The kansas city chiefs vs texans match player stats from January 18, 2025, tells the story of how Kansas City secured a 23-14 divisional playoff victory despite being outgained 336-212 in total yards. Travis Kelce hauled in 7 receptions for 117 yards and a touchdown while George Karlaftis recorded 3 sacks as the Chiefs defense dominated Houston’s offensive line at frigid Arrowhead Stadium.
Table of contents
Final Score and Game Overview
The Chiefs defeated the Texans 23-14 in the AFC Divisional Round on January 18, 2025, at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri. Despite controlling possession for 33:26 compared to Kansas City’s 26:34, Houston couldn’t overcome eight sacks allowed and critical special teams mistakes. The attendance of 73,458 witnessed the defending champions advance to their seventh consecutive AFC Championship Game.
Passing Stats Breakdown
| Player | Team | Comp/Att | Yards | TDs | INT | Rating | Sacks Taken |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| C.J. Stroud | HOU | 19/28 | 245 | 0 | 0 | 88.4 | 8 |
| Patrick Mahomes | KC | 16/25 | 177 | 1 | 0 | 102.3 | 0 |
Stroud completed 67.9% of his passes but endured constant pressure from Kansas City’s defensive front. The second-year quarterback faced pressure on 56% of his dropbacks, according to Next Gen Stats, marking the second-highest pressure rate in a playoff game since tracking began in 2009. He lost 58 yards on those eight sacks, negating much of Houston’s offensive success through the air.
Mahomes operated efficiently despite throwing for under 200 yards. His 16 completions included the game-sealing touchdown to Kelce in the fourth quarter, a falling throw that exemplified his improvisational brilliance. The Chiefs signal-caller improved to 16-3 in playoff games, tying Joe Montana for second-most postseason wins by a starting quarterback in NFL history.
Rushing Performance
| Player | Team | Carries | Yards | Average | Long | TDs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Joe Mixon | HOU | 18 | 88 | 4.9 | 18 | 1 |
| Kareem Hunt | KC | 8 | 44 | 5.5 | 12 | 1 |
| C.J. Stroud | HOU | 5 | -2 | -0.4 | 9 | 0 |
| Patrick Mahomes | KC | 4 | 26 | 6.5 | 15 | 0 |
Mixon carried Houston’s ground game with 88 yards on 18 attempts, scoring the Texans’ only offensive touchdown on a 1-yard plunge in the third quarter. His physical running style kept drives alive, but the Texans managed just 88 total rushing yards as a team after accounting for Stroud’s sack yardage.
Hunt’s first-half touchdown gave Kansas City a 13-3 lead heading into halftime. The veteran back’s ability to grind out tough yards in short-yardage situations proved crucial for the Chiefs’ ball control approach.
Receiving Leaders
| Player | Team | Receptions | Targets | Yards | Average | Long | TDs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Travis Kelce | KC | 7 | 8 | 117 | 16.7 | 49 | 1 |
| Nico Collins | HOU | 5 | 9 | 81 | 16.2 | 27 | 0 |
| Xavier Worthy | KC | 3 | 5 | 26 | 8.7 | 12 | 0 |
| Tank Dell | HOU | 4 | 5 | 49 | 12.3 | 23 | 0 |
| Dalton Schultz | HOU | 3 | 4 | 37 | 12.3 | 19 | 0 |
Kelce delivered the performance Chiefs Kingdom expected when the calendar turned to January. His 117 yards marked his ninth career 100-yard playoff game, breaking Jerry Rice’s longstanding NFL record. The 35-year-old tight end also surpassed 2,000 career postseason receiving yards, joining Rice as the only players to reach that milestone.
“He’s the greatest tight end there has been,” head coach Andy Reid said after the game.
Kelce’s 49-yard reception in the second quarter represented the longest catch of his playoff career. Pro Football Focus graded him at 90.9 for the contest, noting he averaged 4.33 yards per route run. His 11-yard touchdown catch came on third and goal with Mahomes falling forward, a connection that extended Kansas City’s lead to 20-12 with 11:52 remaining.
