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Chiefs Survive and Advance to Championship Game

The Houston Texans visited Arrowhead Stadium on Saturday and showcased their season-best performance. However, Patrick Mahomes would not be denied, and the defense rose to new heights in the fourth quarter in the Chiefs’ 23-14 win.

With this victory, Kansas City has a date next Sunday for the right to represent the AFC in Super Bowl LIX. They’ll face the winner of the Buffalo Bills and Baltimore Ravens Divisional game Sunday night.

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On Saturday, the Houston Texans executed a lengthy opening drive in the second half, consuming nearly eleven minutes off the clock and narrowing the Chiefs’ lead to 13-12. Defensive Coordinator Steve Spagnuolo unleashed the hounds on defense, and they made the plays, ensuring the Texans wouldn’t score another point.

Houston outgained the Chiefs’ offense by 124 yards, and when they focused on running the ball, they sometimes overpowered the Chiefs’ defense. However, their special teams struggled, as kicker Ka’imi Fairbairn missed a field goal, failed a PAT, and had a kick blocked, all contributing to the loss.

In the end, Spagnuolo ramped up the pressure, resulting in the Chiefs sacking Texans quarterback CJ Stroud eight times, three of which were by George Karlaftis, who had his best game as a Chief.

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Still, the Texans kept battling, but KC’s stars rose in the end to make the crucial plays. Travis Kelce was on fire with yet another postseason touchdown. His catch in the fourth quarter on third and goal from the eleven-yard line where his quarterback was nose-diving to the ground and threw a strike that changed the narrative of the football game.

It was a solid answer after the Texan’s long touchdown drive, where the defense was on the field for the final five minutes of the first half and the first ten of the second. That’s a quarter of the game without the Chiefs offense touching the football.

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Listen, this was anything but a pretty game, and the Chiefs benefited from a pair of personal fouls by the Texans. Yet, they couldn’t score any points in the fourth quarter, so they lost on Saturday.

Yes, the Chiefs didn’t play great, and I would argue that they had some rust from the long layoff, but I do not doubt they’ll play better next Sunday in the AFC Championship game.

They know both opponents very well, and they know the Chiefs, so the team that executes its game plan better will advance to Super Bowl LIX.

Fortunately, the Chiefs didn’t experience any injuries in this game, but they have some offensive problems to address. Xavier Worthy was the sole receiver who made a catch on Saturday. While his five targets were significant, Hollywood Brown and DeAndre Hopkins must be prominently involved in the offense next Sunday.

Still, Andy Reid has some decisions to make. One is whether to keep Joe Thuney at left tackle and if he is willing to start Kareem Hunt over Isiah Pacheco. Hunt was the Chiefs’ leading rusher in the second half, proving a valuable option for Mahomes in grinding out yards late in the game.

In summary, the Chiefs secured a win, the main goal, and they are one step closer to keeping the three-peat narrative alive and well.

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