USA TODAY National
The Kansas City Chiefs (6-7) needed a win in Week 14 to gain momentum in a late-season playoff run. They did not get it.
The Houston Texans (8-5) defeated Kansas City, 20-10, in the latest edition of "Sunday Night Football." The win kept the Texans ahead of the Chiefs in the playoff race and pushed Houston into the right side of the playoff bubble. Now standing at 8-5, the Texans also have the tiebreaker over the 8-5 Indianapolis Colts for the No. 7 seed in the AFC playoff bubble. Their playoff odds jumped to 87%.
Meanwhile, the Chiefs' playoff odds dropped to 15% according to Next Gen Stats. At 6-7, the reigning AFC champions essentially need to run the table and have several matchups around the AFC go their way over the final four weeks of the season.
Kansas City had plenty of chances to win the game, but it came up short in almost all of them. One questionable fourth-down decision and many, many drops from pass-catchers foiled the Chiefs throughout the night.
Here's how it all went down on Dec. 7. USA TODAY Sports provided updates, analysis and highlights from the Week 14 "Sunday Night Football" matchup below. All times are Eastern.
Chiefs vs. Texans Sunday Night Football takeaways
- Hard-nosed football is very much alive: Some older football fans continue to complain that the 2025 version is soft compared to the "good old days" of a more dangerous, hard-hitting game. Well, the Texans' and Chiefs' defenses proved in their Week 14 matchup that those "good old days" might still be happening. Both teams stacked (clean) hit after (clean) hit on the opposing offense throughout the game. NBC commentator Cris Collinsworth called one hit -- Jaylen Watson's tackle on Jaylin Noel -- "the best form tackle I've seen in 10 years." And that was only one example. Both quarterbacks took a plethora of hits -- none called for roughing the passer. There were hits from Texans safety Jalen Pitre, cornerback Kamari Lassiter and edge rusher Will Anderson all worthy of highlight reels. The same is true for the shots that Chiefs defensive tackle Chris Jones, plus cornerbacks Chamarri Conner and Watson, were giving out all night. In a relatively low-scoring affair, the defenses really shined.
- The Texans' defense is dangerous: Outside of the hard hits, the Texans just played a blend of really smart and really skilled defense. Lassiter broke up a perfectly placed pass in the end zone to keep the Chiefs from taking a lead late in the third quarter. His ability to undercut a route from Hollywood Brown led to an interception. Pitre was able to tip a pass intended for JuJu Smith-Schuster and come down with an interception. That's without even mentioning the plays by Azeez Al-Shaair, Derek Stingley Jr. and Will Anderson Jr. throughout the night. The Texans entered Week 14 as the league's best defense by EPA/play allowed, and they proved why that was in a big way on "Sunday Night Football."
- The Texans' offense is shaky: The Texans' defense carried the team to a hard-fought win in Week 14 as the offense struggled to pull its weight. No statistic exemplifies Houston's struggles better than this: quarterback C.J. Stroud completed three passes in the second half. The Texans' offensive line struggled to stop the Chiefs' pressure up front, especially when Kansas City defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo turned the blitz dial to 11 to start the second half. Entering the "Sunday Night Football" game, much of the discussion was how the Chiefs' offensive line would hold up against the Texans' excellent front seven. But by the end, it was clear that Houston may have even more of a problem in the trenches on the offensive side.
- Patrick Mahomes' receivers failed him, and now the Chiefs' playoff hopes are all but dead: Chiefs pass-catchers dropped six passes in Week 14. According to Collinsworth after the game, that was the most in the "Mahomes Era" of Chiefs football. The result was a -0.54 EPA per dropback, a 42.4% completion rate and 19.8 passer rating. Those are all career-worst marks for Mahomes. The Texans deserve a ton of credit for taking advantage of Kansas City's banged-up offensive line and making huge plays in the secondary -- two of Mahomes' three interceptions were his fault. But the Chiefs had many opportunities to make a big play that came up short because pass-catchers dropped passes that hit them in the hands. Veteran tight end Travis Kelce all but ended the Chiefs' hopes for a miracle, late-season postseason push when he tipped a pass almost directly into Al-Shaair's hands. The reigning AFC champions now have just a 15% chance to make the playoffs. They have never been eliminated before the AFC championship game since Mahomes took over, but with 2025 looking like a wasted season, the Chiefs will need to take a long, hard look at their roster construction, particularly on offense.
