The Kansas City Chiefs had no trouble dispatching a struggling Houston Texans outfit in the first game of the NFL playoffs.
REPORT: CHIEFS ROUT MISTAKE-PRONE TEXANS
The Chiefs came into the Texans’ house and just dominated from the opening kickoff – literally. A Knile Davis 106 yard kickoff return on the very first play of the game set the tone for how today would play out, and Kansas City orchestrated the first playoff shutout in over 10 years as they defeated Houston 30-0.
Alex Smith wasn’t perfect, but he had a good game nonetheless – 17 of 22 for 190 yards, a touchdown and a pick, with five carries for 27 yards. Spencer Ware carried the ball 16 times for 67 yards and a score, while Travis Kelce had a career night, hauling in eight passes for 128 yards.
For Houston, nothing seemed to go right and a large part of that was due to the awful play of Texans quarterback Brian Hoyer. Hoyer completed 15 of 34 for 136 yards and four interceptions – that’s not counting the fumble he lost as well.
Alfred Blue got it done on the ground (17 carries, 99 yards) while DeAndre Hopkins tried his best in the air (six catches, 69 yards), but when your quarterback is consistently turning the ball over, it’s going to be hard to win.
The Chiefs defense finished with three sacks, four interceptions and two forced fumbles, while the Texans defense finished with three sacks and one pick. Great game for Kansas City, and this could be the first step in a deep playoff run for this team.
They’ll play New England next week.
Final score
Houston Texans 0
Kansas City Chiefs 30
The Houston Texans and the Kansas City Chiefs are on the first step of their respective playoff journeys as they both hope to be able to play next week in the divisional round games. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 8:25 am (AEDT).
The Houston Texans are going into the wild card game on a three-game winning streak after victories over the Indianapolis Colts, Tennessee Titans and Jacksonville Jaguars.
Beating all three of your division rivals has to give you confidence heading into the postseason, but with a combined record of 16-32, it’s not exactly the sort of competition that would provide a good warmup heading into a match-up with a soaring Chiefs team.
Brian Hoyer didn’t play in every game of the season, but when he did, he played pretty well. Completing 60 per cent of his passes, the former Browns quarterback finished with 2,606 yards, 19 touchdowns and only seven interceptions for a 7.1 yards per attempt averaging a 91.4 QBR.
DeAndre Hopkins had a great year, and was rewarded with a Pro Bowl spot and an Second Team All-Pro selection. The third year product out of Clemson has slowly morphed into one of the best receivers in the league, and this season’s performance proved it.
Hopkins caught 111 passes for 1,521 yards – both good enough for third in the NFL. In addition, he caught 11 touchdowns, one of only 13 players in the league to have double digit receiving touchdowns.
On the defensive side, Houston had a number of players with good seasons. JJ Watt continued his dominance as one of the NFL’s best defensive players, and was rewarded with a Pro Bowl spot and a First Team All-Pro selection. His 17.5 sacks led the league, his three forced fumbles led the team, and Watt continues to play at an otherworldly level.
Elsewhere, Whitney Mercilus finished with 12 sacks and Andre Hal led the team with four interceptions.
After starting the season 1-5, the Kansas City Chiefs have gone on to win 10 straight games and finish with one of the best records in the NFL. The way this Chiefs team has turned it around and managed to defeat some pretty formidable opponents should be a worry for the Texans. Kansas City could very well extend their winning streak to 11 against Houston.
Alex Smith has been the underrated offensive weapon for this Chiefs team, concluding his 2015 regular season with 3,486 yards, 20 touchdowns, seven interceptions, a 65 per cent pass completion rate and a 95.4 QBR. Smith has found great success in Kansas City and while his numbers may not jump off the page, he’s had a solid year under center.
Jeremy Maclin topped 1000 receiving yards in his first season with the Chiefs, catching eight touchdown passes off 87 receptions. The former Philadelphia Eagle has found great success, and has teamed with Travis Kelce (72 catches, 845 yards, five touchdowns) to give Alex Smith some big time playmakers to throw to and make plays in the passing game.
Kansas City’s defence, much like Houston’s, has been dominant all season, with Tamba Hali (6.5 sacks, two forced fumbles), Justin Houston (7.5 sacks, one forced fumble, two interceptions with one returned for a touchdown) Marcus Peters (one forced fumble, eight interceptions with two returned for touchdowns) and Eric Berry (two interceptions) all selected to the Pro Bowl, with Derrick Johnson and Marcus Peters both making Second Team All-Pro.
Prediction: Houston has done well to get into the playoffs, but Kansas City will easily handle the offensively lacklustre Texans behind a dominant performance from Alex Smith. 250+ yards and three touchdowns combined with four sacks and two interceptions, one of them a pick six, will end all hopes of a victory and may give the Chiefs the legitimacy they deserve.
Will Alex Smith shine bright when it matters most?
Join The Roar this morning at 8:25 am AEDT for live score updates and debate in our live blog.
