Sports
Texans Blame Referees, Self-Inflicted Mistakes in Playoff Loss to Chiefs
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Houston Texans defensive end Jonathan Greenard expressed frustration after Saturday’s 20-12 playoff loss to the Kansas City Chiefs, claiming the referees were against his team. The Texans’ defense was flagged for two controversial penalties involving Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes, which extended Kansas City drives and led to 10 crucial points.
“We knew it was going to be us versus the refs going into this game,” Greenard said postgame. The first penalty occurred during the Chiefs’ second drive when Greenard was flagged for roughing the passer after hitting Mahomes in the upper neck area following an incomplete pass. The drive ended with a field goal, putting Kansas City up 6-3.
In the third quarter, Mahomes scrambled and slid, drawing an unnecessary roughness penalty when Texans defensive tackle Foley Fatukasi and linebacker Henry To’oTo’o collided with him. The Chiefs capitalized on the extra yards, scoring a touchdown to extend their lead to 20-12.
Fatukasi told ESPN he didn’t remember the play, while To’oTo’o simply said, “It is what it is.” Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans acknowledged the controversial calls but emphasized that self-inflicted mistakes were the primary reason for the loss. “We knew going into this game, man, it was us versus everybody,” Ryans said. “We can’t make the mistakes that we made.”
The Texans’ special teams struggled throughout the game. On the opening kickoff, Houston gave up a 63-yard return to Chiefs wideout Mecole Hardman, who fumbled but was recovered by Kansas City running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire. A subsequent unsportsmanlike penalty on Texans defensive back Derek Stingley Jr. gave the Chiefs excellent field position, leading to another field goal.
Houston’s kicker Ka'imi Fairbairn missed an extra point and a field goal attempt, further compounding their struggles. Quarterback C.J. Stroud faced relentless pressure, being sacked eight times and pressured on a career-high 23 dropbacks. His pressure rate of 56% was the second-highest in an NFL playoff game since ESPN began tracking the stat in 2009.
“In the playoffs, you have to win your one-on-ones,” Ryans said. “You have to have some pride in who you’re blocking to give the quarterback a chance.” Despite the pressure, Stroud rushed for 42 yards and converted several third downs, but the Texans couldn’t overcome their mistakes.
The Texans became the first team in playoff history to outgain their opponent by 100-plus yards (336-212), not turn the ball over, and still lose. Previous teams in such scenarios were 49-0 in the postseason, according to ESPN Research. “Can’t continue to shoot ourselves in the foot and then not overcome it and expect to win,” Stroud said.