Saturday NFL games start up again this weekend! The Houston Texans make the trip to Kansas City on Saturday to play the Kansas City Chiefs for their Week 16 matchup. Both teams are now locked into the playoffs and just fighting for seeding. Kickoff at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. ET on NBC. Let’s take a look at this Texans-Chiefs preview and predictions.
Houston enters this game at 9-5 on the season. They clinched the AFC South in Week 15, punching their playoff ticket and ensuring a top-four seed in the AFC Conference playoffs. The Texans have won two games in a row and three of their last four. Joe Mixon is one to keep an eye on, he suffered a minor ankle injury Sunday but returned to the game. He did mount practice Tuesday for a veteran rest day.
Kansas City remains the number one seed in the AFC playoffs with a 13-1 record. They hold a 1.5-game lead over the Buffalo Bills for that ever-important home-field advantage. The biggest storyline for the Chiefs this week is star quarterback Patrick Mahomes. Mahomes left Sunday’s win with a high ankle sprain. He was listed as a “full participant” for the Chiefs, but it wasn’t an actual full practice. All early signs point to him playing. Hollywood Brown also appears ready to make his return on Saturday.
1) Patrick Mahomes did NOT go through a *real* full practice today
2) Yes, I still think he is playing Saturday
3) Hollywood Brown back is a nice addition
4) There’s a reason KC ML was 1 of my Early Line Locks last night 🤷🏽♂️
For proof/more👇#ChiefsKingdom #AskFFT #nflbets https://t.co/6eSBEM5Ryw pic.twitter.com/gft9fOHvGB
— Sebastian Fearon DPT, CSCS, OCS (@TheDegenDoc) December 17, 2024
Houston Texans at Kansas City Chiefs Preview and Predictions Video
Houston Texans at Kansas City Chiefs Preview and Predictions
Joe Mixon Under 60.5 Rushing Yards (-109)
I’m skeptical of Joe Mixon this week. Mixon hurt his ankle in the second quarter and returned to the game but was heavily ineffective when he did. The last time he hurt his ankle and returned to the game back in Week 2, he missed the next three games. So assuming he’s not a late scratch and does actually play Saturday. I think there’s a high chance of aggravating that injury and leaving early or just being ineffective.
On top of that, the Chiefs defense ranks #3 in the league in total rush yards allowed and second in yards allowed per carry (3.9). Houston has also already clinched their playoff berth and division. They can improve their seed, but you don’t want to hurt your stud running back who you are going to need in the playoffs. It’s a fade of Mixon this week for me.
Kansas City -2.5 (-111)
The earlier in the week you make this bet the better. As news keeps coming out about Mahomes, who I fully expect to play, the line will likely move. That being said, even if it’s Wentz, I’ll still be on the Chiefs. Wentz is a very capable backup. Come on, It’s Andy Reid and the Chiefs.
To that point, the Chiefs haven’t been good this season against the spread. They just get by and win games, Chiefs style. But when the spread is -4 or less, Kansas City is 4-0 this season. They win close ugly games, and that’s what they’ll do yet again on Saturday. Give me the Chiefs in this one.
