Chiefs Defeat Texans, 23-14, and Advance to Seventh-Straight AFC Title Game

Houston, which compiled a 15-play, 82-yard touchdown series that ate up more than 10 minutes of clock on its drive proceeding Mahomes’ touchdown throw, netted just 14 yards across its next two drives. Kansas City then added a field goal following the latter Texans’ series, effectively putting the game away.

Mahomes completed 16-of-25 passes for 177 yards and a touchdown in the game, leading the Chiefs to his 16th career postseason victory as a starting quarterback. Those 16 wins are tied with Joe Montana for the second-most in NFL postseason history, trailing only Tom Brady (35).

“This is unreal, [and] I tell the fans the same thing,” Reid said. “We are very lucky to have him here. The stuff he’s doing just doesn’t happen, and that’s why he’s the greatest at doing what he’s done in a relatively young career here.”

Mahomes’ favorite target throughout the night was Kelce, whose performance marked his ninth career playoff game with at least 100 receiving yards. The outing broke a tie with Jerry Rice for the most such games in NFL postseason history.

“People say [that] big-time players make big-time plays in big-time games, and that’s just how simple it is,” Mahomes said. “He’s one of those guys. He doesn’t let the moment be bigger than what it is. He just goes [out] there and executes at a high level just like he does in the regular season. He just does that [at] a little bit higher intensity [in the playoffs].”