The Houston Texans often played well enough to advance to their first-ever AFC Championship on Saturday afternoon. A collection of self-inflicted wounds kept Houston from achieving franchise history in a 23-12 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs in the divisional round.
Houston's leading men impressed as major underdogs against the two-time reigning Super Bowl champions. Quarterback C.J. Stroud tallied 245 passing yards, didn't throw an interception and added a gritty 43 rushing yards on a frigid evening at Arrowhead Stadium. Edge rusher Will Anderson Jr. wrecked Kansas City's offense in the first half, notching two sacks and an eight-yard tackle for loss.