Houston Texans @ Kansas City Chiefs
Final Score: Texans 20, Chiefs 10
Writer: Christian Otteman (@COttemanPL on Twitter)
A crucial game between two AFC playoff hopefuls played out as a defensive battle in cold weather. The Texans’ ferocious defense kept Patrick Mahomes in check while Andy Reid made some questionable decisions on fourth downs to give Houston great field position on multiple occasions late in the game. The Texans’ offense did just enough to get a couple of scores and earn a hard-fought victory. The Chiefs fell below .500 and lost their streak of division titles, while the Texans continued their playoff push in a definitive win.
Three Up
- C.J. Stroud — Not the most eye-popping box score, but he made some excellent plays using his legs and arm.
- Nico Collins — Had some huge gains and great plays, showing why he’s one of the most talented receivers in the league.
- Texans’ defense — Watching this defensive unit play is like poetry in motion.
One Down
- Chiefs’ Offense — A bad game against an elite defense in cold weather. Don’t fret too much.
Houston Texans
Quarterback
C.J. Stroud: 15/31, 203 Yards, TD | 2 Carries, 5 Yards
C.J. Stroud played an impressive game in a tough road environment at Arrowhead Stadium. Stroud led the Texans to a couple of early scoring drives to take a 10-0 lead into halftime. Stroud connected with Nico Collins for some big plays early and he also used his legs to extend multiple plays and convert long gains on third down while escaping pressure. Stroud looks healthy and mobile, but he wasn’t perfect, as he missed an open receiver on a couple of occasions. He has some favorable matchups the next two weeks and will be a streamer to consider if you’re in a tough spot.
Stroud stands tall and delivers on 3rd down!
HOUvsKC on NBC
Stream on @NFLPlus + Peacock pic.twitter.com/8bDFjnUeLk— NFL (@NFL) December 8, 2025
Running Back
Woody Marks: 26 Carries, 68 Yards | 3 Targets, 2 Receptions, 8 Yards, TD
Woody Marks maintained his dominance of the Texans’ backfield last night, handling 29 of 31 running back opportunities. Marks’ touchdown came on a third-and-goal play where he was left alone and walked into the end zone. Marks otherwise had very few highlights against Chris Jones and the rest of the Chiefs’ defensive line and was also dominated on a couple of pass-protection assignments. While not a memorable performance, it was still productive, and the most important takeaway is the continued ownership of the starting role, even before Nick Chubb left with an injury.
Woody Marks left open for the TD!
HOUvsKC on NBC
Stream on @NFLPlus + Peacock pic.twitter.com/VwxOpWAePw— NFL (@NFL) December 8, 2025
Nick Chubb: 1 Carry, 3 Yards
Nick Chubb left this game early with a rib injury and did not return. Chubb wasn’t an appealing fantasy option, and unsurprisingly, nobody in this backfield behind him is either.
Dare Ogunbowale: 1 Carry, 5 Yards, TD
Dare Ogunbowale came in for a snap while Marks was being evaluated for an injury and punched in the go-ahead touchdown. Talk about making the most of your opportunities.
Wide Receiver/Tight End
Nico Collins: 8 Targets, 4 Receptions, 121 Yards
Nico Collins looked the part of an alpha wide receiver on Sunday night. Collins demonstrated excellent route running, body control, and athleticism throughout multiple plays. In the first half alone, he caught a deep pass on a jump ball and also ran back to catch an across-the-body throw from Stroud that he took for 54 yards after turning upfield and finding a hole in the Chiefs’ defense. Collins is a big-play threat poised for a big fantasy playoff performance or two with matchups against the Cardinals and Raiders on deck.
UNREAL throw from CJ Stroud to Nico Collins!
HOUvsKC on NBC
Stream on @NFLPlus + Peacock pic.twitter.com/fEbvMRj5K9— NFL (@NFL) December 8, 2025
Jayden Higgins: 5 Targets, 3 Receptions, 34 Yards
Not the most impressive stat line, but the Texans repeatedly went to Jayden Higgins in crucial moments, and the rookie delivered with clutch catches on multiple third downs. This also marked his fifth straight game with at least five targets. Higgins is continuing to show signs of growth in the second half of the season, and he’s in flex consideration next week against the Cardinals.
