The Houston Texans can make franchise history if somehow they manage to take down Patrick Mahomes in his own backyard next weekend.
The Texans, fresh off a 32-12 win over the Los Angeles Chargers in the wild-card round, travel back to Arrowhead for a rematch of Week 16 against the Kansas City Chiefs in the divisional round.
Houston (11-7) enters next weekend’s showdown as an 8-point road underdog against Kansas City (15-2), according to odds from BetMGM. The over/under is currently set at 42, while the money line is at +340.
The Texans do not have fond recent memories of their times against the defending Super Bowl champions. In Week 16’s Saturday showdown, wide receiver Tank Dell suffered a season-ending knee injury and was carted off after hauling in a touchdown pass during the third quarter.
Houston would go on to lose 27-19 behind a two-interception outing by C.J. Stroud.
Of course, Houston also went to Arrowhead for the AFC Divisonal Round amid the 2019 season. Does everyone remember that game? If not, let’s refresh your memory with a 24-0 first quarter.
The Texans gave up 28 points in the second quarter and lost by 20 in a 51-31 blowout under then-coach Bill O’Brien and quarterback Deshaun Watson.
Houston should feel great about its odds after intercepting Justin Herbert four times on Saturday, including one for a pick-six in the third quarter. The offense also scored two touchdowns while special teams were on point.
“Our defense, they dominated today,” Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said. “That’s who we want to be. They played our brand of football. They stopped the run first. That’s what I’m most proud of is how we stop the run. And when we stop the run, you make a team one-dimensional, and that’s when our defensive line just causes havoc.”