Chiefs-Texans prediction: Great QB battle will go to the Chiefs and Patrick Mahomes
The Kansas City Chiefs play host to the Houston Texans Sunday in an AFC Divisional Round game. The Chiefs are heavy favorites to return to the AFC Championship Game for the second straight year.
Kickoff: 2:05 p.m., Arrowhead Stadium
TV/Radio: CBS (Ch. 5), KCFX (101.1 FM)
Line: Chiefs by 9 1/2
Blair Kerkhoff’s prediction: Chiefs 31-24
The Texans won the regular-season meeting between these teams in Week 6, also in Kansas City. It was part of the Chiefs’ mid-season 2-4 swoon as their defense was seeking an identity and Kansas City was dealing with injuries. Five guys who are expected to start Sunday missed that game. Among them: Pro Bowl defensive lineman Chris Jones and left tackle Eric Fisher.
The Texans roared back to defeat the Buffalo Bills in overtime in the Wild Card Round last weekend as quarterback Deshaun Watson delivered a signature performance. But the Andy Reid-wins-with-an-extra-week-to-prepare thing is real, and so is the improved Chiefs defense. Look for Patrick Mahomes to have a big game and the Chiefs’ defense come up with enough stops to advance Kansas City into the AFC title showcase for the second straight year.
This story was originally published January 8, 2020 at 2:38 PM.