10 winners and 4 losers from the Chiefs’ win over the Texans

Your Kansas Metropolis Chiefs are heading again to the AFC Championship for the seventh straight season after their 23-14 victory over the Houston Texans in Saturday’s Divisional spherical recreation on GEHA Area at Arrowhead Stadium.

This was a very full crew win, that includes massive contributions from offense, protection and particular groups.

Among the outcomes have been predictable. The GOATs have been on the sector within the postseason — and as common, they made some memorable performs. However there have been additionally just a few tales of redemption and improvement that shouldn’t go unnoticed — and some gamers who have been unusually silent.

Winners

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EDGE George Karlaftis: Make no mistake: this was a defensive victory. The cross rush was dominant — and Livid George was in all places. In his first-ever three-sack efficiency, Karlaftis confirmed he can take over a postseason recreation. As all the time, his motor was on full show — however he additionally employed nice method, athleticism and the flexibility to be a more in-depth. That’s what we anticipate in a cross rusher searching for a brand new contract. Karlaftis ended three Houston drives with sacks — together with one on fourth down and one other on the two-minute warning.

Cornerback Trent McDuffie: If there was any query about whether or not the two-time All-Professional is among the many league’s finest corners, he as soon as once more confirmed that people solely want to observe him play. McDuffie stifled Nico Collins and the opposite Houston receivers, flattening extra passes (3) than received previous him. Whereas the protection was fairly strong throughout the secondary, groups ought to know they need to by no means check McDuffie.

Defensive sort out Chris Jones: Large-time gamers make big-time performs in massive moments. Jones was his common menacing self, main the cost into the Texans’ backfield. Within the first quarter, Jones took C.J. Stroud down for a lack of 12 on a third-and-eight, knocking the Texans out of area objective vary.

EDGE Felix Anudike-Uzomah: On this week’s “Mailbag Show,” we mentioned how each playoff run options under-the-radar guys who make names for themselves. Whereas this former first-round choose isn’t precisely unknown, Anudike-Uzomah confirmed us how far he’s come. Within the second half, he had two tackles-for-loss — and in addition had an necessary sack on the two-minute warning.

Defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo: We might go on itemizing particular person defensive contributors, however you get the concept: Playoff Spagnuolo was in Corridor-of-Fame type. In some ways, his protection carried the day, holding a proficient Texans offense to 12 factors. Remarkably, the crew amassed eight quarterback sacks. We’ve already talked about three members of the Kansas Metropolis entrance, however we will’t omit Charles Omenihu — who continued his uncanny streak of playoff strip-sacks — together with Tershawn Wharton and Chamarri Conner, who additionally received residence as Spagnuolo dialed up strain after strain. The run protection and secondary additionally held their very own, leaving Houston few alternatives to maintain tempo.

Tight finish Travis Kelce: It was a dominant efficiency for the 35-year-old shoo-in Corridor of Famer, recording seven catches for 117 yards and a landing — together with his longest catch-and-run of the season (and in his postseason profession). Playoff Kelce is again — and he’s breaking Jerry Rice’s data within the course of.

Quarterback Patrick Mahomes: In win-or-go-home video games, the two-time MVP (and maybe extra considerably, three-time Tremendous Bowl MVP) finds a means. Whereas it wasn’t an enormous statistical efficiency for Mahomes, it did characteristic one more second for his Canton spotlight reel: a dart to Kelce in the long run zone as he was being tackled. We’ll be speaking about that one for a very long time.

Working again Kareem Hunt: If there was one participant who needed this win as a lot as Kelce and Mahomes, it was in all probability Hunt. After his Kansas Metropolis profession abruptly ended earlier than the crew’s playoff dominance started, Hunt has returned to be a big a part of the offense. The Chiefs’ operating recreation wasn’t in a position to get a lot executed on Saturday, however Hunt was nonetheless in a position to hold the chains (and the clock) shifting, delivering some robust yardage — and the sport’s first landing besides. His Kansas Metropolis redemption story continues.

Extensive receiver Xavier Worthy: The child retains getting higher. In his first postseason recreation, Worthy confirmed the ball expertise to make a 21-yard contested catch, which is a good signal for his improvement as a whole receiver. He ended the afternoon with 5 catches and 45 yards — and it nonetheless appears like his finest is but to return.

Particular groups coordinator Dave Toub: If we’re going to acknowledge assistant coaches on this record, we will’t ignore Toub. From the opening kickoff, it was clear that his unit was going to be an element. Nikko Remigio took his first playoff return 63 yards to arrange a brief area for the offense. Then on the finish of the sport, security Justin Reid got here flying in, serving to linebacker Leo Chenal block a area objective to sprint the Texans’ hopes. And oh, sure… in any case the troubles about Kansas Metropolis’s placekicker, Harrison Butker hit all 5 of his kicks — in less-than-ideal climate.

Losers

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Left sort out Joe Thuney: Head Coach Andy Reid determined to stay with the offensive line that helped get the Chiefs thus far. The end result wasn’t horrible, but it surely was clear that Thuney struggled towards Will Anderson Jr. and a tricky Texans entrance. Anderson had two sacks and three tackles for loss to associate with quite a lot of pressures — a lot of which have been on the expense of the All-Professional guard who was enjoying sort out. I’m undecided if there’s a greater choice, however this was definitely a tricky matchup for Thuney.

The opposite vast receivers: Who might have predicted that outdoors of Worthy, the crew’s wideouts would find yourself with 4 targets — and no catches? Mahomes threw the ball solely 25 instances, so there weren’t a complete lot of alternatives. However it was nonetheless stunning to see DeAndre Hopkins go and not using a catch towards his former crew — and for Hollywood Brown to fail to get one after a few weeks of relaxation. On offense, this recreation was all about Mahomes and Kelce — however within the subsequent spherical, they’ll want extra from their different receivers.

Sports activities betters: When the Chiefs have been up 23-12 and received the ball again after the two-minute warning, the sport was successfully over. Mahomes kneeled twice and the clock ticked right down to fifteen seconds, however Kansas Metropolis confronted a fourth-and-15 at its personal 18-yard line. I’m certain the following determination to take an intentional security was a protected transfer — however with the unfold at -9.5, taking the margin of victory from 11 to 9 was an enormous deal for a lot of with cash on the sport.

Those that blame the referees: With out naming names, it was unhappy (however predictable) to listen to gamers, coaches, followers (and media!) as soon as once more complain that the officers are one way or the other on the Chiefs’ facet. In a dynasty, this comes with the territory; individuals will all the time attempt to excuse away greatness. However it’s a disgrace that so many postgame feedback targeted on a few penalties — somewhat than the good performances that actually determined this matchup.

Word: Making use of the labels “winners” and “losers isn’t meant to be a judgment on the expertise or character of any of those gamers. It’s only a easy technique to grade their efficiency in a single recreation. No disrespect is meant.