Chiefs Face Uphill Battle vs. Texans With Offensive Line in Shambles
Patrick Mahomes is no stranger to adversity. But what he's staring down this Sunday might be his toughest challenge yet this season-and it’s coming at the worst possible time.
The Kansas City Chiefs are heading into a must-win matchup against the Houston Texans, and they’ll likely be doing it without three-fifths of their starting offensive line. That’s not just a tough break-it’s a potential game-changer.
According to ESPN’s Field Yates, the Chiefs have listed right tackle Jawaan Taylor and right guard Trey Smith as doubtful for Sunday night. Taylor’s dealing with both triceps and knee issues, while Smith is trying to work through an ankle injury. That’s on top of the earlier loss of standout rookie tackle Josh Simmons, who was placed on injured reserve earlier this week with a wrist injury.
That’s three starting linemen likely out against the NFL’s top-ranked defense.
Let’s not sugarcoat it: Houston’s defense isn’t just good-it’s been dominant. The Texans lead the league in total defense, allowing just 265.7 yards per game, and they’re also tops in scoring defense, giving up only 16.5 points per contest.
They’ve racked up 34 sacks-only six teams have more-and their 12 interceptions are tied for third-most in the league. They get after quarterbacks, they force turnovers, and they don’t give up much on the ground or through the air.
That’s the wall Mahomes is about to run into, and he may have to do it without the protection he’s used to.
The timing couldn’t be worse. The Chiefs are coming off a gut-punch of a loss to the Dallas Cowboys on Thanksgiving-a 31-28 thriller that drew over 57 million viewers, making it the most-watched regular-season game in NFL history.
Kansas City showed flashes of the urgency that Travis Kelce had been calling for in recent weeks, but in the end, it wasn’t enough. The margin was razor-thin, and the Chiefs came out on the wrong side.
Before that, they pulled off a dramatic comeback against the Colts in Week 12, but the issues that have plagued them all season still linger. The offense has lacked rhythm, and outside of Kelce, Mahomes hasn’t had consistent playmakers step up. The running backs have been hit-or-miss, and the wide receiver corps has struggled to gain separation or hold onto the ball in key moments.
And then there’s the defense, which hasn’t been able to consistently hold leads or create the kind of momentum-shifting plays we’ve seen from past Chiefs units. It’s been a season of near-misses and missed opportunities, and at 6-6, Kansas City doesn’t have much margin for error left.
That’s what makes Sunday’s game so pivotal. The Texans are surging, and they’re not just a feel-good story anymore-they’re a legitimate playoff contender with a defense that can take over games. For the Chiefs, this is a gut-check moment.
There’s an old saying in football: your best players have to be your best players. That’s never been more true than it is right now for Kansas City. Mahomes, Kelce, Chris Jones-this is the moment where stars need to shine, even when the supporting cast is banged up or underperforming.
We’ve seen Mahomes pull off magic before. We’ve seen him carry rosters that looked less than championship-worthy all the way to the mountaintop.
The 2023 team, which hoisted the Lombardi despite its flaws, is proof of that. But this year’s road is steeper, and the clock is ticking.
Sunday night in Houston isn’t just another game-it’s a litmus test. Can Mahomes overcome a depleted line and take down the league’s stingiest defense? Can the Chiefs rediscover the urgency and execution that’s defined their best moments?
We’re about to find out.