Jerick McKinnon’s 26-yard touchdown run with 5:13 left in overtime Sunday helped the Kansas City Chiefs clinch the AFC West title for the seventh straight season, courtesy of a 30-24 win over the host Houston Texans.
McKinnon’s second touchdown of the day came on the first play after Texans quarterback Davis Mills fumbled while scrambling on a 6-yard run. Kansas City’s Willie Gay recovered the ball to set up the winning score.
It was the only mistake for Houston, which gave itself a chance for the win by playing a clean game while the Chiefs (11-3) made one error after another. Kansas City committed two turnovers that led to Texan touchdowns and tied its season high with 10 penalties for 102 yards.
But Patrick Mahomes was brilliant, completing 36 of 41 passes for 336 yards and two touchdowns. He also ran for 33 yards and a touchdown.
Mills hit on 12 of 24 attempts for 121 yards and accounted for three touchdowns (two passing, one rushing) as the Texans fell to a league-worst 1-12-1 with their ninth straight loss.
Houston forced overtime when Ka’imi Fairbairn hit a 29-yard field goal with 5:11 left in regulation. Kansas City had a chance to win the game, but Harrison Butker sprayed a 51-yard field goal wide right with eight seconds remaining.
Despite being a heavy underdog, Houston again delivered a sound, mistake-free effort to push its opponent. After coming within a late touchdown of upsetting Dallas last week, the Texans made Kansas City earn what it got during regulation.
Houston initiated scoring on Mills’ 8-yard touchdown pass to Teagan Quitoriano with 1:01 left in the first quarter, capping an 80-yard drive that lasted nearly six minutes. Mahomes tied the game at 7 with a 20-yard strike to McKinnon at the 12:27 mark of the second quarter.
The Texans regained the lead two plays after a Chiefs’ turnover as Mills rolled left and zipped 17 yards with 9:19 remaining.
Kansas City responded on a 4-yard touchdown pass from Mahomes to Marquez Valdes-Scantling with 14 seconds on the clock, but Butker missed the PAT to keep Houston ahead 14-13 at the half.
After Butker’s 27-yard field goal put the Chiefs ahead 16-14 six minutes into the third quarter, the Texans regained the lead on Mills’ 12-yard touchdown toss to Jordan Akins with 1:25 left in the quarter.
Four minutes into the fourth quarter, Mahomes used his legs to give the Chiefs a 24-21 lead as he scampered five yards into the end zone to cap a nine-play, 84-yard drive.
–Field Level Media
