The latest

The Texans just made the wrong kind of NFL Playoffs history | SB Nation

For the Texans, their flight home will be filled with thoughts of “what if.” Kicker Kai’mi Fairbairn missed one field goal, had another blocked, and missed an extra point in the loss. Houston also outgained the Chiefs 336-212, had 18 first downs to Kansas City’s 12, won the time of possession battle 33:26 to 26:34, and did not turn the football over.

Usually when you accomplish things like that in an NFL Playoff game, you come away with a victory. But not the Texans today.

In fact, Houston became the first team in NFL Playoff history to outgain their opponent by 100 yards or more, not turn the football over, and lose the game. According to Benjamin Solak of ESPN, only the Texans have done that in the playoffs and lost.

The other 49 teams to outgain their opponents by 100 yards or more and not turn the football over all won their playoff games:

Per @ESPNStatsInfo, the Texans are the first team to out-gain their opponent by 100+ yards (336-212), not turn the ball over, and lose a postseason game.

Previous such teams were 49-0 in the playoffs.

— Benjamin Solak (@BenjaminSolak) January 19, 2025

NFL divisional round playoff overreactions: Travis Kelce better than Jerry Rice? Chiefs aided by officials? | CBS Sports

Travis Kelce is the best receiver to ever play in the postseason

Overreaction or reality: Reality

Kelce added to his postseason legend in Saturday’s win, catching seven passes for 117 yards and a touchdown in the victory. Kelce passed Jerry Rice for the most 100-yard games by any player in the postseason (nine) and has 14 straight playoff games with 70+ receiving yards — double the amount of the next highest player (Antonio Brown has seven).

Kelce has 2,020 receiving yards, and 20 receiving touchdowns in his playoff career — only Rice has more with 2,245 and 22 touchdowns. At 35 years old, Kelce could pass Rice as soon as this season — and he’s already in striking distance of Rice.

Both Kelce and Rice have three Super Bowl titles and are the No. 1 options for each of their Super Bowl championship teams. Kelce also has the most receptions by any player in postseason history (172) — and has these numbers in six fewer playoff games than Rice.

When it comes to the postseason, no one is a better pass catcher than Kelce.

Texans voice dismay with officiating following 23-14 Divisional Round loss to Chiefs | NFL.com

Anderson was cited for roughing the passer on a third-and-8 Mahomes incompletion midway through the third quarter. The first down that accompanied the penalty led to an eventual go-ahead field goal.

“I had forcible contact to the facemask area and so I went with roughing the passer on that play,” referee Clay Martin told pool reporter Aaron Wilson.

In the third quarter, Mahomes scrambled for a gain before sliding. Two Texans players, who collided with each other, also contacted Mahomes. That drew an unnecessary roughness flag and was part of a drive that culminated with a touchdown catch by Travis Kelce.

“So, [Mahomes] slid, obviously and when he slides, he is considered defenseless,” Martin said. “The onus is on the defender. I had forcible contact there to the hairline, the helmet.”

Regardless of any explanation, the Texans didn’t hesitate to voice their views on how they felt the game was called.

“Everybody knows how it is playing up here,” Houston running back Joe Mixon said. “You can never leave it into the refs’ hands. It is what it is. When it comes down to it, you can never leave it into the refs’ hands.”

Travis Kelce labelled ‘best to ever do it’ after making NFL history in Kansas City Chiefs playoff win over Houston Texans | Sky Sports

“When the moment is real, these two dudes find a way,” said Sky Sports NFL’s Jason Bell. “They find each other. Patrick Mahomes can make any throw, he doesn’t need any feet, any balance, he just needs his mind and aura.

“The Chiefs just find a way. The whole season has been like that. When they’ve needed to find a play – be that on offense or defense – someone steps up.

“We’ve all been talking about it: what’s going to happen in the playoffs? Well, Travis Kelce comes to the party.

How Patrick Mahomes, Chiefs made their 7th straight AFC title game: ‘It’s not normal’ | The Athletic

Saturday’s win also ensured that the conference title game will once again be played at Arrowhead. After only a year-long hiatus, the Arrowhead Invitational — a rebranding of the title game, coined by Nick Wright, the co-host of Fox Sports 1’s “First Things First” — is back on for its sixth edition.

