Texans vs. Chiefs: Houston picks off Patrick Mahomes 3 times to claim victory, put KC's playoff hopes in peril
- - Texans vs. Chiefs: Houston picks off Patrick Mahomes 3 times to claim victory, put KC's playoff hopes in peril
Frank Schwab December 7, 2025 at 8:35 PM
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For most of the Patrick Mahomes era, when the Kansas City Chiefs absolutely needed a big play, it would happen to the surprise of nobody. Making every clutch play became Kansas City’s brand during its dynasty.
This season, when the Chiefs have absolutely needed a big play like they did in a practically must-win game Sunday night, they couldn't find the right answer.
The magic that carried the Chiefs for such a long stretch last season has evaporated. Two failed fourth-down tries by the Chiefs in their own territory in the fourth quarter and then an interception on a pass that was bobbled by Travis Kelce doomed them in a 20-10 loss to the Houston Texans. The Chiefs aren't done in the playoff race yet. But they're all the way to the edge of a steep cliff.
"I thought it was an opportunity. I was wrong, though. In hindsight, it was wrong," Chiefs head coach Andy Reid admitted postgame about those fourth-down gambles. "We’ve been pretty good on fourth downs. I messed that one up."
Even if the Chiefs win out, they'd need to catch a break or two to make the playoffs after a loss to the Texans dropped them to 6-7 this season. With a Denver Broncos win on Sunday and the Chiefs' defeat, Kansas City's streak of nine straight AFC West titles is officially over. The Chiefs are eliminated in the AFC West race, and barely alive in the wild-card race.
The Chiefs had trouble moving the ball against the Texans' fierce defense and are a step closer to elimination from the postseason field. Before Sunday night's game, The Athletic's projection had their playoff chances dropping to 16% with a loss to the Texans. NFL.com had it at 15%. Kansas City is in trouble.
The Chiefs struggled in the first half, got hot in the third quarter but then the two failed fourth-down tries wrecked their momentum. The Texans broke a 10-10 tie on a Dare Ogunbowale touchdown run, but Kansas City had a chance late to at least tie the game.
A pass to Kelce popped out of his hands and it was picked off by Texans linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair.
The Chiefs are used to seeing their opponents melt down like that in key situations. Now it’s happening to them. And it has put them on the brink of missing the playoffs.
Chiefs struggle early against Texans’ D
The Texans came in with the best and hottest defense in the NFL, and it looked great in the first half.
The Chiefs struggled to move the ball, and losing starting left tackle Wanya Morris to a knee injury on the first play from scrimmage didn't help against Houston's pass rush. The closest Kansas City got to a score in the first half was a field goal that clanged off the upright and was no good. The Texans led 10-0 at halftime.
C.J. Stroud was good in the first half, with 171 yards and a touchdown pass to running back Woody Marks. Houston more than doubled Kansas City's yardage in the first half, outgaining the Chiefs 201-98.
The way the first half played out, it seemed like the Texans might run away with a win. It was stunning to see the Chiefs stuck on no points at halftime in a game that they needed to win to avoid falling under .500 this late in the season.
But the Chiefs are a really well-coached team and adjustments on each side of the ball got them back in the game.
Chiefs rebound in 2nd half
The Chiefs finally scored early in the second half. Kareem Hunt had an exceptional effort on a fourth-and-1 run, getting 2 hard yards for the touchdown. Even though Houston completely outplayed Kansas City in the first half, the Chiefs trailed just 10-7 after that drive in the first few minutes of the second half.
The Chiefs dominated the third quarter. They had 132 yards to -2 for the Texans. Stroud didn’t complete a pass for the entire period. After three quarters the score was 10-10 in a game with numerous hard hits.
#Texans safety Jalen Pitre just LIT UP Rashee Rice: pic.twitter.com/QOVk1hjZZj
— Arye Pulli (@AryePulliNFL) December 8, 2025
A fourth-down decision early in the fourth quarter was aggressive and costly for the Chiefs. On fourth-and-1 at their own 31-yard line, with a little more than 10 minutes left, Kansas City went for it. A pass to Rashee Rice was batted down and Houston took over, already in field-goal range in a tie game. On the Texans’ next drive Ogunbowale, who had just three carries on the season and was in due to Nick Chubb and Woody Marks being injured, scored a 5-yard touchdown run on his first offensive snap of the game. Houston led 17-10 and Kansas City might have regretted going for it so deep in their own territory.
