The Houston Texans came out guns blazing against the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday in the AFC Divisional Round. Just like how the Titans overwhelmed the Ravens a day earlier, the lower seed seemingly had control of the entire game from the jump.
The Texans took a 7-0 lead on their first drive, with DeShaun Watson connecting with Kenny Stills on a deep touchdown. Then they blocked a Chiefs punt and took it home to make it 14-0 just minutes into the game. After a few more KC miscues, the Texans found themselves up 21-0 at the end of the first quarter.
Bill O’Brien tempted the football gods on a 4th and 1 in Kansas City territory when he opted for a field goal instead of stepping on their necks, putting the Texans up 24-7 in the second quarter. Apparently that angered the Gods as they swung the momentum entirely over to the Chiefs from there on out.
After laying up on 4th and 1 on the previous drive, O’Brien decided to fake it on 4th down in Texans territory and the results were pretty bad.
The Texans go for the fake punt and the @Chiefs defense makes a huge play! #ChiefsKingdom #NFLPlayoffs
📺: #HOUvsKC on CBS
📱: NFL app // Yahoo Sports app
Watch free on mobile: https://t.co/ytW9g3rQZM pic.twitter.com/SQ4heoPvSO— NFL (@NFL) January 12, 2020
Not only did the Chiefs stop the Texans and get the ball back, they immediately went to work converting it into a touchdown and cutting the lead down to 24-14.
.@PatrickMahomes is orchestrating the comeback.
5-yard TD pass to @TKelce for another TD! #NFLPlayoffs #ChiefsKingdom
📺: #HOUvsKC on CBS
📱: NFL app // Yahoo Sports app
Watch free on mobile: https://t.co/ytW9g3rQZM pic.twitter.com/ODT5vx6k2D— NFL (@NFL) January 12, 2020
On the ensuing kickoff, DeAndre Carter returned the ball and immediately coughed it up to Darwin Thompson, giving the Chiefs amazing field position.
THIS GAME IS BANANAS pic.twitter.com/IbxVMAqnzb
— NFLonCBS (@NFLonCBS) January 12, 2020
Patrick Mahomes hit Travis Kelce on third down for their second touchdown connection, practically erasing the Texans lead altogether, making it a 24-21 game. That’s three touchdowns in three minutes for those keeping score.
MAHOMES TO KELCE TOUCHDOWN! WE’VE GOT A BALLGAME! pic.twitter.com/XJoFPb8jnc
— NFLonCBS (@NFLonCBS) January 12, 2020
In case you assumed that the Chiefs were going to roll over as the Ravens did on Saturday, think again. Still, a few minutes left in the first half and (apparently) anything can happen. Bill O’Brien is going to have to answer for some curious decisions in the first half, especially if Houston ends up losing this game.
It must be nice for Andy Reid not to be the coach making boneheaded decisions in a playoff game for once. Though, there is still time…
[NFL]
