Chiefs vs. Texans Preview and Free Picks

A clash of playoff-bound franchises in Week 16 of the NFL: the reigning champions, Kansas City Chiefs, host a Houston Texans team that has yet to impress.

The Chiefs continue to show they are determined to defend their crown for the second time, securing an easy victory over the Cleveland Browns, 21-7.

Meanwhile, the Texans secured an early postseason berth with a 20-12 win over the Miami Dolphins.

Why bet on the Kansas City Chiefs?

It seems the Kansas City Chiefs never get tired of winning. With two consecutive Super Bowl titles, they boast an impressive 13-1 record this season, their only loss being against the Buffalo Bills (30-21).

This past weekend, they secured a 21-7 road victory over the Cleveland Browns, marking their fourth consecutive win. Another victory and a Buffalo Bills loss could secure the top spot in the AFC and a direct berth to the divisional round.

However, these Chiefs aren’t as dominant as before, with their offense lacking the explosiveness of previous years. Patrick Mahomes completed only 50% of his passes this weekend (19 of 38), an unusual stat for him. He currently ranks ninth in touchdowns (22), far behind Joe Burrow’s 36.

Speaking of Mahomes, he suffered an ankle knock during the weekend game. The severity of the injury remains unclear, raising questions about whether there’s reason to worry. The quarterback has shown significant improvement in the second half of the regular season, and fans hope the injury isn’t serious so he can maintain his upward trajectory heading into the postseason.

Why bet on the Houston Texans?

The Houston Texans secured their postseason spot by clinching the AFC South despite a 9-5 record. The poor performance of their division rivals—the Indianapolis Colts (6-8), Jacksonville Jaguars (3-11), and Tennessee Titans (3-11)—allowed them to claim the division title without much difficulty.

However, the Texans’ level of play hasn’t been convincing, and they are not viewed as a team likely to make a significant impact in the next stage. They are coming off a 20-12 victory against the Miami Dolphins, marking their second consecutive win.

C.J. Stroud completed 18 of 26 pass attempts for 131 yards and two touchdown passes, both caught by Nico Collins.

One of the standout aspects of this team (if not the best) is their interception tally. They have 19 in total, just one fewer than the Minnesota Vikings, who lead the league in this category. Derek Stingley Jr. and Calen Bullock lead the Texans with five interceptions each. In their last game against the Dolphins, they intercepted Tua Tagovailoa three times.

The Texans have two consecutive road victories this season and hold a 4-3 record in away games.

Final Betting Analysis: Kansas City Chiefs vs. Houston Texans

The last time these two teams faced each other was on December 18, 2022, when the Chiefs secured a 24-30 overtime victory on the road. Similarly, the last time they played in Kansas City, Andy Reid’s team also emerged victorious, winning 34-20 on September 10, 2020.

The Chiefs are on a three-game winning streak, while the Texans haven’t beaten them since October 13, 2019, when they won 24-31.

The odds at Gambyl Exchange favor the Kansas City Chiefs, with a Moneyline of 1.65, while the Houston Texans are listed at 2.40.

Even though it is still uncertain whether Patrick Mahomes will play this Sunday, the Kansas City Chiefs’ strength has proven to be their defense. Regardless of who takes the quarterback position, the home team is expected to win. We’ll also go for the UNDER.

Go for a win for the Chiefs. If you bet $100 at 1.65, you will gain $65 for a total payout of $165.

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Kansas City Chiefs vs. Houston Texans Betting Pick: Chiefs