The Chiefs’ Knile Davis took the opening kickoff 106 yards to give Kansas City a 7-0 lead over Houston. Quarterback Alex Smith threw for 190 yards and one touchdown in 17 of 22 passes to lead the Chiefs.
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His second interception came one snap after the Texans opted for a direct snap to defensive end J.J. Watt, a freaky play call that resulted in a one-yard loss.
Inspired by quarterback Ben Roethlisberger’s return to the game after he was earlier withdrawn with a shoulder injury following a bone-jarring sack, Pittsburgh marched down the field.
As for the divisional round, it’s the Kansas City Chiefs travelling to face the New England Patriots, while the Steelers getting a regular season rematch on the road against the Denver Broncos.
It was second-longest return in postseason history and the fifth time the opening kick was returned for a touchdown in a playoff game.
Houston’s challenge unravelled after a nightmare display from quarterback Brian Hoyer, who was intercepted four times while making only 15 of 34 attempts for 136 yards. Travis Kelce led in receiving with 128 yards in eight catches.
Hoyer followed by hitting Chiefs linebacker Josh Mauga squarely in the hands.
Star receiver DeAndre Hopkins noted that it’s all but impossible to win a playoff game with five turnovers and said he didn’t feel bad for Hoyer. Houston’s defense kept the Texans close in the first half, but J.J. Watt left with an injury in the third quarter, Jadeveon Clowney never even put on his jersey and the Chiefs were able to close the game out in the second half.
Watt injured his groin midway through the third quarter. Hoyer was showed with boos when he returned to the field following his third interception despite the fact that he entered to just kneel on the ball with the first half almost complete. After Kansas City scored four seconds into the fourth quarter to go up 27-0, Hoyer stuck as the starter.
Texans coach Bill O’Brien said Clowney suffered a mid-foot sprain, which is a small tear in the ligament, and that he does not think Clowney will need surgery to fix the injury.
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I wasn’t ready. We got that invite to the dance, and we didn’t come out and do what we needed to do today. Kansas City have played six of those 10 matchups against franchises that made it to the 2016 National Football League playoffs.
