Official Texans vs. Chiefs Game Thread, 12/18/2022

[Keith]

The Texans are fired up. Troy Hairston goes low on Pacheco on the kick return, hits him hard, but Pacheco holds on this time. JuJu catches the first down pass for 8 yards to the KC 25. McKinnon spins after contact and gets the first down with the second life. Mahomes completes to 13 to Kelce to the 41 as the 3rd quarter ends.

The Texans yet again have a lead to begin the 4th quarter. Those who want Lovie Smith gone after this season are probably going to be disappointed. The team sucks, but they play hard enough for Lovie to keep his job it seems.

Mahomes goes to JuJu for 13, across midfield, then 15 to Valdes-Scantling to the Texans' 29. A screen dump to McKinnon adds 13. Personal foul on Harris for going low on a blocker. That's bull, this 2022 NFL stuff. Puts the Chiefs on the 8. Mahomes scrambles left and beats the defenders into the endzone for the score.

Chiefs go for two. Shovel pass to McKinnon works.

21-24, Chiefs
11:57 left in the game

[Keith]

Mills keeps on first down for 4 yards. Next two passes are incomplete, but a 3rd down DPI keeps the drive alive. Flea flicker to Rodgers is a bit underthrown. Mills doesn't force a pass to his first option on a third down, instead finds Brevin Jordan for 9 and a new set of downs at the KC 46.

Freeman goes for 5, then for 6. He's making Ogunbowale look bad and Eno Benjamin totally forgettable. Mills picks out Rodgers for 15 to the 20. A pitch to Freeman gains 7, then a handoff gets the extra 3 for a first-and-goal. Offense is rolling.

Driskel-cat is back. He keeps the option and loses 2. Bad kitty! Chiefs are more prepared for the Driskel offense than the Cowboys were last week. Mills is almost picked in the endzone on 2nd down pass intended for Akins. Third down pass is batted away.

Ka'imi Fairbairn kicks the 29-yard field goal.

Texans 24, Chiefs 24
5:11 remaining

[Keith]

Short kickoff, but the return only gets to the KC 23, so whatevs. A couple Pacheco runs get the Chiefs to the 38. More big first downs as Mahomes passes to Kelce for 7. A couple short gains get the Chiefs to the HOU 49 for a 2nd and 8 at the two minute warning.

Pass complete to Juju for 4, Texans call timeout at 1:51. On 3rd and 4, Mahomes escapes the rush and runs 14 yards to the 31. Texans call second timeout, 1:45. Handoff to McKinnon loses 3, and the Texans use their final timeout, 1:41. Mahomes keeps on 2nd down for 3. Clock ticking on a 3rd and 11... screen to McKinnon loses a yard. Chiefs call timeout at 0:12.

Butker's 51-yard field goal attempt is NO good.

24-24
0:08 remaining in regulation. Texans kneel it out for overtime.

[Keith]

Kirksey meets former Texans S Justin Reid for the coin flip. Chiefs to receive.

Holding penalty is an afterthought after a 1st down completion to JuJu, then 7 more yards to Kelce to the KC 35. Another 14 to Kelce gets the Chiefs to the HOU 49. Four more yards to Kelce again.

SACK!!! On 3rd and 4, Blake Cashman drops Mahomes for a 12-yd loss to the HOU 45. Punt is fair caught by King at the 13.

Could it happen???

24-24,
5:34 left in OT

(and Michael Brantley just re-signed with the Astros! yesssss...)

[Keith]

FUMBLE.....Chiefs say they have it, and they do.

That's so Texans.

Mills scrambles, loses it, Willie Gay falls on it but it looks like Ogunbowale had it first. No replay?

McKinnon takes the next play to the house, 26-yard game-winning touchdown.

Texans lose, 24-30.

Some stats:

Mills 12/24 121 2 TD 0 INT 92.5 QBR (and 1 huge fumble)

Freeman 11-51
Mills 5-25

Moore 4-42
Rodgers 2-26
Akins 3-22, 1 TD

Harris 14 tkl, 3 TFL
Pitre 13 tkl
Kirksey 11 tkl, 1 sack

TOP 27:25 (incl OT, Chiefs had 37:22)