Chiefs playoff chances
NFL Next Gen Stats give the Chiefs a 15% chance to make the playoffs after their "Sunday Night Football" loss to the Texans. Those odds could have jumped up to over 50% with a win, but instead they've slimmed to the third-lowest mark of AFC teams that haven't yet been mathematically eliminated.
C.J. Stroud stats vs. Chiefs
- 15-of-31 (48.3% completion rate)
- 203 passing yards
- 1 passing touchdowns
- 0 interceptions
- 80.4 passer rating
- 2 rushing attempts
- 5 rushing yards
- 0 rushing touchdowns
Patrick Mahomes stats vs. Texans
- 14-of-33 (42.4% completion rate)
- 160 passing yards
- 0 passing touchdowns
- 3 interceptions
- 19.8 passer rating
- 7 rushing attempts
- 59 rushing yards
- 0 rushing touchdowns
Travis Kelce stats vs. Texans
- 1 reception (5 targets)
- 8 receiving yards
- 0 receiving touchdowns
Rashee Rice stats vs. Texans
- 4 receptions (8 targets)
- 34 receiving yards
- 0 receiving touchdowns
Chiefs vs. Texans highlights
Chiefs vs. Texans final score: Texans 20, Chiefs 10
Travis Kelce drops pass, Azeez Al-Shaair intercepts it
Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes hit Kelce in the hands with a pass that might have been a first down if caught. Instead, the Chiefs' veteran tight end tipped the ball straight up in the air and right into Al-Shaair's hands.
Mahomes' third interception gave the Texans the ball back at the Kansas City 26 with three and a half minutes left in the game.
Chiefs vs. Texans score update: Dare Ogunbowale scores fifth career rushing TD
The Texans' third-string running back was pushed into the game with veteran Nick Chubb ruled out with a rib injury and rookie Woody Marks shaken up on a second-down play inside the red zone. Ogunbowale took his first handoff since Week 8 on his first play in for Marks, and he drove up the middle for a five-yard touchdown run.
It was Ogunbowale's first rushing touchdown since 2022, and the score gave Houston a 17-10 lead with less than seven minutes to play.
Texans 17, Chiefs 10
Andy Reid makes surprising fourth-down call
With the Chiefs facing a fourth-and-1 play from their own 31-yard line, Kansas City's head coach opted to go for a first down rather than punt the ball back to Houston.
Quarterback Patrick Mahomes faced pressure from edge rusher Will Anderson Jr., and his pass attempt to receiver Rashee Rice fell incomplete, giving the Texans the ball back just outside of the red zone. Houston scored just a few plays later.
Kamari Lassiter intercepts Mahomes
The Texans' cornerback shadowed Hollywood Brown while playing in zone coverage on a third-and-6 deep throw by Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes. Once the ball was in the air, Lassiter kept himself underneath Brown's route, then leaped up to undercut the throw and came away with the Texans' second interception of the game.
Lassiter's third pick of the season gives Houston the ball back on its own 16-yard line seven seconds into the fourth quarter.
Chiefs vs. Texans score update: Harrison Butker sneaks through 36-yard field goal
After missing a 43-yard attempt off the right upright near the end of the first half, the Chiefs' kicker managed to just miss the left upright to knock through a 36-yard field goal that tied the game.
The Chiefs and Texans are knotted at 10 points apiece with two minutes left in the third quarter.
Chiefs 10, Texans 10
What is the Chiefs mascot?
The Chiefs' mascot is K.C. Wolf. The wolf character became the team's mascot in 1989.
According to the Kansas City Star, the idea for a wolf mascot was inspired by a dedicated group of Chiefs fans called the "Wolfpack," who filled the same section at Kansas City Municipal Stadium during Chiefs home games.
