Kansas City Chiefs fell 20-10 to the Houston Texans in Week 14 Sunday Night Football, dropping to 6-7 and cutting their playoff chances to 16%.
Fourth‑Down Call Cost
With 10:22 left in the fourth, Kansas City faced a 4th‑and‑1 at its own 31‑yard line. Mahomes attempted a pass from the shotgun, but Derek Stingley Jr. broke up the throw to Rashee Rice. The Texans took over and scored a touchdown in six plays to lead 17‑10. The decision to go for it is widely seen as the play that sealed the Chiefs’ postseason fate.
Texans Defense Dominates
Houston’s defense, led by DeMeco Ryans, held Mahomes to 160 passing yards on 14 of 33 completions, no touchdowns, and three interceptions. The Texans moved to 7‑5, winning five straight games. The defense’s performance was a key factor in the 20‑10 loss.
Chiefs Playoff Odds
The Chiefs sit at 6‑7 with four games remaining. Their schedule includes a home game against the Los Angeles Chargers, an away game at the Tennessee Titans, a home game against the Denver Broncos, and an away game at the Las Vegas Raiders. Tennessee and Vegas are expected to be wins; the Chargers and Broncos are projected to be losses, which would drop Kansas City to 7‑9—insufficient for a playoff berth.
Key Takeaways
- Chiefs record 6‑7, 16% chance to make playoffs.
- 4th‑and‑1 call at own 31‑yard line cost the win.
- Texans defense limited Mahomes to 160 yards, 0 TDs, 3 INTs.
- Chiefs schedule likely yields 2 wins and 2 losses, ending 7‑9.
The loss, sealed by a field goal from Ka’imi Fairbairn with 30 seconds left, marks the last time the Chiefs missed a postseason since 2014 and signals a tough road ahead if they hope to return to the playoffs in 2025‑26.