That meant the Chiefs needed a clutch drive for a touchdown. Usually that hasn’t been a problem in the Mahomes era. This season, the Chiefs have had plenty of problems making big plays in close games. The Chiefs went for it again, on fourth-and-4, and Rice dropped it. That wasn’t as damaging because the Chiefs' defense forced a three-and-out. But then Mahomes’ pass to Kelce was dropped and intercepted, allowing the Texans to ice the game.
"I'll never question that. I'm going to go to those guys in big moments," Mahomes said of Rice and Kelce. "Those guys have played in Super Bowls, they've made plays in AFC championship games, and so obviously it didn't go our way today. I have a lot to do with that myself."
It's not unheard of for a team to miss the playoffs in the middle of a dynasty. The 1982 San Francisco 49ers went 3-6 in a strike-shortened season, a year after winning their first of four Super Bowls that decade. The New England Patriots missed the playoffs in 2008, though that was because Tom Brady missed almost the entire season with a torn ACL. It's possible to miss the playoffs and not have the dynasty end.
But before thinking about what's next, it's probably time to make sense of the story of this NFL season: The Chiefs are very likely to miss the playoffs. That seemed unfathomable before the season started.
LIVE COVERAGE IS OVER43 updates -
Sun, December 7, 2025 at 8:44 PM PSTRyan YoungUp next for Houston
The Texans have won five in a row and are up to 86% odds to make the playoffs.
Texans remaining schedule
Dec. 14: vs. CardinalsDec. 21: vs. RaidersWeek 17 (TBD): at ChargersWeek 18 (TBD): vs. Colts
- Sun, December 7, 2025 at 8:42 PM PSTRyan YoungUp next for the Chiefs
The Chiefs have just a 15% chance of making the playoffs now, according to the NFL.com. While it's not impossible, they will have to be perfect the rest of the way in order to make the playoffs.
Chiefs remaining schedule
Dec. 14: vs. ChargersDec. 21: at TitansDec. 25: vs. BroncosWeek 18 (TBD): at Raiders
- Sun, December 7, 2025 at 8:36 PM PSTRyan YoungCJ Stroud vs. Patrick Mahomes
- Sun, December 7, 2025 at 8:34 PM PSTRyan YoungFinal: Texans 20, Chiefs 10
The Houston Texans have pulled off the upset win at Arrowhead Stadium. They've now won five straight, and are suddenly on pace to land the final playoff spot in the AFC.
The Chiefs, however, are now at serious risk of missing the playoffs for the first time since 2014.
- Sun, December 7, 2025 at 8:31 PM PSTRyan YoungTexans add a FG
Fairbairn drilled a 28-yarder, and the Texans are now up by 10. We're just about done here.
- Sun, December 7, 2025 at 8:22 PM PSTRyan YoungMahomes picked off again!
Travis Kelce had his hands on the ball just now, but just bobbled it away for what is now Mahomes' third interception of the night.
OFF KELCE'S HANDS INTO AL-SHAAIR'S GRASP.HOUvsKC on NBCStream on @NFLPlus + Peacock pic.twitter.com/An7H5798nE
— NFL (@NFL) December 8, 2025
Mahomes now has 10 straight incomplete passes or interceptions, marking the longest streak of his career.
- Sun, December 7, 2025 at 8:19 PM PSTRyan Young
Christian Kirk was open deep, but CJ Stroud missed him. That was third and long after a bad delay of game penalty, and a field goal would be from 61 yards.
So, Houston will punt. The Chiefs aren't done just yet.
- Sun, December 7, 2025 at 8:12 PM PSTRyan YoungAnother 4th down stop!
The Chiefs tried again on fourth down, and failed to convert yet again! Rashee Rice was open, but the ball hit his hands and he couldn't hang on.
Houston will take over in prime position yet again with just 5:26 left.
