Houston @ Kansas City preview
GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium
Last Meeting ( Dec 18, 2022 ) Kansas City 30, Houston 24
After sustaining a high right ankle sprain in the fourth quarter of a victory over the Cleveland Browns on Sunday, Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes left open the possibility that he could play on Saturday when Kansas City hosts the Houston Texans.
Initially saddled with a recovery period described as week-to-week, Mahomes was listed as a full participant in practice on Tuesday and said he aims to start for the Chiefs (13-1) this weekend. However, backup Carson Wentz fully is in play.
"That's the reason you play this game is to push to play," Mahomes said. "So I'll get the work in practice and try to push it to see where I get to. But at the end of the day, I'm not going to put our team in a bad position. So if I feel that I can play and go out there and win a football game, I'll play. If I don't feel that's the best-case scenario, I'll let Carson play.
"It's just about pushing it this week, seeing where I'm at and making the best decision then."
Mahomes projected optimism despite the injury, noting the progress made with treatment that followed the Sunday victory. With the AFC West title already in the bag and a two-game lead over the Buffalo Bills in the race for the top seed in the AFC, the Chiefs aren't exactly pressed to insert a hobbled Mahomes into their starting lineup.
Yet he is still willing to give it a shot.
"Obviously we've put ourselves in a good position where I wouldn't say it's dire that I play," Mahomes said. "We have a little bit of room to spare, but at the end of the day, we're trying to win. And I'm a competitor and I want to go out there and play.
"I'll push myself to get to the best place possible over these next few days and we'll make a decision then."
Like Kansas City, the Texans (9-5) already have clinched a playoff berth, securing their second consecutive AFC South crown with their 20-12 home win over the Miami Dolphins on Sunday.
While the Texans could elevate their seeding with a strong closing kick, the likelihood that they remain fourth in the standings seems as plausible as igniting a sudden, late-season surge.
That leaves Houston facing the annual predicament plenty of teams face after locking up a postseason berth while a handful of games remain in the regular season: How will the Texans approach the final three contests in advance of a wild-card tilt once the schedule is complete?
"Even though we've clinched the AFC South, it still doesn't change our approach," Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said. "When we line up and play, we're still trying to improve as a football team in all areas and try to play our best ball when playoffs time hits. So, we're trying to still improve, still do our best."
The first game for the Texans with the playoffs guaranteed will hinge as much on Mahomes' availability as their effort. Even considering the Chiefs' overall excellence, Mahomes remains the ultimate game-changer, and the Texans' odds for success are greater if he rests.
"I have no idea on if he's playing or not, so I really can't focus on it or be concerned about it," Ryans said. "... The light shines on Patrick a lot, but if you watch the Chiefs play, their defense is an outstanding unit.
"Coach (Andy) Reid and the offense, they're going to find a way no matter who is there, they'll find a way to move the football. And so, we just have to be on it in all areas of the game whether Patrick is there or not."
The Texans' quarterback, C.J. Stroud, threw a combined three touchdown passes and no interceptions over the past two games, but his yardage total in that span (373 combined) wasn't massive. And Joe Mixon was held to 23 yards on 12 carries against the Dolphins after topping 100 yards in six of the previous eight weeks.
Houston had six players absent from practice on Tuesday: defensive tackle Foley Fatukasi (ankle), wide receiver John Metchie III (shoulder), linebacker Del'Shawn Phillips (foot), center Juice Scruggs (foot), tight end Cade Stover (illness) and backup quarterback Davis Mills (illness).
Tackle D.J. Humphries (hamstring) and defensive back Chamarri Conner (concussion) missed the Chiefs' Tuesday practice. Wide receiver Marquise "Hollywood" Brown, nearing a return from an injured-reserve stint caused by a shoulder ailment, was a full practice participant.
--Field Level Media