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12/07 22:44 CST Texans stifle Patrick Mahomes and Chiefs in 20-10 victory to
keep pace in AFC South race
Texans stifle Patrick Mahomes and Chiefs in 20-10 victory to keep pace in AFC
South race
By DAVE SKRETTA
AP Sports Writer
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) --- C.J Stroud threw for 203 yards and a touchdown, the
Texans leaned on the NFL's top-ranked defense to shut down Patrick Mahomes and
the Chiefs, and Houston came away from Arrowhead Stadium with a 20-10 victory
over Kansas City on Sunday night.
Nico Collins contributed four catches for 121 yards, and Dare Ogunbowale added
a go-ahead touchdown run in the fourth quarter as the Texans (8-5) won their
fifth straight overall and remained a game back of the Jacksonville Jaguars in
the AFC South.
Mahomes, operating behind an ailing offensive line, was just 14 of 33 for 160
yards with no touchdowns and three interceptions, the last of them late in the
fourth quarter when Kansas City was trailing by a touchdown and trying to get
the game to overtime.
While the win gave a big boost to Houston's playoff chances, whether it be a
division title or wild-card spot, it dealt a crippling blow to the defending
AFC champs. Kansas City dropped to 6-7, its worst record through 13 games since
a 2-11 start to the 2012 season.
The Chiefs had won five straight against the Texans, including a divisional
playoff matchup last January on their way to another Super Bowl appearance. But
they were two different teams entirely when they returned for the rematch on
Sunday night.
The streaking Texans were trying to keep their momentum going, and perhaps join
a rare club of teams that includes Houston's 2018 version that started 0-3 and
made the playoffs. And the once-dominant Chiefs were simply trying to stay in
the postseason fight amid a dismal season marked by injuries, underwhelming
performances and too many mistakes across the board.
The first half turned into a microcosm of all of it.
Stroud, who played so well against Indianapolis last week in his return from a
concussion, connected with Collins for a 46-yard gain that set up Ka'imi
Fairbairn's field goal, and a 53-yard catch that led to a short touchdown toss
to Woody Marks.
Meanwhile, the Chiefs sustained two more significant injuries, this time to
left tackle Wanya Morris and cornerback Trent McDuffie, leaving them without
their best defensive back and Mahomes working with an offensive line consisting
of three backups.
Kansas City wound up with 98 first-half yards and trailed 10-0 at the break,
only the fourth time with Mahomes at quarterback and the second time in the
regular season that the Chiefs had been shut out in the first half.
The Chiefs' defense held its own, though, forcing Stroud into eight consecutive
incompletions to start the second half. That allowed Mahomes and the offense to
pick away at the deficit, first on Kareem Hunt's TD run and then on Harrison
Butker's tying field goal.
Ultimately, the game hinged on two fourth-down decisions in the first quarter.
With the score still 10-10, the Texans had fourth-and-1 at their own 35 and
punted. The Chiefs were then held to fourth-and-1 at their own 31, chose to go
for it, and watched Mahomes throw incomplete with just over 10 minutes
remaining.
Six plays later, Ogunbowale plowed into the end zone from 5 yards out to give
Houston the lead again.
The Chiefs failed on fourth down again moments later, when Rashee Rice dropped
a wide-open pass that would have produced a first down. And after Kansas City
got the ball back one last time, Mahomes was picked off to end any hope of a
comeback.
Injuries Texans: RB Nick Chubb (ribs) left in the first half. Chiefs: RG Trey Smith (ankle) and RT Jawaan Taylor (triceps) were inactive. Morris (knee) and CB McDuffie (knee) got hurt in the first half, leaving Kansas City with a patchwork offensive line and without its best defensive back. Up next Houston plays the Cardinals next Sunday. Kansas City plays the Chargers the same day. ___ AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl |
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