Patrick Mahomes will play against the Houston Texans on January 18. Chiefs head coach Andy Reid stated that Mahomes will “most likely end up playing” after completing full workouts throughout the week. Mahomes mentioned that his current ankle injury is less severe than a previous postseason injury. Despite the high-ankle sprain, Mahomes is set to start and lead the Chiefs in their Divisional Round playoff game at Arrowhead Stadium.

The Kansas City Chiefs and Patrick Mahomes have faced troubling challenges during the 2024 NFL season, testing their championship resolve. Offensively, Mahomes has delivered his least efficient season so far, with noticeable statistical declines that have drawn scrutiny from fans and analysts. The team’s offensive performance has been inconsistent, ranking only mid-tier in total yards and scoring a sharp departure from their usual dominance.

Injury issues have compounded the team’s struggles, with Mahomes sustaining a high-ankle sprain in Week 15, potentially affecting his postseason performance. The offensive lineup has also been disrupted by injuries to key players like Rashee Rice and “Hollywood” Brown, forcing constant adjustments to their strategy. Additionally, persistent protection problems from the offensive line have left Mahomes under increased pressure, with some games seeing him face defenders on over half of his dropbacks.

Where to Watch Kansas City Chiefs vs Houston Texans Match?

You can watch the Kansas City Chiefs face off against the Houston Texans in the NFL Divisional Round playoff game through several platforms. The game airs on ESPN, ABC, and KMBC, a local Kansas City channel. Streaming options include ESPN+, ESPN Deportes, and subscription services like YouTube TV, Hulu, and FuboTV. The matchup takes place on Saturday, January 18, 2025, at 4:30 p.m. ET (3:30 p.m. CT) at GEHA Field in Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri.

Kansas City Chiefs vs Houston Texans Injury Report

Kansas City Chiefs Injury Report

Doubtful

Mecole Hardman (knee)

Questionable

Jaylen Watson (ankle)

Houston Texans Injury Report

Questionable:

Joe Mixon (ankle)

Azeez Al-Shaair (knee)

Robert Woods (hip)

Teagan Quitoriano (calf)

Kansas City Chiefs vs Houston Texans Players Stats

Kansas City Chiefs Players Stats

Patrick Mahomes Stats: YDS: 3,928 | TD: 26 | INT: 11 | QBR: 67.7

Kareem Hunt Stats: CAR: 200 | YDS: 728 | TD: 7 | AVG: 3.6

Travis Kelce Stats: REC: 97 | YDS: 823 | TD: 3 | AVG: 8.5

Nick Bolton Stats: SOLO: 73 | SACK: 3 | FF: 1 | INT: 1

Jaden Hicks Stats: SOLO: 23 | FF: 0 | INT: 3 | PD: 5

Houston Texans Players Stats

C.J. Stroud Stats: YDS: 3,727 | TD: 20 | INT: 12 | QBR: 50.1

Joe Mixon Stats: CAR: 245 | YDS: 1,016 | TD: 11 | AVG: 4.1

Nico Collins Stats: REC: 68 | YDS: 1,006 | TD: 7 | AVG: 14.8

Eric Murray Stats: SOLO: 50 | FF: 0 | INT: 1 | PD: 10

Derek Stingley Jr. Stats: SOLO: 37 | FF: 0 | INT: 5 | PD: 18

The Kansas City Chiefs are primed to defeat the Houston Texans in their upcoming playoff clash by using their extensive playoff experience, home-field advantage, and superior offensive power. Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs’ offense plan to establish an early rhythm, exploit the Texans’ defensive weaknesses, and dictate a high-tempo game that could overwhelm their less-experienced opponents. They aim to create early scoring opportunities while preventing C.J. Stroud and the Texans’ offense from building confidence and momentum.

On defense, the Chiefs intend to disrupt Stroud’s passing game by applying consistent pressure to force quick decisions and potential turnovers. Travis Kelce’s leadership and playoff experience will help sustain offensive consistency, while the team’s undefeated home record at Arrowhead Stadium this season provides a significant psychological and tactical edge. By combining strategic passing, opportunistic defense, and Mahomes’ improvisational brilliance, the Chiefs are well-positioned to secure a decisive win.

With their recent playoff success, including consecutive Super Bowl titles, the Chiefs know how to navigate high-stakes postseason games. Their thorough preparation, Mahomes’ elite quarterbacking, and Andy Reid’s strategic expertise make them strong favorites to advance past the Texans convincingly.