CJ Stroud limps out onto the field and clearly he's being troubled by that injury - he still fires a pass under pressure but it's not collected by Xavier Hutchinson.

Ndamukong Suh
Former NFL defensive tackle and 2021 Super Bowl winner on Sky Sports

It's not even close, it's a terrible call from the referees. Will Anderson pushes his hands and hits Mahomes' throwing arm first, then leans into the chest. Mahomes knows how to act.

Troy Aikman
Three-time Super Bowl winner on ESPN/ABC

The key to this game for Houston is being able to disrupt Mahomes, being able to get to him and rush four. If he’s back their holding on to the ball, this is a defensive front that thinks they can win

Field goal - Chiefspublished at 22:00 Greenwich Mean Time 18 January

22:00 GMT 18 January

Houston Texans 3-6 Kansas City Chiefs

Harrison Butker nails a 36-yarder to restore the lead for the Chiefs but again that's some really hot red zone defence from Houston - who seem to really ramp up the pressure just when they need to.

Will Anderson shows tremendous athleticism to drag Xavier Worthy down behind the line, before Patrick Mahomes also goes down on the scramble under all kinds of pressure the Texans defence really turns up the heat.

Mahomes is almost sacked on third down too so the field goal unit has to come out.

Xavier Worthy, what have you done!?

Patrick Mahomes is hit as he makes the throw and the ball's ab it higher than he;d like, slightly behind Worthy, who spins in the air and somehow takes the catch.

The Chiefs take advantage of that penalty with Patrick Mahomes hitting Travis Kelce down the right sideline for 23 yards.

We've seen that before...

Patrick Mahomes' third-down pass is off the mark, but Houston's Will Anderson comes steaming in and whacks Mahomes. He's flag for roughing the passer - a hit to Mahomes' head area - and that costs the Texans 15 yards and a first down.

Big, big penalty.

Fals start from the Chiefs offence on third down is not a good sign - surprise, surprise it's Jawaan Taylor.

Isiah Pacheco with a nice gain of seven on first down, thanks to a little help from his friends. Really interesting to see how the Chiefs have transitioned from highpowered passing attack to a defensive run-first outfit.

Ouch!published at 21:50 Greenwich Mean Time 18 January

21:50 GMT 18 January

Houston Texans 3-3 Kansas City Chiefs

CJ Stroud is limping heavily on the sidelines, looks like it could be an ankle problem or lower leg at least. One to keep an eye on.

Nico Collins is going to be a key guy throughout this game. He is by far the best Texans receiver at beating the kind of coverage the Chiefs run. I expect him to see a lot of attention.

Field goal - Texanspublished at 21:49 Greenwich Mean Time 18 January

21:49 GMT 18 January

Houston Texans 3-3 Kansas City Chiefs

Ooo - CJ Stroud can't complete a pass out to the left and he's almost intercepted. He follows that with a third-down scramble which goes nowhere and the Texans settle for a 30-yard field goal from Ka'imi Fairbairn to level the game.

He looks like he's limping off the field though.

Image source, Getty Images

Too easy for CJ Stroud to complete a crucial third down as Nico Collins is unchallenged at the line and can just run a quick slant over the middle for 13 yards and a first down.

Tight end Dalton Schultz breaks free down the middle and gathers a 34-yard pass from CJ Stroud. Always baffles me how these big tight ends manage to evade coverage but Schultz gallops away down to the Chiefs' 35.

Image source, Getty Images

CJ Stroud was the second-most sacked quarterback during the 2024 regular season, and he was sacked three more times during the Wild Card victory against the LA Chargers.

He's been kept clean so far though...

First down for Houston after a nice short pass from CJ Stroud, getting the ball out nice and early as he has to do tonight.

Texans's quarterback CJ Stroud on what his team needs to do to win today: "Every play matters. It’s now how you start, it’s about getting to the fourth quarter and winning that.

"Taking care of the football - overall they are a great defence and it’s going to be a hell of a battle."

It's already a battle for Houston...

Troy Aikman
Three-time Super Bowl winner on ESPN/ABC

To be able to come out defensively and force a field goal attempt after a big kick-off return - that’s big time from this Texans defence

Image source, get

The Texans offense may not have convinced this season, but the defence certainly has. That's a strong stand after a dodgy start by the Houston special teams unit.

Only the Minnesota Vikings made more interceptions (24) than the Texans during the 2024 regular season.