Texans Fall Short in Wild Card Thriller Against Chiefs
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The 7th-seeded Houston Texans pushed the 2nd-seeded Kansas City Chiefs to the brink but ultimately fell 41-34 in a thrilling Wild Card showdown on Sunday.
Few gave the Texans (10-8) a chance against the powerhouse Chiefs, but rookie quarterback Drake Maye silenced the doubters with a spectacular performance. Maye threw for 328 yards and four touchdowns, showcasing the poise and talent that made him the second overall pick.
Houston carried a seven-point lead into the fourth quarter, but the Chiefs, led by Patrick Mahomes, capitalized on two late drives to take control. The injury-depleted Texans fought valiantly but couldn't muster a final answer as time expired on their 2024 campaign.
“We didn’t come here to play close; we came to win,” said GM TH. “But I’m proud of this team. Drake showed today why he’s our guy, and this group never stopped fighting despite all the adversity we faced this season.”
While the loss ends Houston's season, the effort signals a bright future for a team built around its young QB.
49ers Dominate Eagles to Advance to Divisional Round
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — The 2nd-seeded San Francisco 49ers left no doubt in their Wild Card matchup, dismantling the 7th-seeded Philadelphia Eagles 38-14 on Sunday.
Behind a stellar performance from 3GML MVP Jordan Love, the 49ers (11-7) rolled to 474 yards of total offense in a game that was decided early. Love carved up the Eagles’ defense, throwing for 349 yards and five touchdowns.
Wide receivers CeeDee Lamb and Diontae Johnson both eclipsed the 100-yard mark, with Lamb tallying 113 yards and a score, while Johnson added 100 yards and a touchdown of his own. The offensive outburst and a smothering defensive effort ensured the Niners’ victory never came into question.
“Jordan showed why he’s the MVP,” said head coach Kyle Shanahan. “When he’s on, this offense is tough to stop, and today was one of those days.”
With the win, the 49ers move on to the Divisional Round, where they will host the 3rd-seeded New York Giants in a battle of NFC powerhouses.
