Patrick Mahomes, hobbled just a week ago by a high ankle sprain, showcased his resilience and brilliance on Saturday, leading the Kansas City Chiefs to a 27-19 victory over the Houston Texans. With the win, the Chiefs (14-1) are one step closer to securing the No. 1 seed in the AFC playoffs.
The biggest question entering the game was not whether Mahomes could play but how he would adapt. While running was a risk, stopping was an even greater challenge with his injured ankle. Mahomes found an unconventional solution: he simply didn’t stop. On the Chiefs’ opening drive, Mahomes sprinted 15 yards for a touchdown, plowing into the end zone and sending a clear message that his injury would not slow him down.
Mahomes finished the game with 260 passing yards, a touchdown through the air, and the rushing score. “It was a mindset thing,” Mahomes said postgame. “Once I committed to playing, I knew I had to play the way I always do.
Kansas City complemented Mahomes’ gritty performance with contributions from key offensive players. Rookie wide receiver Xavier Worthy continued his breakout season, catching seven passes for 65 yards and an 8-yard touchdown. Running back Kareem Hunt chipped in 55 yards on the ground and added a rushing score, while Marquise Brown made a triumphant return from a shoulder injury, catching five passes for 45 yards.
“This was the most complete game we’ve played all year,” Chiefs head coach Andy Reid said. “Offense, defense, special teams — everybody contributed.”
Houston quarterback C.J. Stroud showed flashes of brilliance, throwing for 244 yards and two touchdowns. However, two costly interceptions and the loss of star wide receiver Tank Dell overshadowed his performance. Dell, who had six catches for 98 yards, suffered a severe knee injury in the third quarter while making a touchdown catch. The play, which ended with Dell colliding with a teammate, left players from both teams visibly shaken.
Texans coach DeMeco Ryans confirmed after the game that Dell was taken to the University of Kansas Medical Center for evaluation and would remain there overnight. “It’s tough to see one of your best players go down like that,” Ryans said.
The Chiefs set the tone early with Mahomes’ dramatic touchdown run, but the Texans responded with a 33-yard field goal and a touchdown pass from Stroud to tight end Dalton Schultz. Kansas City regained control when Hunt bulldozed into the end zone, followed by a Harrison Butker field goal after Stroud’s second interception, giving the Chiefs a 17-10 halftime lead.
After Dell’s injury and a missed extra point, the Texans struggled to regain momentum. Kansas City capitalized with an efficient drive that culminated in Worthy’s touchdown reception. The Texans added a late field goal, but the Chiefs’ defense, highlighted by Josh Williams’ crucial fourth-quarter sack, ensured there would be no comeback.
The victory puts Kansas City on the brink of clinching the AFC’s top seed. If the Buffalo Bills lose or tie against the New England Patriots on Sunday, the Chiefs will secure a first-round bye and home-field advantage. If the Bills win, Kansas City can still lock it up with a win over Pittsburgh on Christmas Day — their third game in an 11-day span.
Kansas City will face the Pittsburgh Steelers on Christmas Day in a critical matchup for playoff positioning. Meanwhile, the Texans (9-6) will host the Baltimore Ravens in the second game of the NFL’s Christmas Day doubleheader, hoping to stay alive in the AFC wild-card race.
For now, Mahomes and the Chiefs look poised for another deep postseason run, with the resilience and determination of their star quarterback leading the way.
