Texans Defense Shuts Down Chiefs’ Mahomes in Key 20-10 Win/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ The Houston Texans stifled Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs in a crucial 20-10 win, powered by strong defense and key plays from C.J. Stroud and Nico Collins. The victory keeps Houston firmly in the AFC South title race. Kansas City, meanwhile, fell below .500 amid ongoing struggles and mounting injuries.
Texans Chiefs Game Quick Looks
- Texans defeat Chiefs 20-10 at Arrowhead Stadium
- Houston improves to 8-5, stays one game behind Jaguars
- C.J. Stroud throws for 203 yards and a TD
- Nico Collins tallies 121 receiving yards on four catches
- Mahomes limited to 160 yards, 3 INTs, 0 TDs
- Houston’s defense shuts out KC in the first half
- Chiefs drop to 6-7, worst 13-game record since 2012
- Key KC injuries: Morris and McDuffie out with knee issues
- Texans win fifth straight, boost playoff position
- Mahomes: “We didn’t execute at the right time”
Deep Look: Texans Outplay Chiefs to Stay in AFC South Race
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Houston Texans didn’t get caught up in the hype. They went into Arrowhead Stadium on Sunday night with one mission: win the game. And that’s exactly what they did.
With their playoff hopes on the line and the division race heating up, the Texans delivered a complete performance in a 20-10 victory over the Kansas City Chiefs, limiting Patrick Mahomes to one of the worst games of his career and holding Kansas City to just 10 points.
“We treated it like our next game,” said Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans. “We knew what was at stake, but we focused on execution. That’s all.”
Houston quarterback C.J. Stroud passed for 203 yards and a touchdown, while wide receiver Nico Collins added 121 receiving yards on just four catches. Running back Dare Ogunbowale delivered the go-ahead touchdown in the fourth quarter, sealing the Texans’ fifth straight win, which keeps them just one game behind Jacksonville in the AFC South standings.
More importantly, Houston’s defense — ranked No. 1 in the NFL — was dominant. Mahomes was pressured throughout the night, finishing 14-of-33 for 160 yards, no touchdowns, and three interceptions, including a game-sealing pick late in the fourth quarter.
“Our defense did a great job sticking with receivers and applying pressure,” said Stroud. “It was a complete effort.”
The loss sends the Chiefs to 6-7, their worst record through 13 games since 2012 — the season before Mahomes was drafted. Despite flashes of resilience, the defending AFC champions were again plagued by injuries, poor execution, and dropped passes at crucial moments.
First Half: Texans Set the Tone
Stroud wasted no time attacking Kansas City’s defense. He connected with Collins for a 46-yard gain to set up a field goal, then hit him again for 53 yards to set up a short touchdown pass to Woody Marks. Houston entered halftime with a 10-0 lead, holding the Chiefs to just 98 total yards — marking only the fourth time Mahomes was shut out in a first half.
Adding to Kansas City’s woes, the team lost left tackle Wanya Morris and cornerback Trent McDuffie to first-half injuries. They were already missing right guard Trey Smith and right tackle Jawaan Taylor, leaving Mahomes to work behind a patched-up offensive line.
“They battled,” said Chiefs head coach Andy Reid. “But some of those guys hadn’t practiced much.”
Second Half: Chiefs Fight Back, But Texans Finish Strong
Houston’s offense stalled out of the gate in the third quarter, with Stroud completing just one of his first nine passes after halftime. Kansas City capitalized, scoring on a Kareem Hunt touchdown run and a Harrison Butker field goal to tie the game at 10 early in the fourth.
Then came the game’s turning point: with the score tied and momentum shifting, the Texans faced fourth-and-1 from their own 35 and elected to punt. Kansas City then faced fourth-and-1 from its own 31 — but rather than punting, the Chiefs went for it. Mahomes’ pass fell incomplete.
Houston responded with a six-play, 69-yard drive capped by Ogunbowale’s 5-yard touchdown run, giving the Texans a 17-10 lead. The Chiefs failed again on fourth down when Rashee Rice dropped a wide-open pass, and Mahomes later threw his third interception to end any hopes of a comeback.
“We had opportunities,” said Mahomes. “We just didn’t execute when it mattered most.”
Postseason Picture: Texans Rise, Chiefs Fall
Houston now sits at 8-5, holding strong in the AFC playoff race with four games remaining. A division title is within reach, and the defense continues to prove it’s among the best in the league.
Kansas City, meanwhile, is reeling. At 6-7, their margin for error is razor-thin. Injuries, inconsistency, and offensive miscues have derailed a season that began with Super Bowl aspirations.
Still, some in the locker room haven’t given up hope.
“We still have a chance,” said Chiefs defensive tackle Chris Jones. “Even if it’s slim — five, ten percent — we’ve got to fight for it. We control what we can.”
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