In a playoff-like atmosphere on “Sunday Night Football,” the Kansas City Chiefs lost 20-10 to the Houston Texans.

Here are three takeaways from the game.

Chris Jones put the Chiefs on his shoulders

It didn’t take long for the Kansas City defensive tackle to show he was ready to wreak havoc on a subpar Houston offensive line. To cap the Texans’ opening drive, Jones flew off the line and blew past the outside shoulder of the right guard. Quarterback C.J. Stroud tried to throw in a tightened pocket, but the hurried throw fell incomplete.

That was the first of...

As the Week 14 edition of “Sunday Night Football” got underway on GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium, the Kansas City Chiefs were searching for a victory over the Houston Texans — one that would maintain their playoff hopes. But instead, they found their fourth loss in five games — this time, a 20-10 defeat — that made their chance to make the postseason plummet as their record fell to 6-7.

First quarter

Kansas City began at its own 33 and leaned on Isiah Pacheco for back-to-back 3-yard runs before Patrick Mahomes’ third-down throw to Noah Gray fell...

The Kansas City Chiefs came into the Week 14 edition of “Sunday Night Football” against the Houston Texans on GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium with just one job: claiming a victory to maintain their playoff hopes. But instead, they recorded a 20-10 loss — their fourth in five games — that moved their record to 6-7 and substantially reduced their chance to reach the postseason.

Here’s our complete coverage

• Chiefs-Texans Rapid Reaction: 3 takeaways from demoralizing loss
• Final Score: Texans defeat Chiefs 20-10 in NFL Week 14
• Chiefs-Texans Week 14: First half discussion
• [Chiefs-Texans Week 14:...

In the Week 14 episode of “Sunday Night Football,” the (6-6) Kansas City Chiefs are hosting the (7-5) Houston Texans in a late-season matchup with serious postseason implications. No longer in complete control of their playoff destiny, the Chiefs need a win against the Texans to make the postseason a 50/50 proposition. Meanwhile, a Houston win will give the team a big step toward a playoff berth — and allow it to stay in contention for the AFC South title.

First quarter

Kansas City began at its own 33 and leaned on Isiah Pacheco for back-to-back 3-yard...

The Kansas City Chiefs have released their list of inactive players for Sunday’s game against the Houston Texans.

As expected, neither right guard Trey Smith nor right tackle Jawaan Taylor will be available. Both staters were declared doubtful on Friday’s final injury report after missing the entire week’s practices. The Chiefs will also be without cornerback Kristian Fulton, wide receiver Jalen Royals, running back Elijah Mitchell, and kick returner Nikko Remigio.

With offensive line depth being severely tested, the Chiefs will have four tight ends active on game day for the first time this season.

Safety Christian Roland-Wallace was declared...

Before the Kansas City Chiefs’ Week 13 game against the Dallas Cowboys, all of our Arrowhead Pride panelists blew it: each one of us picked the Chiefs to win. As a group, we expected a 29-21 Kansas City win. That prediction carried 22 points of error* from the Chiefs’ 31-28 loss. Our readers were a bit less enthusiastic about Kansas City’s chances. Just over one in five thought Dallas would win its Thanksgiving Day matchup — and most of those correctly believed it would be a close game.

*In Week 14, the Chiefs face the Houston Texans on GEHA Field...

On Sunday Night, the Kansas City Chiefs face the Houston Texans We welcome Scott Barzilla of Battle Red Blog — our sister SBNation site covering the Texans — for Five Questions with the Enemy*.*

1. With both the Texans and Chiefs in must-win situations, what will Houston need to do to leave Kansas City with a victory?

The key point of demarcation is 20 points. The Texans have held all but three of their opponents under 20 points, so if they can get to 21 points on offense they have a pretty good chance of winning the game....

The Game

In Week 14, the (6-6) Kansas City Chiefs will host the (7-5) Houston Texans on GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri, in a crucial battle among playoff hopefuls. The Chiefs’ latest primetime game will be on “Sunday Night Football,” kicking off at 7:20 p.m. Arrowhead Time.

After losing 31-28 to the Dallas Cowboys on Thanksgiving Day, the Chiefs have little margin for error in the remaining five games. The Texans are vying for a playoff spot (and the AFC South) title after defeating the Indianapolis Colts 20-16 last week.

It will be a bitterly...

The Kansas City Chiefs are 6-6 after Thanksgiving’s 31-28 loss to the Dallas Cowboys, which has put the team close to elimination from the postseason. Now the team has had a mini-bye to prepare for hosting the Houston Texans in this week’s episode of “Sunday Night Football.”

Here’s what I’ll be wondering as the Week 14 matchup gets underway.

1. With offensive line injuries, how will the Chiefs protect Patrick Mahomes?

The Houston defense features defensive end Will Anderson — who is playing like a Defensive Player of the Year candidate — and defensive end Danielle Hunter, who continues...

As the Kansas City Chiefs prepare for their Week 14 matchup with the Houston Texans, offensive coordinator Matt Nagy carries a clear sense of urgency — and a firm understanding that his unit hasn’t played to its standard.

Much of the struggle begins up front. Kansas City has allowed 10 sacks in the three games since its bye, with injuries forcing constant shuffling along the offensive line. Nagy described each week as a collaborative effort among himself, head coach Andy Reid and offensive line coach Andy Heck to assemble the best available group.

“There’s a little bit of a process...

In our “Let’s Argue” series, our Mark Gunnels considers the hot takes, wacky predictions and unpopular opinions of Kansas City Chiefs fans from all over the world.

The best thing would be for the Chiefs to finish 8-9

I’ve been seeing a ton of this chatter like this in Chiefs Kingdom — and it truly bothers me.

Look… at 6-6, I understand things look bleak for Kansas City.

On Sunday night, the team may trot out three backup offensive linemen against the Houston Texans’ ferocious defensive front. Meanwhile, the Chiefs’ defense can’t get off the field on third...

In the NFL’s Week 14, the (6-6) Kansas City Chiefs will host the (7-5) Houston Texans on “Sunday Night Football,” with kickoff scheduled for 7:20 PM Arrowhead Time.

The Chiefs desperately need a victory to remain in playoff contention. The Texans — starting with quarterback C.J. Stroud — are not going to make it easy for them.

“[He’s a] pocket passer — standing in the pocket tall,” noted defensive tackle Chris Jones on Thursday. “[He] will take a hit [and] can deliver every throw. So it’s a challenge for us — but we’re looking forward to it.”

Stroud can also...