Collins led Houston’s receiving corps with 81 yards on 5 catches. The Texans spread the ball around effectively, with four different receivers catching at least three passes, but couldn’t generate explosive plays downfield against Kansas City’s secondary.
Defensive Dominance
Sacks and Pressures
| Player | Team | Sacks | QB Hits | Tackles | TFL |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| George Karlaftis | KC | 3 | 4 | 5 | 3 |
| Will Anderson Jr. | HOU | 2 | 3 | 6 | 2 |
| Chris Jones | KC | 1 | 2 | 4 | 1 |
| Felix Anudike-Uzomah | KC | 1 | 1 | 3 | 1 |
| Tershawn Wharton | KC | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 |
| Mike Danna | KC | 1 | 1 | 3 | 1 |
| Charmarri Conner | KC | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 |
Karlaftis authored the defensive performance of the game. His three sacks tied the Chiefs’ playoff record, matching performances by Aaron Brown in the 1969 AFL Championship Game and Frank Clark against these same Texans in the 2019 Divisional Round. The fourth-year defensive end’s game-sealing sack on fourth and 10 with just over 10 minutes remaining effectively ended Houston’s comeback hopes.
Kansas City generated 21 total pressures on 41 Stroud dropbacks. Defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo dialed up 17 blitzes that produced 12 pressures, including eight from unblocked pass rushers. The aggressive approach overwhelmed Houston’s offensive line throughout the afternoon.
“Spags dials up a game plan and we trust wholeheartedly in what he does,” safety Justin Reid said.
Anderson recorded two sacks for Houston but committed a costly roughing the passer penalty on third and 8 in the first quarter. The 15-yard penalty extended a Chiefs drive that culminated in a Harrison Butker field goal.
Tackles Leaders
| Player | Team | Total | Solo | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Henry To’oTo’o | HOU | 7 | 1 | 6 |
| Justin Reid | KC | 7 | 5 | 2 |
| Jalen Pitre | HOU | 6 | 4 | 2 |
| Nick Bolton | KC | 6 | 4 | 2 |
| Jimmie Ward | HOU | 5 | 3 | 2 |
To’oTo’o and Reid tied for the game lead with seven total tackles each. The Chiefs safety made several critical plays in pass coverage, including a hard hit on a fourth-quarter pass breakup that left him briefly shaken but able to continue.
Special Teams Impact
Special teams mistakes plagued Houston throughout the contest. Ka’imi Fairbairn missed an extra point after Mixon’s touchdown, keeping the score at 13-12 instead of tying the game at 13. Later, linebacker Leo Chenal blocked Fairbairn’s 43-yard field goal attempt in the fourth quarter, preserving Kansas City’s slim lead.
The game opened with chaos on special teams. Chiefs return specialist Nikko Remigio raced 63 yards on the opening kickoff before fumbling at Houston’s 26-yard line. Texans running back Samaje Perine recovered, but the favorable field position led to a quick Butker field goal just three plays later.
Harrison Butker connected on three field goals for Kansas City. In the game’s final seconds, Andy Reid instructed punter Matt Araiza to take an intentional safety with 11 seconds remaining and Houston out of timeouts, making the final score 23-14 instead of 25-12.
Key Statistics Comparison
| Category | Houston Texans | Kansas City Chiefs |
|---|---|---|
| Total Yards | 336 | 212 |
| First Downs | 18 | 14 |
| Third Down Conv. | 10/17 (58.8%) | 4/11 (36.4%) |
| Fourth Down Conv. | 0/1 (0%) | 1/2 (50%) |
| Red Zone Efficiency | 1/3 (33.3%) | 2/5 (40%) |
| Time of Possession | 33:26 | 26:34 |
| Penalties | 8-82 | 4-29 |
| Turnovers | 0 | 0 |
| Sacks Allowed | 8-58 | 0-0 |
The Texans dominated possession and total yardage but couldn’t capitalize on their statistical advantages. Prior to this game, teams outgaining opponents by 100+ yards without committing turnovers were 46-0 in Super Bowl era playoff games, according to NFL research.
