In a decisive divisional round playoff matchup, the Kansas City Chiefs clinched a 23-14 victory against the Houston Texans. A late surge of heroics from quarterback Patrick Mahomes and tight end Travis Kelce proved pivotal in securing this win for the Chiefs.

With a slim one-point lead in the early stages of the fourth quarter, Mahomes delivered a crucial touchdown pass to Kelce while falling to the ground, extending Kansas City's lead further. Although Mahomes experienced some challenges during the game, his ability to evade turnovers and keep drives alive was instrumental. He completed 16 of 25 passes for 177 yards and one touchdown, while also rushing for 14 yards on seven attempts. Kelce, while having a quiet regular season in terms of yardage, showcased his playoff prowess once again, catching seven passes for 117 yards and one touchdown.

Notably, Kelce’s performance included a remarkable 49-yard reception in the second quarter, which helped him surpass the 100-yard mark in receiving for a postseason game for the ninth time, a new NFL record. The Chiefs' defense also played a significant role in the game's outcome, as they managed to sack Texans' quarterback C.J. Stroud eight times, effectively limiting the Texans' offensive capabilities. Despite accumulating 336 total yards, Houston managed to score only one touchdown and faced issues with penalties, receiving eight flags for 82 yards. With this victory, the Chiefs advanced to the AFC Championship Game for the seventh consecutive year, where they will await the outcome of the upcoming matchup between the Buffalo Bills and Baltimore Ravens.