“It’s not normal in this league to have this much sustained success,” right guard Trey Smith said. “You understand how special this is. In the offseason, training with players from various organizations, they don’t have the same experience. Honestly, the only word that comes to mind is gratitude.”

Most concerning flaw for each Divisional Round winner, top offseason need for each eliminated team | NFL.com

Biggest weakness: The defense isn’t as dominant as it looks.

The Chiefs won their second straight Super Bowl last season largely because they had a defense that could carry this team when the offense faltered. That simply hasn’t been the case this season. As good as the overall numbers looked in the regular season — Kansas City ranked fourth in points allowed and ninth in yards — there were simply too many times when opponents produced big plays and moved the football against this defense. We’re not just talking about accomplished quarterbacks, such as Tampa Bay’s Baker Mayfield or Buffalo’s Josh Allen, having big days against this unit. Lesser talents like Carolina’s Bryce Young and Las Vegas’ Aidan O’Connell did similar things as well. The Chiefs’ 23-14 Divisional Round win over Houston was even more proof of this weakness. Yes, Kansas City recorded eight sacks, a majority of which came when the Texans were forced into obvious passing downs in the fourth quarter. The Chiefs also surrendered 149 rushing yards, allowed Houston to convert 10 of 17 third-down opportunities and gave up a scoring drive in the third quarter that lasted just over 10 minutes. The Texans came into that contest with only one of their top three wide receivers (Nico Collins), a running back nursing an ankle injury (Joe Mixon) and an offensive line that allowed the third-most sacks in the league. This should’ve been a mismatch in favor of Kansas City. Instead, the Texans trailed by eight points in the fourth quarter and could’ve made the game more interesting with better special teams play, fewer penalties and some controversial officiating calls. There’s no question the Chiefs will be tough to beat in the next round, as they’ve been to four Super Bowls in the last five years. It’s also fair to wonder if that defense can hold up against a healthier offense that can generate a lot of points.

NFL divisional-round playoff overreactions: Bills finally beating Chiefs? Commanders primed to upset Eagles? | CBS Sports

This is the year the Bills will finally beat the Chiefs in playoffs

Overreaction or reality: Overreaction

Until the Bills actually beat the Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium, it will be hard to sell Buffalo on going to the Super Bowl. The Bills and Chiefs have met three times in the playoffs under Patrick Mahomes and Josh Allen — all times won by Mahomes and the Chiefs (including last year in Buffalo).

The Bills are the only team the Chiefs’ starters have lost to this season, and Buffalo has beaten Kansas City the last three times in the regular season. Patrick Mahomes and Andy Reid are a different beast in the playoffs, however, especially at home.

This is going off history, rather than how talented the Bills are and how Allen can will them to victory. The Bills were outplayed by the Ravens on Sunday, but won because they didn’t have a turnover and made the plays needed to advance.

If Buffalo can do that against Kansas City, the Bills have a shot.

NFL playoff winners, losers: Lions run out of magic vs Commanders | USA Today

Taylor Swift

The pop superstar’s only other travel for this season will be a possible trip to New Orleans for Super Bowl 59, as she won’t have to leave Kansas City after heading to Baltimore last year for the AFC title game. And she took in the latest contest while sitting next to WNBA sensation Caitlin Clark. Winning was truly all around at Arrowhead on Saturday.

Steve Spagnuolo’s pass rush

Any threat of a Texans comeback was quickly extinguished by Spagnuolo’s fearsome front, which produced eight sacks against C.J. Stroud. Defensive end George Karlaftis led the way with three, including one on a fourth-and-10 in the fourth quarter. With cornerback Jaylen Watson back as the critical missing piece to the Chiefs’ coverage puzzle, Spagnuolo should only be able to unleash further havoc moving forward.

Patrick Mahomes Gives Perfect Nickname for Travis Kelce After Hot Playoff Performance | SI

So, what is it about the playoffs that makes Kelce step up his game year after year? His quarterback Patrick Mahomes has an answer.

