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

[Keith]

Touchback to start the second half. Pacheco returns to the game, carries twice for a combined 12 yards to get a new set of downs. Some trickery, as McKinnon flicks back to Mahomes who throws it 15 yards to Smith-Schuster. Pacheco gains 12 yards up the middle to the Texans' 27, then takes a dump-off for another 11 to the 16. Chiefs are tearing up the defense on first downs this game.

On 3rd-and-4 from the 11, Collins has a beastly tackle on Pacheco, turning him to the ground around the neck for the stop as Pacheco's helmet goes flying.

Butker kicks the 27-yd field goal.

14-16, Chiefs
9:05 left in the 3rd

[Keith]

Touchback on the kickoff. Mills starts the drive, incomplete for Akins, then shuffles off to the sideline. Driskel has his pass deflected by DL Khalen Saunders. Mills' third down pass is incomplete to Burkhead, who looked like he was tackled before the ball arrived. No flag there. Johnston punts 52 yards OB to the Chiefs' 23.

Mahomes complete to Kelce for 18 yards to the KC 45. Jalen Pitre lit up Smith-Schuster but is flagged for unnecessary roughness on a helmet-to-helmet collision. It was a pretty violent head-on play. McKinnon has a 18-yard run negated by holding on Smith-Schuster.

Mahomes then goes back to Smith-Schuster who is rung up by Tremon Smith. McKinnon is charged with a blindside block on Harris on the play. Now 3rd-and 26, Chiefs moving backwards with these penalties, and the Texans doing some big boy hitting. Texans challenge the play as Smith-Schuster lost the ball on the tackle.

After review, FUMBLE! Recovered at Hou 36. The block penalty still applies, too. Heh. Enforced to the KC 49.

Mills to Akins for 7. Freeman carries for just a yard. On 3rd-and-2, Driskel-cat is back. Run is stuffed, but Chiefs flagged for offside. Meow, Driskel-cat!

On 3rd-and-5 from KC 31, Mills overthrows Akins, but DPI by Thornhill is flagged, and yet another penalty extends the drive.

Mills is flushed from the pocket on 1st down, inexplicably won't throw it away, but the Chiefs commit another penalty, illegal contact by Thornhill downfield on Dorsett. False start by Laremy Tunsil pushed the Texans to the 13. Mills completes to Akins for the touchdown. Another penalty on the Chiefs is declined, and the score stands.

Extra point is good.

Texans 21, Chiefs 16
1:25 left in the 3rd quarter

[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)