Houston’s inability to protect Stroud proved fatal. The eight sacks tied his career high and cost the Texans 58 crucial yards. Kansas City’s offensive line, meanwhile, kept Mahomes clean all afternoon, giving him time to operate within the pocket.
Turning Point Analysis
The game’s defining sequence occurred early in the fourth quarter with Kansas City leading 13-12. Facing third and goal from Houston’s 11-yard line, Mahomes appeared trapped by defensive end Mario Edwards Jr. But the Chiefs quarterback, while falling forward, threw across his body to find Kelce in the end zone.
“Big-time players make big-time plays in big-time games,” Mahomes said. “That’s how simple it is. It’s Playoff Trav, he’s a leader, it’s what he lives for, playing in these moments.”
The touchdown extended Kansas City’s lead to 20-12. Houston answered with Mixon’s touchdown and a two-point conversion to pull within 20-18, but Fairbairn’s missed extra point earlier in the drive loomed large. The Texans needed a touchdown rather than a field goal on their next possession.
That possession ended when Karlaftis sacked Stroud on fourth and 10 near midfield with 10:11 remaining. Kansas City’s defense had made its final stand.
Weather Conditions
Frigid temperatures and swirling winds affected both teams throughout the afternoon. The conditions particularly impacted the kicking game, with both teams struggling on field goal attempts. Wind gusts created unpredictable trajectories on punts and kickoffs.
The cold weather may have contributed to Remigio’s opening kickoff fumble. Players on both sidelines huddled near heaters between possessions, and breath visible in the air served as a constant reminder of the harsh conditions.
Historical Context
Kansas City’s victory marked its seventh consecutive AFC Championship Game appearance, tying the franchise with an unprecedented run of conference title game berths. The Chiefs became the fourth team in NFL history to advance to the conference championship game in three straight seasons as defending Super Bowl champions.
Mahomes’ 16th playoff win tied him with Joe Montana for second-most by a starting quarterback in NFL history, trailing only Tom Brady’s 35. At 29 years old, Mahomes accomplished the feat in his 19th playoff start, while Montana didn’t reach 16 wins until his 21st playoff game at age 37.
The victory also gave Reid his 300th career win, including playoffs. Only Don Shula, George Halas, and Bill Belichick have more coaching victories in NFL history.
Looking Ahead
The Chiefs advanced to host the AFC Championship Game against the Buffalo Bills on January 26, 2025. Kansas City entered that matchup seeking to become the first team to reach three consecutive Super Bowls as defending champions, with every other franchise to win back-to-back Lombardi Trophies failing to return to the big game.
For Houston, the season ended with another divisional round defeat. The Texans fell to 0-6 all-time in divisional playoff games, with both losses under head coach DeMeco Ryans coming at Arrowhead Stadium against Kansas City.
Player Quotes
Patrick Mahomes on Travis Kelce: “When the moment is real, these two dudes find a way. Patrick Mahomes can make any throw, he doesn’t need any feet, any balance, he just needs his mind and aura.”
Andy Reid on Travis Kelce: “Yeah, he can still play. He’s alright.”
George Karlaftis on getting sacks: “When you get a sack, it’s a big thing.”
Chris Jones on Karlaftis’ performance: “I’ve had two teammates have those type of games in the playoffs. I told him, ‘Don’t get too high.’ The next game they’ll be planning for you, buddy.”
Justin Reid on the defensive game plan: “Spags dials up a game-plan and we trust wholeheartedly in what he does.”
Dalton Schultz embracing Kelce after the game called him a “walking legend.”
Additional Context
The kansas city chiefs vs texans match player stats revealed a game that defied conventional wisdom. Houston controlled the clock, won the yardage battle, converted third downs at a higher rate, and didn’t turn the ball over. Yet the Chiefs won by nine points because they made plays when it mattered most.
Kelce’s record-breaking performance, Karlaftis’ three-sack masterpiece, and Chenal’s blocked field goal exemplified Kansas City’s ability to deliver in critical moments. The defending champions proved once again that playoff football isn’t about statistics but about execution when the pressure peaks.
For complete coverage and updated playoff information, visit Match vs Player Stats for comprehensive game analysis and player comparisons across the NFL postseason.
