The Houston Texans have earned another trip to Arrowhead for a matchup with the Kansas City Chiefs.
The Texans lost 27-19 to the Chiefs during the regular season on Dec. 21. C.J. Stroud threw for 244 yards and 2 touchdowns, but he also threw 2 costly interceptions.
Here are the opening Texans vs. Chiefs odds for the NFL Wild Card Round of the playoffs next weekend.
Texans vs. Chiefs Odds
| Texans Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+7.5 -120 | 42.5 -110o / -110u | +275 |
| Chiefs Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-7.5 +100 | 42.5 -110o / -110u | -340 |
- Texans vs. Chiefs spread: Chiefs -7.5
- Texans vs. Chiefs total: Over/Under 42.5 points scored
- Texans vs. Chiefs moneylines: Chiefs -340, Texans +275
These odds are as of Sunday at 3:55 p.m. ET.
Texans vs. Chiefs Projection
Sean Koerner, Action Network's director of predictive analytics, is delivering us his early projections for every playoff game as each matchup is set.
Koerner projects this spread at Chiefs -7.5 with the over/under set at 42 points scored.
Houston Texans
By Brandon Anderson
Weirdly enough, the Texans somehow managed to coast to a division title without much opposition while also disappointing all season long. Houston started 5-1 against a soft schedule and beat the Bills early, but it’s been pretty ugly and forgettable since.
The offense has been perhaps the most disappointing unit in football. Everyone expected Bobby Slowik’s unit to make a leap under sophomore QB C.J. Stroud, but instead it ranks bottom quarter of the league in DVOA and even worse in metrics like EPA and Success Rate. Houston has struggled to run the ball and Stroud has been inconsistent at best throwing to a receiving corps decimated by injuries and over reliant on Nico Collins.
Houston’s defense has been its calling card. Will Anderson and Danielle Hunter are a menacing pass rushing duo off the edge, and young CB Derek Stingley Jr. leads an improved secondary. The Texans forced Justin Herbert into one of the worst performances of his career in the Wild Card Round en route to a blowout win.
If DeMeco Ryans’ team makes a postseason push, it will be on the back of this stout defense.
Kansas City Chiefs
By Brandon Anderson
You already know all about the Chiefs’ season, and why wouldn’t you? Kansas City survived by a toenail in the opener, won by a point in Week 2, and has been pulling off close victories all season. The Chiefs finished 11-0 in one-score games and are the 1-seed once again as they look to become the first team in NFL history to win three straight Super Bowls.
Patrick Mahomes leads the way, as always. This wasn’t the best statistical season for Mahomes but he still makes all the plays on third down and late when needed, and the offense rounded into form late in the season as DeAndre Hopkins settled into the offense next to Travis Kelce, rookie Xavier Worthy, and the healthy return of Isaiah Pacheco. The offensive line has been a weak spot, especially at tackle, and this offense is more good than great but might be saving itself for the playoffs.
The defense was outstanding early but saw a big midseason dip, especially against the pass. Steve Spagnuolo always seems to get this unit to peak at the right time, though, and this defense is playing its best ball with Jaylen Warren back healthy next to Trent McDuffie at corner now.
This isn’t the best Chiefs team we’ve seen, but Kansas City is 15-2 either way, and the Chiefs are two home wins away from a shot at NFL history.
