The Kansas City Chiefs proved once again why they’re a force to be reckoned with in the playoffs, emerging from a tight 23-14 Divisional Round win over the Houston Texans. The team’s defense, led by coordinator Steve Spagnuolo and defensive end George Karlaftis, played a crucial role in securing the victory.
Spagnuolo’s unit forced eight sacks on quarterback C.J. Stroud, limiting Houston to just 336 total yards compared to Kansas City’s 212. The defense also allowed only two players, running back Joe Mixon and Stroud himself, to gain significant yardage on the ground.
The Chiefs’ offense struggled at times, but ultimately made enough plays to stay ahead of the Texans. Patrick Mahomes led the team with a clutch performance, while George Karlaftis had an outstanding game with three sacks in the final quarter alone.
“We’re sitting here, it’s that time of the year,” head coach Andy Reid explained postgame. “Guys stepped up and did just a nice job.” The Chiefs’ defense took advantage of Spagnuolo’s game plan, which included blitz after blitz to disrupt the Texans’ offense.
The team’s ability to win close games without relying on explosive plays is a hallmark of their season. With only two more games left in the playoffs, Mahomes has every faith that his team can carry this approach into next week and make a deep run in the tournament.
Source: https://www.nfl.com/news/andy-reid-explains-how-chiefs-defense-rose-again-to-big-moments-vs-texans-it-s-that-time-of-the-year