Chiefs vs. Texans score update: Kareem Hunt gets the Chiefs on the board
Kansas City got off to a hot start in the second half. After the Chiefs' defense forced a three-and-out by the Texans, the offense drove 56 yards on eight plays -- highlighted by a 35-yard pass from Patrick Mahomes to Hollywood Brown -- and got in the end zone.
Hunt took the ball the final two yards on a fourth-and-1 rush from Houston's 2-yard line. The Texans still lead, 10-7, just over five minutes into the third quarter.
Texans 10, Chiefs 7
How old is Andy Reid?
Andy Reid is 67 years old. He is the second-oldest head coach in the NFL in 2025, behind only Las Vegas Raiders head coach Pete Carroll (74).
Who is the Chiefs' offensive coordinator?
Matt Nagy is the Chiefs' offensive coordinator. Nagy is in his ninth year overall with the Chiefs, and fourth in a second stint.
He originally came to Kansas City in 2013 as the team's quarterback coach before getting promoted to offensive coordinator in 2016. In 2018, he became the head coach of the Chicago Bears, a position he held through the 2021 season.
After the Bears fired Nagy, he returned to the Chiefs in 2022 as a senior assistant and quarterbacks coach. Nagy was once again promoted to offensive coordinator duties in 2023.
Texans coaching staff
Houston made only one significant change to its coaching staff entering the 2025 season, and it was at offensive coordinator. Here are the top coaches for the Texans this year:
- Head coach: DeMeco Ryans (third season, 27-19 record)
- Offensive coordinator: Nick Caley (first season)
- Defensive coordinator: Matt Burke (third season)
All three coaches joined the Texans fresh off coaching stints in the NFC West. Ryans was the San Francisco 49ers' defensive coordinator in 2021 and 2022, Caley was the Los Angeles Rams' tight ends coach/passing game coordinator in 2024, and Burke was the Arizona Cardinals' defensive line coach in 2022.
Chiefs vs. Texans score at halftime: Texans 10, Chiefs 0
Marks' screen reception for nine yards remains the only touchdown of the game through 30 minutes of action. Butker's 43-yard doink ensured the Chiefs remained scoreless in the first half.
Houston will receive the kick to begin the second half.
Harrison Butker doinks 43-yard FG attempt
The Chiefs were two yards shy of the red zone before quarterback Patrick Mahomes took a sack on third-and-5. Kansas City's kicker came out for a 43-yard field goal try and missed, wide right, banging his kicked ball off the right upright and keeping the Chiefs off the board.
Butker's miss dropped his 2025 field goal percentage to 84%, which would match last year's mark for the second-worst of his career if it holds. Butker now has the exact same FG success as he did all of last year (21 for 25).
Meanwhile, the Texans still lead on "Sunday Night Football," 10-0, and will take over possession on their own 33-yard line with one minute left in the first half.
Texans S Jalen Pitre tips, then intercepts Mahomes
As Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes threw a pass over the middle, Pitre dove in front of receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster to tip the ball in the air. After he made initial contact, Pitre found the ball fluttering in the air and dove again to haul in an interception.
Pitre's fourth interception of the season gives the Texans possession just outside of the Chiefs' territory. Houston takes over on its own 43-yard line with 8:34 left in the first half.
Chiefs vs. Texans score update: Woody Marks TD extends Texans' lead
The Chiefs brought heavy pressure on quarterback C.J. Stroud up front, but Marks, the rookie running back, slipped out of the backfield for a screen pass. Marks caught the easy throw and jogged nine yards into the end zone untouched.
Houston extends its lead to 10-0 with 9:24 left in the first half.
Texans 10, Chiefs 0
Chiefs vs. Texans score update: Texans take early 3-0 lead
Houston's offense was unable to find the end zone after the deep completion from C.J. Stroud to Nico Collins on the team's second possession. The Texans settled for a 35-yard, chip-shot field goal from kicker Ka'imi Fairbairn instead to take a 3-0 lead with 4:18 left in the first quarter.
Texans 3, Chiefs 0
Nico Collins secures big grab; Trent McDuffie injured
Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud, clearly tired of punting, threw a deep ball to Collins to open Houston's second offensive possession. The veteran wide receiver came down with the jump ball for a 46-yard gain.
