6 winners and a pair of losers from the Chiefs’ win over the Texans

Even within the face of extra accidents, your Kansas Metropolis Chiefs appeared to be in full management throughout Saturday’s 27-19 win over the Houston Texans on GEHA Area at Arrowhead Stadium.

Your two-time defending Tremendous Bowl champions at the moment are 14-1. Except the New England Patriots give Kansas Metropolis an early Christmas current by defeating the Buffalo Payments throughout Sunday’s late afternoon window, the Chiefs can lock down the AFC’s No. 1 playoff seed with a Christmas Day win over the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Let’s acknowledge some Kansas Metropolis gamers who made a distinction throughout Saturday’s win.

Winners

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Cornerback Trent McDuffie: Already an All Professional, he is now a turnover machine. He’s now had a choose in two straight weeks — and continues to indicate us his greatness in tackling and protection greatness. Honorable point out to rookie Jaden Hicks, who additionally had one other interception.

Quarterback Patrick Mahomes: The 2-time MVP turned in a stable passing efficiency with 260 yards and a landing, taking just one sack behind a makeshift offensive line. However he did that whereas taking part in on a excessive ankle sprain — and on the bottom, he was in championship kind, splitting the protection and decreasing his shoulder to attain on a 15-yard scramble.

Large receiver Hollywood Brown: It took a very long time for us to have the ability to say this, however welcome to Kansas Metropolis, Mr. Brown. 5 catches for 45 yards — together with a fourth-and-1 conversion on his first reception — was a stable debut. He would not seem to have missed a beat — nor does it appear that Mahomes has misplaced any belief in No. 5.

Working again Samaje Perine: Whereas the savvy eighth-year veteran did not get a keep it up Saturday, he did catch all three of his targets for 50 important yards. He is setting into an essential function — and is displaying a knack for improvising together with his quarterback.

EDGE George Karlaftis: In latest weeks, the previous Purdue Boilermaker been a constant power, getting across the edge together with his regular relentless effort. In opposition to Houston, “Furious George” was on a tear, gathering 4 quarterback hits and a batted go — and will have gotten credit score for a sack when he and Mike Pennel chased the Texans’ quarterback C.J. Stroud out of bounds.

Large receiver Xavier Worthy: It was one other high quality outing for the speedy rookie, main Kansas Metropolis receivers with seven catches for 65 yards and a rating. He is making his presence felt in each manner besides deep passes. On Saturday, he had one other rep the place he caught the ball, however wasn’t in a position to get his toes inbounds.

Losers

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Working again Isiah Pacheco: The Chiefs have been splitting carries pretty evenly between Pacheco and Kareem Hunt. However on this present day, Hunt bought extra — and was extra productive, too. Pacheco completed with simply 9 carries for 26 yards — and misplaced a yard on his solely reception. His time will come.

EDGE Mike Danna: Even because the protection has improved on this space, his go rush productiveness is down. Whereas nonetheless a helpful a part of the defensive position’s rotation, Danna has been quiet to date this season, recording just one.5 sacks.

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