The Kansas City Chiefs advanced to their seventh consecutive AFC Championship game with a 23-14 victory over the Houston Texans in the Divisional Round of the playoffs. All three phases of the ball provided timely contributions to their win. The Chiefs showcased why they remain the class of the NFL as they continue their pursuit of their third straight Super Bowl. The Chiefs defense delivered a statement performance, while the offense capitalized when they needed to.
From Andy Reid’s on-field coaching decisions to Patrick Mahomes’ clutch plays throughout the game, the Chiefs continued their historic postseason run. Below are postgame reactions from multiple players and Reid highlighting the preparation for this game, their execution, and what it means to advance to their seventh consecutive AFC Championship Game.
Kansas City Chiefs Defensive Dominance Reactions
The Chiefs’ defense was the star of the show. They recorded a season-high eight sacks and limited Houston’s offense to only a single touchdown for the game. Head Coach Andy Reid credited Defensive Coordinator Steve Spagnuolo’s complex schemes and the personnel put in place by General Manager Brett Veach. “Steve does an amazing job mixing things up, and Brett’s built this roster to execute at a high level,” Reid said.
George Karlaftis had a career day finishing with three sacks and five tackles for loss. Reflecting on his success, Karlaftis said, “It’s all about preparation. Our coaches put us in the best spots to make plays.” His key sack on C.J. Stroud for a 16-yard loss was a game-changer. “I adjusted my alignment knowing what they’d do in protection,” Karlaftis added.
Chris Jones at the podium stressed the importance of the defense’s physicality. “We came out and played physical and affected the game,” Jones said. He also highlighted the focus required to maintain this level of play, stating, “If you’re not locked in, you can get beat easily.”
Kansas City Chiefs Offensive Performance Reactions
The offense wasn’t flawless, but it executed when needed. Mahomes, who led the Chiefs to their seventh consecutive AFC Championship appearance, praised Travis Kelce for his playoff performances. “Big-time players make big-time plays in big-time games,” Mahomes said. He also mentioned that the extended break the team had probably benefited Kelce the most out of anyone, and heavily contributed to the performance in this game.
Mahomes also acknowledged areas for improvement for their offense, particularly involving receivers Marquise “Hollywood” Brown, JuJu Smith-Schuster, and DeAndre Hopkins, who combined for zero receptions. “We stalled on drives, but winning was the priority,” he said. Mahomes made it clear that he and the offense’s focus heading into this week will be to work on getting everyone involved ahead of the next game.
Kareem Hunt, playing in his first Divisional Round playoff game with the Chiefs since 2018, provided a spark with 44 rushing yards and a touchdown. Reid praised Hunt’s contributions, “He ran hard today, and we needed him down the stretch.” For Hunt, the victory was personal. “It means everything,” Hunt said. “I’ve worked my whole life for this moment, but the job’s not finished yet.”
Chiefs HC Andy Reid’s Historic Milestone
With this victory, Andy Reid added another accomplishment to his legendary career joining the 300-win club. However, Reid kept the main thing the main thing and downplayed the accolade as the team took another step toward winning another Super Bowl title.
Mahomes had a chance to speak on his coach’s accomplishment and spoke highly of Reid’s impact on his career and the team. “He’s more than a great coach; he’s a great person,” Mahomes said. “I owe him pretty much all of my success.”
Reid’s decision to start Joe Thuney at left tackle over D.J. Humphries was also something he addressed postgame. “With the complexity of playoff defenses, we went with experience,” Reid said. He commended Humphries’ progress but emphasized the importance of trusting the veteran Thuney in high-pressure moments.
Final Thoughts
The victory over the Texans demonstrated Kansas City’s ability to get the job and do so at a high level in all phases. With their defense firing on all cylinders and Mahomes continuing to lead the charge, Kansas City remains the team to beat in the NFL. The team will now prepare for its next challenge with a chance to secure another Super Bowl appearance.
As Reid, Mahomes, and the rest of the Chiefs look ahead, the focus remains on improvement. “The goal is to win, and we found a way today,” Mahomes said. With Kansas City now just two wins away from their third straight championship, a feat never done before in NFL history, the Chiefs are determined to finish the job.