Chiefs cornerback Trent McDuffie, playing in coverage, appeared to suffer a lower-body injury on the play. Trainers attended to the All-Pro cornerback.
All punts halfway through first quarter
There have been three total offensive drives through the first 8+ minutes of the first quarter. All of them have ended in punts.
The Chiefs went three-and-out to begin the game, then the Texans gained a couple of first downs before punting. Most recently, Kansas City got a first down on its first play before losing four yards over the next three plays and punting again.
Wanya Morris injury: Chiefs offensive line injuries
On the Chiefs' first play from scrimmage, offensive tackle Wanya Morris suffered an injury and needed to be helped off the field. He is just one of several Kansas City lineman to be dealing with injuries in Week 14.
- Josh Simmons landed on injured reserve earlier this week with a wrist injury
- Trey Smith is dealing with an ankle injury and is out for a second straight week
- Jawaan Taylor is battling a triceps injury. He is also out of Week 14's game against the Texans
What TV channel is Sunday Night Football? How to watch Chiefs-Texans
- TV channel: NBC
- Live stream: Peacock, NFL+
NBC is the broadcast home of "Sunday Night Football." Mike Tirico will be on the call alongside Cris Collinsworth. Melissa Stark will provide updates from the sidelines.
Watch "Sunday Night Football" with Peacock
What time is the Chiefs vs. Texans game?
- Start time: 8:20 p.m. ET | 6:20 p.m. MT
The "SNF" matchup between the Chiefs and Texans will get underway at 8:20 p.m. ET, the customary start time for "SNF."
Chiefs-Texans live stream
- Live stream: Peacock, NFL+
Peacock, NBC's proprietary streaming service, will broadcast "SNF."
Watch "Sunday Night Football" with Peacock
Chiefs vs. Texans picks, predictions
Here's how the expert panel at USA TODAY Sports sees this game shaking out:
- Jarrett Bell: Texans, 24-23
- Nick Brinkerhoff: Texans, 27-23
- Chris Bumbaca: Chiefs, 22-19
- Nate Davis: Texans, 23-20
- Tyler Dragon: Chiefs, 25-20
- Mike Middlehurst-Schwartz: Chiefs, 24-23
Chiefs vs. Texans odds, moneyline, O/U
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list.
- Moneyline (ML): Kansas City -185 (Bet $185 to win $100) | Houston +154 (Bet $100 to win $154)
- Against the spread (ATS): Kansas City -3.5 (-110) | Houston +3.5 (-110)
- Over/Under (O/U): 41.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
4th & Monday: Our NFL newsletter always brings the blitz
Do you like football? Then you'll enjoy receiving our NFL newsletter in your inbox.
Get the latest news, expert analysis, game insights and the must-see moments from the NFL conveniently delivered to your email inbox. Sign up now!
Is Taylor Swift at the Chiefs game today?
Swift's attendance for the Chiefs' game against the Houston Texans on "Sunday Night Football" has not been confirmed.
Chiefs inactives vs. Texans
- RB Elijah Mitchell
- OG Trey Smith
- OT Jawaan Taylor
- WR Nikko Remigio
- CB Kristian Fulton
- WR Jalen Royals
Texans inactives vs. Chiefs
- CB Ja'Marcus Ingram
- DE Solomon Byrd
- LB Jamal Hill
- T Jarrett Kingston
- WR Braxton Berrios
- QB Graham Mertz
- CB Alijah Huzzie
What time is the Chiefs game today?
The Chiefs vs. Texans game will kick off at 8:20 p.m. ET on Sunday, Dec. 7. Kansas City will host the game at Arrowhead Stadium as both teams look to improve their position in the AFC playoff picture.
AFC West standings
The Chiefs enter "Sunday Night Football" third in the AFC West.
