The Kansas City Chiefs are poised to make history as they aim for a three-peat, starting with a divisional round matchup against C.J. Stroud and the Houston Texans this Saturday. Patrick Mahomes holds an impressive 14-0 postseason record against quarterbacks outside of Joe Burrow and Tom Brady, and his divisional round performance has been flawless. Meanwhile, the Texans face a daunting challenge as they have yet to win a playoff game on the road and have historically struggled in this round.

In their last encounter, a pivotal moment occurred when Tank Dell caught a game-tying touchdown but was injured, leading to the Chiefs pulling away for a 14th victory. As the Texans regroup after their Wild Card win over the Los Angeles Chargers, they must strategize effectively to upset Mahomes and the Chiefs. Key strategies include limiting Mahomes' rushing ability, winning the turnover battle, and finding another offensive weapon to complement Joe Mixon and Nico Collins.

The Houston Texans secured a 32-12 victory over the Los Angeles Chargers, rallying from a 6-0 deficit in their wild-card playoff game. Quarterback C.J. Stroud made a pivotal play after fumbling a snap, managing to connect with Xavier Hutchinson for a significant 34-yard gain. This play was crucial in shifting the game's momentum, allowing the Texans to score 23 consecutive points.

Stroud's performance included throwing for 282 yards, a touchdown to Nico Collins, and running for 42 yards, showcasing his adaptability. Coach DeMeco Ryans praised Stroud's ability to step up in critical moments, emphasizing that such plays define playoff football. The Texans' defense shone as well, intercepting Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert four times, marking a franchise playoff record.

The Houston Texans delivered a crushing blow to the Los Angeles Chargers in the AFC wild-card playoff with a decisive 32-12 victory, marking a disappointing end to a season filled with hope. Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert had a dismal performance, throwing a career-high four interceptions, including a pick-six that proved pivotal. This marked a stark contrast to the Chargers’ previous offensive success, as their recent scoring surge against weaker opponents was quickly exposed by the Texans' formidable defense.

Despite Herbert's struggles, he managed to connect for an 86-yard touchdown pass to Ladd McConkey, momentarily narrowing the Texans' lead. However, the Chargers' inability to convert on critical plays, compounded by a blocked extra point attempt, underscored their reputation for faltering in crucial moments. C.J. Stroud, the Texans' quarterback, showcased resilience, turning a fumbled snap into a touchdown pass and guiding his team to a solid halftime lead.

The Los Angeles Chargers faced a disappointing defeat against the Houston Texans in their AFC wild-card game, succumbing to a score of 32-12. Quarterback Justin Herbert struggled significantly, throwing a career-high four interceptions, marking a stark contrast from his regular-season performance. This loss marked the second consecutive playoff game where the Chargers fell short, following a dramatic loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars two years prior.

Despite leading 10-6 at halftime, the Chargers were unable to regain control in the second half. A pivotal moment occurred when a blocked extra point returned by D'Angelo Ross shifted momentum, bolstering the Texans' lead to 25-12. The game exemplified the Chargers' ongoing playoff woes, with key players failing to deliver under pressure.

The Houston Texans struggled offensively for the first quarter and a half against the Los Angeles Chargers, but C.J. Stroud ignited a spectacular drive late in the second quarter. Starting from their own 1-yard line, the Texans executed a 99-yard touchdown drive, with Stroud throwing for 101 yards, a rare feat accomplished by only two quarterbacks in playoff history since 1991.

Stroud's performance featured a remarkable 34-yard completion to Xavier Hutchinson after a fumbled snap on a critical third-and-16, setting the momentum for the Texans. Later, he connected with Nico Collins for a touchdown, giving Houston a surprising lead after a lackluster start, where they managed only 41 yards in the first quarter.