Postgame Recap: Chiefs Defeat Texans 23-14 in Divisional Round

The Kansas City Chiefs are one step closer to their seventh consecutive AFC Championship appearance, taking down the Houston Texans 23-14 in a dominant Divisional Round win. Despite three weeks of rest and uncertainty, the Chiefs showed up ready to play, silencing the doubters who wondered how they would perform after such a long layoff. Here are three key takeaways from the game:

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Takeaway 1: The Chiefs' Relentless Pass Rush

C.J. Stroud never stood a chance. The Chiefs’ defense came out firing, making sure the second-year quarterback knew exactly what it felt like to be in the playoff pressure cooker. The Chiefs tallied a staggering 8 sacks and 14 quarterback hits, with George Karlaftis leading the charge with 3 sacks. Stroud’s pressure rate was a career-high 56%, the second-highest in playoff history since 2009. Karlaftis, Chris Jones, Felix Anudike-Uzomah, and others contributed to an all-around dominant pass rush. Stroud was lucky to escape with his health intact, as he was hit multiple times and left the field limping late in the fourth quarter. Houston's offensive line will have a lot of work to do this offseason after struggling mightily in the face of Kansas City’s blitz-heavy attack.

Takeaway 2: Nikko Remigio Sparks Chiefs' Special Teams

While the offense took its time settling in, Nikko Remigio provided a much-needed spark for the Chiefs' special teams unit. His 63-yard kickoff return to start the game put the Chiefs in prime position, setting up an early field goal. Remigio finished with 110 total yards on kick returns and another 11 yards on a punt return, giving the Chiefs excellent field position throughout the game. Despite fumbling at the end of the first return (which Kansas City recovered), Remigio was a standout performer and showed his value as a kick returner in a game where every yard mattered. The special teams unit has been a point of emphasis all season, and Remigio’s performance was a reminder that big plays can come from unexpected sources.

Takeaway 3: Travis Kelce Still Got It, Folks

For everyone who wondered whether Travis Kelce was slowing down, the Chiefs' star tight end delivered a vintage performance that left no doubt about his status as one of the best to ever do it. Kelce caught 7 passes for 117 yards (16.7 ypc), his fifth-best playoff performance in terms of yardage. At 35 years old, Kelce made defenders look silly with his route-running and ability to create yards after the catch. His ability to turn small plays into massive gains was reminiscent of his younger self. And that touchdown catch from Mahomes? Pure magic. It was Kelce's 18th postseason touchdown with Mahomes, the most by any duo in NFL history. Kelce, who already holds the record for most 100-yard postseason games by a tight end, showed once again why he’s the gold standard for tight ends in the NFL.

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Final Thoughts:

This was a complete win for the Chiefs. The defense, led by a ferocious pass rush, suffocated C.J. Stroud all night. Special teams, thanks to Nikko Remigio, set the offense up for success. And of course, Travis Kelce reminded everyone why he's the best tight end in NFL history. The Texans fought hard but were simply overmatched, and now the Chiefs are one step closer to their ultimate goal of another Super Bowl appearance. With a solid performance across the board, the Chiefs are hitting their stride at the perfect time. Next up: a showdown with either the Bills or Ravens for a chance to return to the AFC Championship. The road to the title runs through Arrowhead, and with their top players firing on all cylinders, the Chiefs are ready for whatever comes next.