked FG ends HOU hopes • Intentional safety closes scoring |
Final Analysis
Kansas City defeated Houston 23-14 in a game that defied conventional statistics. The Texans dominated time of possession (33:26 to 26:34), total yards (336 to 212), and third down conversions (58.8% to 36.4%) while avoiding turnovers. Yet eight sacks allowed, seven points missed on special teams, and an opening kickoff fumble proved insurmountable.
The Chiefs advance to their seventh consecutive AFC Championship Game through defensive dominance rather than offensive firepower. George Karlaftis’s three sacks, Travis Kelce’s record-breaking performance, and Leo Chenal’s crucial field goal block exemplified Kansas City’s ability to make game-defining plays when needed most. The victory tied Patrick Mahomes with Joe Montana for second-most playoff wins by a starting quarterback, while Travis Kelce surpassed Jerry Rice’s playoff receiving record.
