According to NBCSports.com, the Houston Texans (7-5) currently sit as 3.5-point underdogs (+150 ML) ahead of Sunday night's pivotal matchup against quarterback Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs (6-6) at Arrowhead Stadium. 

In years past, the two teams would be perceived as having at least a touchdowns' worth of difference between them. However, this season has seen the Chiefs fall back to the pack and be more vulnerable than they ever have been since Mahomes took the reins in 2018. 

Wide receiver Tyreek Hill hasn't stretched the field for Kansas City since 2022's trade to the Dolphins, tight end Travis Kelce is perceived to be nearing the conclusion of a Hall of Fame career and the Chiefs have encountered production issues in the trenches on both sides of the ball this year. 

Mahomes still looks vintage, as he put up a stat line of 23/34, 261 yards, 4 TDs and a 129.7 passer rating in a 28-31 Thanksgiving Day loss to the Dallas Cowboys (6-5-1). Yet, the aforementioned troubles have accumulated to produce the perfect circumstance in 2025 that sees the Chiefs as primed for another serving of disappointment come this Sunday evening. 

Being losers of three of their last four games, including needing an overtime field goal by Harrison Butker to barely defeat the Indianapolis Colts (8-4) in week 12, the streaking Texans are catching the Chiefs at the most advantageous of times. 

Chiefs' Offensive Line Woes

To add in, the Texans also have the benefit of Kansas City reportedly facing the possibility of not having three of their starting offensive lineman available for Sunday night due to various injuries (Josh Simmons - injured reserve, Jawaan Taylor - tricep and Trey Smith - ankle). 

The Texans are bringing a pass rush that ranks eighth in sacks (34), with defensive ends Will Anderson Jr. and Danielle Hunter both sitting in the top-10 on the individual sacks list.

What's Motivating Houston?

Along with that, Houston faces their own "must win" situation, winning their last four games in a row and looking for their first playoff seeding of the season after spending weeks on the outside looking in (currently #8 in the AFC). 

With all the motivation and opportunity in the world, the Texans have a chance to land a knockout blow to the Chiefs' Super Bowl hopes in 2025 and help extinguish one of the greatest dynasties in NFL history.

Chiefs head coach Andy Reid will certainly be trying to "tickle the tonsils" of the Texans on every play, as they attempt to manufacture schematic advantages throughout the course of the game. However, Houston's coaching staff, led by DeMeco Ryans, has shown an ability to have their guys ready to exceed the challenge(s) laid in front of them. 

Time to Make New History

This will be new territory for quarterback C.J. Stroud and co., as they look to defeat Mahomes and the Chiefs for the first time under the Ryans and Stroud's leadership (would be the franchise's first time since 2019). 

The Texans have been counted out all year, and this time it's no different.

Even with the context of the events leading up to Sunday, DeMeco's group still has to go out a earn the opportunity. Although, if recent history is anything to go by, this Houston Texans squad wouldn't have it any other way. 

Do you think the Texans will overcome Mahomes and the Chiefs on Sunday Night Football? Let us know in the comment section below or on the official Texans Roundtable X account, @Texans_RTB!