The divisional round of the NFL playoffs kick off with an AFC matchup
The divisional round of the NFL playoffs get underway today with an AFC game. The first playoff game of the weekend has the Kansas City Chiefs hosting the Houston Texans. Kickoff is scheduled for 4:30 pm EST.
The 10-7 Houston Texans are AFC South champions. They come into this game off a 32 – 12 trouncing of the Los Angeles Chargers last week in the wild card round. Prior to that impressive victory the Texans had lost six of their last 11 games after opening the season 5-1. Quarterback C.J. Stroud and the Texans’ offense have disappointed after sky high expectations coming into this season. The Texans’ receivers have been unable to stay healthy. Stefon Diggs, Nico Colins and Tank Dell all missed significant time this season, and Collins is the only one of the three who has avoided the injured reserve list. In addition, the Texans’ offensive line has been unable to give Stroud adequate protection, resulting in Stroud being under constant pressure. The lack of time to throw and lack of weapons to throw to resulted in Stroud falling back down to earth with a thud after an outstanding rookie season last year. The Texans will be relying on Nico Collins in the passing game and Joe Mixon in the ground game, along with a defense that is getting healthy at the right time of the season, to keep pace with the Chiefs today.
The 15-2 Kansas City Chiefs come into this game as defending Super Bowl champions. The Chiefs are coming off a bye week by virtue of their #1 seed in the AFC. They lost a blowout 38 – 0 game against the Denver Broncos to close out the regular season in a game where the Chiefs rested their starters. Prior to that game the Chiefs had lost just once all season, to the #2 seeded Buffalo Bills. The Chiefs have lived dangerously this season, going 11-0 in one score games. Superstar Patrick Mahomes had arguably the worst season of his career, at least partially because he has lacked weapons with #1 receiver Rashee Rice out for the year, #1 running back Isiah Pacheco out for most of the year, and star tight end Travis Kelce clearly on the decline. As a result, the Chiefs have had to rely on an excellent defense this season, with the offense performing at middling levels most of the year.
The Chiefs have home field advantage. They have gone undefeated at home this season. The Texans have a 5-4 road record on the year, including a late season loss to the Chiefs. The Texans have a 2-5 record against playoff teams this season. The Chiefs are 7-2 against playoff teams.