“Big-time players make big-time plays in big-time games. … This is Playoff Trav,” Mahomes said after the game. “He’s a leader, man. This is what he lives for, is playing in these moments, having the chance to make big-time plays. He goes out there and does that, and it seems like he does it in every single playoff game.”

Kelce will have a chance to keep showing off “Playoff Trav” next Sunday when the Chiefs play in the AFC championship game for a seventh straight year. Kansas City is on the path to try to win three Super Bowl titles in a row, a feat that has yet to be accomplished in NFL history.

Around the NFL

Rams QB Matthew Stafford says ‘it sure feels like’ he has more football in him following playoff loss to Eagles | NFL.com

When Matthew Stafford’s final pass attempt of the 2024 season sailed over the head of Puka Nacua into the Rams’ sideline on Sunday at Lincoln Financial Field, a harsh reality started to set in.

This Rams season — a magical one that saw them overcome a 1-4 start to reach the playoffs and win a playoff game despite it being relocated from Los Angeles to Arizona amid tragedy — was officially over via 28-22 loss to the Eagles in the Divisional Round.

It didn’t take long for everyone to start wondering what might be ahead for Stafford, who turns 37 in February.

“I’ll talk about my present,” Stafford said on Sunday after the game. “Obviously, proud to be associated with this group, coaching staff, front office, group of players, training staff, equipment guys and everybody. It was a hell of an effort all year to get to this point. Anytime, you play like this and get into the playoffs and get a win to keep it moving, anytime you come up short it’s even tougher. That’s difficult but proud to be associated with this group.

Baltimore Ravens refuse to blame Mark Andrews for loss | ESPN

After another frustrating finish in the playoffs, a ticked-off Lamar Jackson refused to blame tight end Mark Andrews’ dropped pass on a late 2-point conversion attempt for the Baltimore Ravens’ 27-25 loss to the Buffalo Bills in Sunday’s AFC divisional game.

Instead, the reigning NFL most valuable player directed his anger at the Ravens’ three uncharacteristic turnovers.

“Every time we in situations like this, turnovers play a factor,” Jackson said while slapping his right hand into his left. “We can’t have that s— and that’s why we lost the game. As you can see, we’re moving the ball wonderfully … it’s hold on to the f—ing ball. I’m sorry for my language. This s— is annoying. I’m tired of this s—.”

Despite the turnovers — which included two by Jackson — the Ravens had a chance to tie the score in the fourth quarter. Jackson’s 24-yard touchdown pass to tight end Isaiah Likely trimmed Baltimore’s deficit to 27-25 with 1:33 left in the game.

On the 2-point conversion attempt, Jackson’s pass hit Andrews in the stomach before the ball slipped through his grasp as he fell backward into the end zone.

In case you missed it on Arrowhead Pride

10 winners and 4 losers from the Chiefs’ win over the Texans

Losers

Left tackle Joe Thuney: Head Coach Andy Reid decided to stick with the offensive line that helped get the Chiefs to this point. The outcome wasn’t terrible, but it was clear that Thuney struggled against Will Anderson Jr. and a tough Texans front. Anderson had two sacks and three tackles for loss to go along with a number of pressures — many of which were at the expense of the All-Pro guard who was playing tackle. I’m not sure if there’s a better option, but this was certainly a tough matchup for Thuney.

The other wide receivers: Who could have predicted that outside of Worthy, the team’s wideouts would end up with four targets — and no catches? Mahomes threw the ball only 25 times, so there weren’t a whole lot of opportunities. But it was still surprising to see DeAndre Hopkins go without a catch against his former team — and for Hollywood Brown to fail to get one after a couple of weeks of rest. On offense, this game was all about Mahomes and Kelce — but in the next round, they’ll need more from their other receivers.

Social media to make you think

The Chiefs have actually gotten the fewest help from the refs since Mahomes became the starting QB

Since 2018, Kansas City ranks:

1st in Total Penalty Yards
21st in Total Penalty Margin
32nd in Offensive Penalties Committed EPA
31st in Defensive Penalties Committed EPA https://t.co/7JnRuFmrgB pic.twitter.com/zKgyEPYHSY

— The 33rd Team (@The33rdTeamFB) January 19, 2025