Now they are facing a desperate Chiefs (6-6) team, which is in an unfamiliar place in the standings: they currently sit in 10th place in the AFC, and if the playoffs started today, they would not qualify.
In 1952, songwriters Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller wrote a very catchy tune called “Kansas City” that was later covered by musical talents such as Little Richard and James Brown and became a hit in the late ’50s and ’60s.
The song’s main chorus became a staple for most visitors who ventured into the city for its historic sights and world-famous barbecue.
“I’m going to Kansas City
Kansas City, here I come.”
Those lyrics may be etched in the minds of the Houston Texans players as they head to Kansas City, Missouri, to face the Chiefs in yet another “Must Win” game for Houston to push closer to making the playoffs this season.
The Texans (7-5) are a team that has put themselves back on the radar in the AFC South after winning four straight games, including a victory this past Sunday over the Indianapolis Colts, who are currently tied with the Jacksonville Jaguars for first place in the AFC South division.
Now they are facing a desperate Chiefs (6-6) team, which is in an unfamiliar place in the standings: they currently sit in 10th place in the AFC, and if the playoffs started today, they would not qualify.
Yes, you heard that correctly.
A team led by quarterback Patrick Mahomes and coached by Andy Reid would not make the postseason after participating in seven straight AFC Championship games and three consecutive Super Bowls.
The last two matchups between the two teams have not gone well for the Texans, leaving them heartbroken in the locker room at Arrowhead Stadium.
In their Week 16 game, they lost safety Jimmie Ward and offensive lineman Shaq Mason. Still, the most devastating loss was wide receiver Tank Dell, who went down with a serious lower-leg injury after a 30-yard touchdown pass from quarterback C.J. Stroud, leaving the stadium in complete silence as Dell lay on the field, screaming in pain before being carted off.
Houston would eventually lose 27-19, as they were never able to refocus after seeing their teammate leave the field that way.
With a chance to avenge their regular-season loss, the Texans returned to Kansas City to play in the AFC Divisional Game, fighting for a trip to the championship.
It was a similar situation they faced in January 2020 at Arrowhead Stadium, with the same stakes on the line as that game, which ended in a 51-31 blowout after the Texans led the Chiefs 24-0 in the second quarter.
This time, Houston was competitive in all four quarters but couldn’t stop that Mahomes-to-Tight End Travis Kelce connection, and fell short 23-14, ending their season once again.
With the Chiefs desperately fighting to stay in the playoff hunt, they will come out strong, aiming to keep the Texans winless at Arrowhead Stadium (0-5) since the 2019 playoffs.