Final score: Chiefs defeat Texans 34-20 to open title defense

With each NFL year comes a fresh start for every organization — but it was difficult to see the Kansas City Chiefs and Houston Texans and not think of the 24-0 lead the Texans blew in last year’s Divisional round. The Chiefs went on a 51-7 run and won that game by 20.

On Thursday night, the Chiefs only had to come back from seven points, which they did, defeating Houston in convincing fashion, 34-20. The most hyped Chiefs rookie since quarterback Patrick Mahomes, running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire shined as he compiled 25 carries for 138 yards and his first career touchdown. Mahomes was 24 of 32 for 211 yards and three touchdowns.

Edward-Helaire’s score came in the third quarter. The running back made two cuts on the play — left and then right and then in the end zone for 27 yards and a 24-7 Chiefs lead.

On a night with all the hype leading into the game for the Chiefs’ rookie, it was Texans veteran David Johnson, who Houston acquired in the controversial trade for DeAndre Hopkins in the offseason, that struck first. Johnson cut to his right just out of the grasp of rookie cornerback L’Jarius Sneed and ran 19 yards for a touchdown to give Houston a 7-0 lead in the first quarter. The Chiefs tied the game on their next drive when Mahomes stepped back from the 6-yard line and managed to find tight end Travis Kelce despite heavy traffic in the end zone.

The Chiefs’ next drive took most of the second quarter thanks to a heavy dosage of the run game. Edwards-Helaire and backup running back Darrel Williams combined for 55 rushing yards on a series that drained more than nine minutes off the clock. Sammy Watkins received a 2-yard touchdown to make it 14-7, and kicker Harrison Butker connected on a 29-yard field goal as the Chiefs led 17-7 heading into the halftime locker room.

Aside from the early scoring drive, Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson could not find a rhythm for much of the game. On the first play of the fourth quarter, safety Tyrann Mathieu pressured Watson, leading to a bad throw into the hands of Sneed. Sneed made the first start of his career in place of suspended veteran Bashaud Breeland. Mahomes used the short field to dish wide receiver Tyreek Hill his first touchdown of the season.

Watson and the Texans showed life late in the fourth quarter, scoring two touchdowns with the Chiefs dealing with injuries to their defense, but Kansas City already had the game in hand.

Injury

• Defensive tackle Khalen Saunders left during the first quarter with an injury to his left arm.
• Defensive end Alex Okafor left during the third quarter with a hamstring injury.
• Cornerback Charvarius Ward left during the fourth quarter with a hand injury.

Special teams

• Punter Tommy Townsend booted a nice ball from the Houston 43-yard line that was downed by wide receiver Byron Pringle at their 5-yard line.
• In addition to Butker’s earlier field goal, he added a 19-yarder in the closing minutes to seal the victory.

Rapid reaction

The game’s rapid reaction will be posted to our homepage shortly.

Statistics