Texans take over after another 4th down stop!HOUvsKC on NBCStream on @NFLPlus + Peacock pic.twitter.com/lcwaDWkNC4
— NFL (@NFL) December 8, 2025
- Sun, December 7, 2025 at 8:05 PM PSTRyan YoungTouchdown, Texans!
Ogunbowale fights his way into the end zone from five yards out, and Houston is back in the lead!
Dare Ogunbowale gives the Texans the lead!HOUvsKC on NBCStream on @NFLPlus + Peacock pic.twitter.com/DmlHut1H7l
— NFL (@NFL) December 8, 2025
What a huge touchdown after the Chiefs' decision to go for it. The Texans are up 17-10 now with about seven minutes to go.
- Sun, December 7, 2025 at 8:00 PM PSTRyan YoungTexans get the 4th down stop!
The Chiefs went for it on fourth and short — Mahomes' scramble on third down was just shy of the first down — but Rice couldn't quite make the grab in the middle of the field.
Houston has it now in field goal range, in a spot to take control of the game again.
Fourth down stop for the Texans defense!HOUvsKC on NBCStream on @NFLPlus + Peacock pic.twitter.com/22Lk93WzxL
— NFL (@NFL) December 8, 2025
- Sun, December 7, 2025 at 7:54 PM PSTRyan Young
Watson just pulled out the perfect tackle to force yet another Houston punt. Noel only needed two yards there, and just couldn't get it done.
"that may be the best form tackle I've seen in 10 years" ‼️HOUvsKC on NBCStream on @NFLPlus + Peacock pic.twitter.com/dDkeMSBDZz
— NFL (@NFL) December 8, 2025
- Sun, December 7, 2025 at 7:49 PM PSTRyan YoungMahomes picked off again!
Patrick Mahomes has now thrown his second interception of the night. He tried to hit Brown deep, but left it a bit short. Lassiter was there to pull off the easy pick, and Houston will now take over.
Lassiter comes up with the INT!HOUvsKC on NBCStream on @NFLPlus + Peacock pic.twitter.com/rzix76G9nk
— NFL (@NFL) December 8, 2025
- Sun, December 7, 2025 at 7:43 PM PSTRyan Young
This Chiefs defense has figured Houston out. That's a fourth straight three-and-out after CJ Stroud just threw it away there on third down.
The Chiefs have a chance to take the lead here.
- Sun, December 7, 2025 at 7:39 PM PSTRyan YoungChiefs kick a FG
Kareem Hunt just dropped a short pass that would've led to a first down. Brutal drop, hit him right in the facemask.
But Harrison Butker made the field goal this time (just barely), so we've got a tie game again.
- Sun, December 7, 2025 at 7:31 PM PSTRyan Young
The Texans offense is struggling to get anything going in the second half. That's a third straight three-and-out now.
- Sun, December 7, 2025 at 7:26 PM PSTRyan Young
After a few first downs, one of which came after a deep 23-yard pass to Xavier Worthy, the Chiefs will have to punt. Mahomes missed Travis Kelce in the middle of the field there on third down, too. He has just a single catch so far tonight.
- Sun, December 7, 2025 at 7:17 PM PSTRyan Young
Here come the Chiefs. The KC defense just forced a second straight three-and-out, and they'll get the ball back once again. Things are shifting here at Arrowhead...
- Sun, December 7, 2025 at 7:11 PM PSTRyan YoungTouchdown, Chiefs!
The Chiefs are finally on the board. Kareem Hunt punched in a 2-yard touchdown on fourth down, and we've got a game again.
Kareem Hunt puts the @Chiefs on the boardHOUvsKC on NBCStream on @NFLPlus + Peacock pic.twitter.com/wvnXDhvsqn
— NFL (@NFL) December 8, 2025
The Texans' lead is down to 3.
- Sun, December 7, 2025 at 7:04 PM PSTRyan Young
And that's exactly what the Chiefs did. C.J. Stroud just missed Hutchinson, who was wide open, on third-and-long there.
The Chiefs will get the ball near midfield after forcing a quick punt.
- Sun, December 7, 2025 at 7:01 PM PSTRyan YoungSecond half is off and running
The Texans have received the kick, and the third quarter is underway. The Chiefs will need a quick stop here if they're going to turn this game around.
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Source: “AOL Sports”
