Here is who national experts predict will win Houston Texans at KC Chiefs game
Chiefs fans are hoping quarterback Patrick Mahomes’ injured ankle won’t limit him during Saturday’s game against the Texans.
Ditto for Houston defensive tackle Tim Settle.
That may sound odd, but while talking with reporters this week, Settle said the Texans were coming for Mahomes.
“This is the top team in the league right now by the NFL. But definitely this O-line, it has ... their struggles and I feel like we can take advantage of that,” Settle told reporters. “We got an elite D-line. Pat’s a little banged up, so I don’t know if he’s gonna play or not, but I hope he’s mobile enough because we coming (to) Arrowhead. Pat better make good decisions. I ain’t making no threats, I’m making promises.”
Will that talk motivate Mahomes and the Chiefs? Here is who 66 experts are picking in the game, which starts at noon and is being broadcast on KSHB (Ch. 41) and KSN (Ch. 3).
A 24-21 Chiefs win is the prediction from the Arizona Republic’s Jeremy Cluff. This is from his story: “The Texans opened as a 2.5-point favorite over the Chiefs on the road, which is hard for us to believe, but Patrick Mahomes’ status was uncertain as of Monday morning. Kansas City is 7-0 at home this season.”
A 24-19 Chiefs victory is the call from the Associated Press’ Rob Maaddi. Here is part of what he wrote: “Mahomes plans to play with a mild high-ankle sprain as the Chiefs push toward a No. 1 seed in the AFC. Kansas City is coming off its first win by more than one score since Week 7.”
A 20-16 Chiefs win is the prediction from the Sporting News’ Bill Bender. Here is an excerpt from his story: “C.J. Stroud has an 83.8 passer rating on the road. We reserve the right to change this pick based on Mahomes’ status, and right now, we assume he plays through the injury with Kansas City still looking for home-field advantage.”
The Chiefs are the choice for six of eight writers at CBS Sports: Pete Prisco, Ryan Wilson, Dave Richard, Jamey Eisenberg, John Breech and Tyler Sullivan. Picking the Texans are Will Brinson and Jared Dubin. Prisco predicts a 23-17 score. Here is an excerpt of his story: “Patrick Mahomes is hobbled with a high-ankle sprain, but he could play. If he does, it makes things a lot easier for the Chiefs. But I think they win this game whether he plays or not. If it’s Carson Wentz, the defense wins it. The Texans just haven’t been great this season.”
The Chiefs are the choice for five of eight writers at the Athletic: Josh Kendall, Larry Holder, Austin Mock, Tashan Reed and Ben Standig. Going with the Texans: Nick Kosmider, Chad Graff and Josiah Turner. This is from J.J. Bailey’s story: “Assuming Mahomes suits up this week, he’ll have his work cut out for him. The Texans are one of six teams holding opponents under 200 passing yards per game and have a top-10 run defense that has allowed only seven touchdowns on the ground. Worse for a hobbled quarterback, Houston has the third-highest pressure rate and the second-most sacks in the league (45). Mahomes has used his legs to great effect this season, and one of the Texans’ few vulnerabilities is the quarterback scramble. But high ankle sprains tend to limit one’s willingness to take off running.”
The Chiefs are the pick for four of five writers at NFL.com: Ali Bhanpuri (23-19 final score), Brooke Cersosimo (26-22), Dan Parr (22-17) and Tom Blair (22-19). Picking Houston is Gennaro Filice (21-20). This is a bit of what Cersosimo wrote about Mahomes: “Trotting out the QB with ‘the loosest ankles in America’ isn’t ideal if he’s less than 100 percent, especially since he has taken an NFL-most 102 QB hits this season. It’s equally concerning that the Chiefs, who’ve averaged just 21 points over their last six games, have averaged 7.3 fewer points per game without Mahomes as the starter since 2018. While this version of K.C.’s offense isn’t blowing anyone away, it is taking care of the ball. That will be key against a Houston defense that has the second-most INTs (19) in the league. The Texans are built to frustrate Mahomes in the pocket — and I expect them to — as they are applying the third-most pressure to QBs this season.”
Taking the Chiefs are six of seven USA Today writers: Jarrett Bell (27-23 final score), Chris Bumbaca (23-19), Nate Davis (25-20), Tyler Dragon (24-21), Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz (23-16) and Lorenzo Reyes (26-18). Picking Houston is Jordan Mendoza (23-20). Here is what Mendoza wrote: “Coming off a strong defensive game, Houston carries the momentum to hand Kansas City its first home loss since last Christmas.”
The Chiefs are the pick for nine of 11 ESPN experts: Stephania Bell, Mike Clay, Kimberly Martin, Jason Reid, Lindsey Thiry, Matt Bowen, Dan Graziano, Jeremy Fowler and Moses Moody. Going with Houston are Kalyn Kahler and Seth Wickersham.
SiriusXM’s Bob Papa and Matt Simms predict a Chiefs win.
Taking the Chiefs are five of the six Sports Illustrated writers: Albert Breer, Mitch Goldich, Conor Orr, John Pluym and Matt Verderame. Picking the Texans is Gilberto Manzano.
The Chiefs are the pick for the Pro Football Talk writers: Mike Florio (20-16 final score) and Chris Simms (24-20).
A Chiefs win is the prediction from three of four SB Nation writers: Brandon Lee Bowton, Jared Mueller and Matt Warren. Taking Houston is James Dator.
The Chiefs will prevail, say 10 Dallas Morning-News members: Tim Cowlishaw, Joey Hayden, Kevin Sherrington, Abraham Nudelstejer, Craig Miller, Calvin Watkins, David Moore, Dana Larson, Damon Marx and Newy Scruggs.
This story was originally published December 21, 2024 at 6:01 AM.