Dalton Schultz: 4 Targets, 3 Receptions, 22 Yards
Dalton Schultz, like most offensive players tonight, had a fairly quiet stat line, but it could have been much more productive if he didn’t have a touchdown called back due to penalty.
Jaylin Noel: 2 Targets, 2 Receptions, 12 Yards
Christian Kirk: 3 Targets, 1 Reception, 6 Yards
Xavier Hutchinson: 2 Targets, 0 Receptions
Kansas City Chiefs
Quarterback
Patrick Mahomes: 14/33, 160 Yards, 3 INT | 7 Carries, 59 Yards | 1 Self-Reception for -10 Yards
It was a very difficult night for Patrick Mahomes, but that’s not anything to be ashamed of against the league’s toughest defense. The most consistent way the Chiefs were moving the ball early on was via Mahomes’ legs on scrambles, and he finished as the team’s leading rusher. His first interception was more an incredible play by Jalen Pitre than a big miscue by the quarterback. Mahomes’ second pick was a semi-arm punt where he underthrew Hollywood Brown. He also had an excellent pass to Tyquan Thornton in the end zone that was simply defended better for an incompletion. Such is the story with quarterbacks against the Texans. This defense is absolutely smothering and has shut down Mahomes and Josh Allen in the past few weeks. You shouldn’t be all too concerned with this modest fantasy output ahead of the fantasy playoffs.
Running Back
Kareem Hunt: 12 Carries, 30 Yards, TD | 1 Target, 0 Receptions
It’s never all that pretty, but Kareem Hunt is holding on to a string of fantasy viability thanks to his stranglehold on the goal-line role in Kansas City. Hunt punched in his eighth rushing touchdown and fifth in his last six games early in the second half on a fourth-and-1 from the 2-yard line. Hunt also dropped an easy pass from Mahomes that would have probably resulted in a first down. The unimpressive efficiency but top-tier goal line usage keep Hunt as a weekly touchdown-dependent flex option.
Isiah Pacheco: 9 Carries, 30 Yards
Isiah Pacheco took the ball on the Chiefs’ first series, technically making him this game’s starter, but he still finished second to Hunt in carries and third in rushing yards. Pacheco also was used early on in short-yardage situations, but that unfortunately didn’t translate to goal-to-go situations later in the game. Pacheco unfortunately still isn’t startable in fantasy due to a limited role with low-value touches.
Brashard Smith: 1 Carry, 7 Yards
Wide Receiver/Tight End
Rashee Rice: 8 Targets, 4 Receptions, 34 Yards
The Chiefs continued to give Rashee Rice the ball in creative ways, but he wasn’t able to do much with his opportunities this time around. Rice’s biggest impact on the game came on a fourth-down drop in the fourth quarter, giving the Texans the ball in Kansas City territory. Rice remains the most dangerous weapon for Mahomes, but faces another tough test against the Chargers in Week 15. He should still be started in all formats as a WR1.
Travis Kelce: 5 Targets, 1 Reception, 8 Yards
Travis Kelce knew he was in trouble when he walked in to Arrowhead to face the Texans’ defense. Kelce had by far his worst performance of the season, catching just one pass and bobbling another to cause Mahomes’ third interception of the day. Kelce still has a very safe target floor and should be started as a TE1 in next week’s tilt against the Chargers.
OFF KELCE'S HANDS INTO AL-SHAAIR'S GRASP.
HOUvsKC on NBC
Stream on @NFLPlus + Peacock pic.twitter.com/An7H5798nE— NFL (@NFL) December 8, 2025
Xavier Worthy: 4 Targets, 3 Receptions, 55 Yards
Xavier Worthy was just about the only thing that worked for the Chiefs on offense Sunday, and most of his production came on a couple of chunk plays. Despite leading the team in yards, Worthy was unsurprisingly third in targets behind Rice and Kelce, which speaks the truth on his current role in this offense. Worthy remains a touchdown-dependent option moving forward.
Hollywood Brown: 2 Targets, 1 Reception, 35 Yards
Tyquan Thornton: 3 Targets, 2 Receptions, 19 Yards
Noah Gray: 3 Targets, 1 Reception, 14 Yards
JuJu Smith-Schuster: 2 Targets, 1 Reception, 5 Yards