- Denver Broncos (10-2)
- Los Angeles Chargers (8-4)
- Kansas City Chiefs (6-6)
- Las Vegas Raiders (2-10)
Chiefs schedule 2025
Chiefs vs. Texans injury report
Texans schedule 2025
AFC South standings
The Texans enter tonight's game in third place in the AFC South:
- Jacksonville Jaguars (9-4)
- Indianapolis Colts (8-5)
- Houston Texans (7-5)
- Tennessee Titans (2-11)
NFL playoff picture: AFC bracket
- Denver Broncos (11-2; AFC West leaders)
- New England Patriots (11-2; AFC East leaders)
- Jacksonville Jaguars (9-4, AFC South leaders)
- Pittsburgh Steelers (7-6, AFC North leaders)
- Buffalo Bills (9-4, wild card No. 1)
- Los Angeles Chargers (8-4, wild card No. 2)
- Indianapolis Colts (8-5; wild card No. 3)
In the hunt: Houston Texans (7-5); Kansas City Chiefs (6-6); Baltimore Ravens (6-7); Miami Dolphins (6-7); Cincinnati Bengals (4-9)
Eliminated: New York Jets (3-10); Cleveland Browns (3-10); Las Vegas Raiders (2-11); Tennessee Titans (2-11)
NFL playoff picture: NFC bracket
- Los Angeles Rams (10-3; NFC West leaders)
- Green Bay Packers (9-3-1, NFC North leaders)
- Philadelphia Eagles (8-4; NFC East leaders)
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-5; NFC South leaders)
- Seattle Seahawks (10-3, wild card No. 1)
- Chicago Bears (9-4; wild card No. 2)
- San Francisco 49ers (9-4, wild card No. 3)
In the hunt: Detroit Lions (8-5); Carolina Panthers (7-6); Dallas Cowboys (6-6-1); Minnesota Vikings (5-8)
Eliminated: Atlanta Falcons (4-9); Arizona Cardinals (3-9), New Orleans Saints (3-10); Washington Commanders (3-10); New York Giants (2-11)
2026 NFL Draft order
Here's a look at the updated first-round order as Week 14 results come in, according to Tankathon:
- New York Giants: 2-11; .538 strength of schedule
- Las Vegas Raiders 2-10; .551 SOS
- Tennessee Titans: 2-11 record; .571 SOS
- Cleveland Browns: 3-10; .486 SOS
- New Orleans Saints: 3-10; .498 SOS
- Washington Commanders: 3-10; .514 SOS
- New York Jets: 3-10; .541 SOS
- Arizona Cardinals: 3-10; .568 SOS
- Atlanta Falcons (pick belongs to Los Angeles Rams): 4-9; .502 SOS
- Cincinnati Bengals: 4-9; .523 SOS
- Minnesota Vikings: 5-8; .523 SOS
- Miami Dolphins: 6-7; .482 SOS
- Baltimore Ravens: 6-7; .509 SOS
- Dallas Cowboys: 6-6-1; .449 SOS
- Kansas City Chiefs: 6-6; .509 SOS
- Carolina Panthers: 7-6; .516 SOS
- Houston Texans: 7-5; .543 SOS
- Detroit Lions: 8-5; .500 SOS
- Pittsburgh Steelers: 7-6; .511 SOS
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 7-6; .511 SOS
- Indianapolis Colts (pick belongs to Jets): 8-5; .516 SOS
- Los Angeles Chargers: 8-4; .468 SOS
- Philadelphia Eagles: 8-4; .491 SOS
- Chicago Bears: 9-4; .448 SOS
- Buffalo Bills: 9-4; .468 SOS
- San Francisco 49ers: 9-4; .486 SOS
- Jacksonville Jaguars (pick belongs to Browns): 9-4; .493 SOS
- Green Bay Packers (pick belongs to Cowboys): 9-3-1; .475 SOS
- Seattle Seahawks: 10-3; .482 SOS
- New England Patriots: 11-2; .376 SOS
- Los Angeles Rams: 10-3; .516 SOS
- Denver Broncos: 11-2; .437 SOS
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Chiefs' playoff hopes in serious doubt: Chiefs vs Texans SNF takeaways
Reporting by Tom Viera and Jack McKessy, USA TODAY / USA TODAY
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
KWQC
Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
ABC13
Rotoballer NFL
NFL Seattle Seahawks
CourierPress Sports
NBC10 Boston
NFL News
Bozeman Daily Chronicle Sports
NFL Cleveland Browns
The Oregonian Public Safety
Cache Valley Daily
NFL New Orleans Saints
AlterNet