4 Takeaways From the Texans' Win Over the Chiefs

[ad_1] In probably the greatest defensive video games of the season, the Houston Texans earned an enormous enhance to their playoff odds, sending the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs’ nightmare season additional into the abyss within the course of.

Houston took down Kansas Metropolis 20-10 Sunday night time at Arrowhead Stadium for its fifth straight victory. Whereas the Texans (8-5) hold themselves in nice positioning for a possible division title and an AFC wild-card berth, the Chiefs (6-7) have plunged deeper into hazard mode.

Kansas Metropolis, the three-time reigning AFC champion, has seen its postseason hopes develop dimmer. The Chiefs had been additionally formally eradicated from competition to win the AFC West, which that they had gained the earlier 9 years.

Listed below are my takeaways:

1. Texans’ protection continues to make its case as a historic-caliber unit Each time that the Chiefs’ offense had a chance to capitalize on second-half momentum, the Texans’ protection was there to break it.

It was security Jalen Pitre forcing an incompletion on third-and-short with sticky protection. Or a incredible finish zone move breakup from cornerback Kamari Lassiter. Or a Lassiter interception. Or a 4th-and-1 cease deep in Chiefs’ territory, which led to a landing. Or an interception from linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair. The record goes on and on.

The Chiefs did their half to assist with a handful of miscues. However what we noticed Sunday night time is Exhibit A as to why the Texans have the NFL’s No. 1 protection, and why it isn’t significantly shut. They’ve been so constantly dominant that we should begin speaking concerning the unit as probably the greatest defenses we’ve seen within the final decade.

Houston had eight quarterback hits, two tackles for loss, three interceptions and 7 move breakups.

2. Chiefs' offensive points transcend O-line accidents A lot was manufactured from the Chiefs’ hurting offensive line getting into Sunday, and for good purpose. Proper guard Trey Smith and each beginning tackles (Josh Simmons, Jawaan Taylor) had been inactive, then backup left deal with Wanya Morris suffered an harm on Kansas Metropolis’s first play from scrimmage and didn’t return. This, after all, was a less-than-ideal scenario towards an elite protection that boasts the NFL’s greatest edge speeding tandem in Will Anderson Jr. and Danielle Hunter.

Whereas the Chiefs’ offensive line had its points at instances, the lack of Kansas Metropolis's receivers to separate from the Texans secondary was additionally a big drawback. The Chiefs had simply three performs of 20-plus yards — two from receiver Xavier Worthy and one from receiver Hollywood Brown.

Travis Kelce and Rashee Rice, the Chiefs’ two greatest move catchers, had forgettable performances too — a mixed 5 catches on 13 targets for simply 42 yards. And whereas Houston didn’t get many sacks on Mahomes (2), it introduced constant warmth on the two-time MVP, who turned in arguably the worst sport of his profession taking part in on a nasty knee. Mahomes accomplished simply 42.4% of his passes for 160 yards with no touchdowns and three interceptions with a career-low 19.8 passer ranking.

3. Herculean effort from Chris Jones, Chiefs protection within the second half just isn't sufficient Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud and large receiver Nico Collins had been basically doing no matter they wished for the Texans within the first half, connecting 4 instances for 121 yards to assist arrange Houston’s 10-0 lead on the half. However the Chiefs’ protection hit its stride within the second half in dominant vogue, regardless that it wasn’t sufficient in the long run.

Kansas Metropolis compelled 5 straight punts and eight consecutive incompletions from Stroud to open the second half. The Texans had minus-2 yards of offense within the third quarter as effectively.

The Chiefs’ whole protection stood out, however Chris Jones led the cost, inflicting havoc within the trenches. The perennial Professional Bowl defensive deal with registered a sack, 4 quarterback hits, a deal with for loss and batted a move on the line of scrimmage.

4. Texans’ offense does sufficient to drag out win The Texans’ offense left a lot to be desired, a theme all through the season as their protection has carried the load. However Stroud, who had a depressing third quarter after a powerful first half, got here by within the clutch to assist Houston safe the large win.

After the Texans’ protection compelled a turnover on downs deep in Chiefs’ territory, Stroud hit rookie receiver Jayden Higgins for a third-and-short conversion that arrange working again Dare Ogunbowale’s landing that gave Houston a 17-10 lead.

4 ½. What’s subsequent? The Chiefs host the Chargers (8-4) subsequent Sunday, seeking to cut up the season sequence. Los Angeles is one among a number of groups which have a head-to-head tiebreaker over Kansas Metropolis within the AFC wild-card race.

The Texans welcome the Cardinals (3-10) to Houston in Week 14.

Ben Arthur is an NFL reporter for FOX Sports activities. He beforehand labored for The Tennessean/USA TODAY Community, the place he was the Titans beat author for a yr and a half. He coated the Seattle Seahawks for SeattlePI.com for 3 seasons (2018-20) previous to transferring to Tennessee. You may observe Ben on Twitter at @benyarthur.

Need nice tales delivered proper to your inbox? Create or log in to your FOX Sports activities account, and observe leagues, groups and gamers to obtain a customized publication each day!