Texans defense dominates, stifling Mahomes and silencing Arrowhead with a gritty prime-time upset. Houston proves they're a force.
The Houston Texans are officially the hottest team in the NFL right now. On Sunday Night Football, on the biggest stage, riding all the momentum this team has built over the last several weeks to get this season back on track, the Texans went into Kansas City and won 20-10 in a cold, gritty primetime matchup.
Houston came out hot in this one. In the first quarter, a field goal got the Texans on the board first to go up 3-0. Then C.J. Stroud connected with Woody Marks for a 9-yard touchdown, giving Houston a 10-0 lead going into halftime.
But the Texans have dealt with the Chiefs in the past and are well aware that no lead is safe against Patrick Mahomes. Early in the second half, it started to feel like the flashbacks were coming. Kareem Hunt punched in a touchdown in the third quarter to cut it to 10-7, then Harrison Butker knocked through a 36-yard field goal to tie it at 10-10. Arrowhead had a pulse again, and for a moment it looked like the Chiefs might finally tilt the game.
Instead, the Texans’ defense slammed the door.
This was a Super Bowl-caliber performance from a unit that continues to look like the identity of this team. The Chiefs never scored again. Mahomes took the full force of that Houston pressure and coverage all night, finishing 14-of-33 for 160 yards with three interceptions. Kansas City’s only points came in that third-quarter burst, and once the Texans adjusted, the window closed.
It wasn’t Stroud’s sharpest night, but he made enough of the right plays, and the run game delivered the finishing blow. Dare Ogunbowale’s 5-yard rushing touchdown put Houston back in front 17-10, then Fairbairn added a late field goal to seal it at 20-10. The Texans won the fourth quarter 10-0, and that was the story.
The only real downside was health. Nick Chubb left with a rib injury, and Kansas City also saw Trent McDuffie and Wanya Morris exit with knee issues.
Now the Texans head home with a chance to keep stacking wins, and if this defense stays at this level, Houston is going to be a problem for anyone down the stretch.