Jason Pollock
Roar Guru
FULL TIME The Chiefs came into the Texans' house and just dominated from the opening kickoff - literally. A Knile Davis 106 yard kickoff return on the very first play of the game set the tone for how today would play out, and Kansas City orchestrated the first playoff shutout in over 10 years as they defeated the Houston Texans 30-0. Alex Smith wasn't perfect, but he had a good game nonetheless - 17 of 22 for 190 yards, a touchdown and a pick, with five carries for 27 yards. Spencer Ware carried the ball 16 times for 67 yards and a score, while Travis Kelce had a career night, hauling in eight passes for 128 yards. For Houston, nothing seemed to go right and a large part of that was due to the awful play of Texans QB Brian Hoyer. Hoyer completed 15 of 34 for 136 yards and four interceptions - that's not counting the fumble he lost as well. Alfred Blue got it done on the ground (17 carries, 99 yards) while DeAndre Hopkins tried his best in the air (six catches, 69 yards), but when your QB is consistently turning the ball over, it's going to be hard to win. The Chiefs defense finished with three sacks, four interceptions and two forced fumbles, while the Texans defense finished with three sacks and one pick. Great game for Kansas City, and this could be the first step in a deep playoff run for this team. HOUSTON – 0 KANSAS CITY – 30 FINAL
Jason Pollock
Roar Guru
FIELD GOAL KANSAS CITY Cairo Santos makes the field goal from 33 yards out as the Chiefs' lead grows to 30. HOUSTON – 0 KANSAS CITY – 30 Q4: 4:00
Jason Pollock
Roar Guru
Brian Hoyer throws his fourth interception of the day, this time to Sean Smith. HOUSTON – 0 KANSAS CITY – 27 Q4: 6:20
Jason Pollock
Roar Guru
Alex Smith is sacked by Whitney Mercilus, his third sack of the day. HOUSTON – 0 KANSAS CITY – 27 Q4: 7:10
Jason Pollock
Roar Guru
Hoyer finds Jaelen Strong for a 17 yard pass and DeAndre Hopkins for a 17 yard pass, and it looks like the Texans could be looking to score. All of that is quickly stopped by an Allen Bailey fourth down sack of Hoyer, who fumbles the ball, recovers and turns it over on downs. Bad, bad day for the Texans' QB. HOUSTON – 0 KANSAS CITY – 27 Q4: 11:00
Jason Pollock
Roar Guru
Brian Hoyer finds Ryan Griffin for a 15 yard gain, and the Texans finally start moving the ball down the field. HOUSTON – 0 KANSAS CITY – 27 Q4: 14:50
Jason Pollock
Roar Guru
TOUCHDOWN KANSAS CITY As expected, the fourth quarter kicked off with a Chiefs score, as Spencer Ware finds the end zone from five yards out. HOUSTON – 0 KANSAS CITY – 27 Q4: 15:00
Jason Pollock
Roar Guru
END OF THE THIRD QUARTER The Chiefs have extended their lead to 20-0, and going into the fourth quarter only a few yards away from the end zone, the final 15 minutes could begin with yet another Kansas City score. HOUSTON – 0 KANSAS CITY – 20
Jason Pollock
Roar Guru
What a play by Travis Kelce! Alex Smith finds his number one target today once again, and the tight end gains a huge 48 yards on the play. HOUSTON – 0 KANSAS CITY – 20 Q3: 2:00
Jason Pollock
Roar Guru
TOUCHDOWN KANSAS CITY Alex Smith finds Chris Conley from nine yards out and the Chiefs are now up 20-0. HOUSTON – 0 KANSAS CITY – 20 Q3: 4:40
Jason Pollock
Roar Guru
Spencer Ware gains 12 yards on the ground, before a unnecessary roughness penalty called on Houston on the next play gives the Chiefs an automatic first down. HOUSTON – 0 KANSAS CITY – 13 Q3: 5:50
Jason Pollock
Roar Guru
Travis Kelce just keeps making plays - this time, the tight end catches the pass and gains 16 yards. HOUSTON – 0 KANSAS CITY – 13 Q3: 7:00
Jason Pollock
Roar Guru
Alex Smith finds Jeremy Maclin for a 16 yard gain, Maclin's longest catch of the day so far. HOUSTON – 0 KANSAS CITY – 13 Q3: 8:00
Jason Pollock
Roar Guru
Alex Smith breaks out of the pocket and runs for 64 yards, but the play is negated by a holding penalty on Kansas City. HOUSTON – 0 KANSAS CITY – 13 Q3: 10:00
Jason Pollock
Roar Guru
Alfred Blue runs the ball for 13 yards, and with Hoyer playing poorly, it looks like Houston may have to rely on their running back if they want to score some points today. HOUSTON – 0 KANSAS CITY – 13 Q3: 12:00
Jason Pollock
Roar Guru
HALF TIME Houston will get the ball to start the second half, and they'll need all the help they can get, staring at a 13-0 deficit heading into halftime. Brian Hoyer has turned the ball over FOUR times in the first half alone (three interceptions, one fumble lost) and it will be interesting to see if Bill O'Brien decides to start Brandon Weeden later in the game. Alfred Blue has 11 carries for 72 yards, while DeAndre Hopkins has caught four passes for 48 yards. On the other side, Kansas City has also failed to do much on offense, with Alex Smith putting up 73 yards and an interception so far. Travis Kelce has five passes for 58 yards. We knew this was going to be a defensive grind, but both teams will need to get going on offense to either solidify their lead or try and come back into it. HOUSTON – 0 KANSAS CITY – 13
Jason Pollock
Roar Guru
Spencer Ware makes the first big play of the game for the Chiefs on the ground as he gains 23 yards. HOUSTON – 0 KANSAS CITY – 13 Q2: 1:40
Jason Pollock
Roar Guru
Brian Hoyer launches a pass downfield, and as has become typical in today's game, the throw results in an interception and Kansas City regains possession. Marcus Peters made the pick. HOUSTON – 0 KANSAS CITY – 13 Q2: 2:00
Jason Pollock
Roar Guru
Whitney Mercilus gets his second sack of the day on Alex Smith. HOUSTON – 0 KANSAS CITY – 13 Q2: 3:40
Jason Pollock
Roar Guru
The Texans finally get into great field position, three yards from paydirt and Brian Hoyer throws an interception to Josh Mauga. That was Houston's best chance so far of getting some points on the board, and the Texans' QB blew it with his third turnover of the game. HOUSTON – 0 KANSAS CITY – 13 Q2: 4:00