NFL Playoffs: Kansas City Chiefs Vs. Houston Texans Opening Odds For AFC Divisional Round

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Written By Brett Gibbons | Last Updated
chiefs TEAM odds

Patrick Mahomes and the AFC’s top-seed Kansas City Chiefs (15-2) will face the Houston Texans (10-7) in the AFC divisional round of the NFL playoffs. The Chiefs debuted 8.5-point favorites over the Texans, and the over/under opened at 43.5 points on the DraftKings Sportsbook odds board. Despite finishing the regular season just 11th in average point margin (+3.5), Kansas City secured the top seed in the AFC and the bye. The two-time defending champions also vied for the shortest Super Bowl odds, seeking to become the first team to win three straight titles.

The Texans and Chiefs kicks off Saturday, Jan. 18, at 4:30 p.m. EST, from Arrowhead Stadium. The game will be broadcast on ABC/ESPN. Stay up to date with TheLines for picks, props, and parlays throughout the NFL playoffs.

Texans at Chiefs Opening Odds: AFC Divisional Round

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Last Updated on 01.12.2025

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Chiefs Host Texans For Spot In AFC Championship

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The AFC’s top team hasn’t reported that way on paper for the last two seasons. After the 2023-24 NFL regular season, the Chiefs ranked fifth in weighted DVOA; this season, they finished eighth. Once again, the Ravens top the DVOA charts. But for the past few years, the notion of “been there, done that” triumphed, especially on defense, as the Chiefs rolled to two straight Super Bowl championships.

Trench play set K.C. apart this season, as three starters along both lines earned the All-Pro designation. Two offensive linemen — center Creed Humphrey and guard Joe Thuney — and veteran defensive lineman Chris Jones earned first-team honors. Voters named corner Trent McDuffie to the second team. Aggressive blitzing from Steve Spagnuolo helped hold the Chiefs’ final five opponents under 20 points (not counting Week 18, when K.C. rested its starters). In games where Kansas City failed to score 30 points, it won 15 times — the most in NFL history.

The Texans stuck it to the Chargers thanks to a stretch of bizarre plays in the third quarter. Houston returned an interception for a touchdown, and nearly another, capped by a blocked PAT returned for two points. C.J. Stroud continued to underwhelm, throwing just one of his 33 attempts for a touchdown and throwing a pick. Nic Collins hauled 122 receiving yards, while Joe Mixon added 106 on the ground.

In Week 16, the Chiefs defeated the Texans 27-19 at Arrowhead Stadium. The Kansas City defense forced Stroud into two interceptions.

The winner of this game plays the winner between the Bills and Ravens.

NFL Divisional Round MATCHUPS

  • Saturday, Jan. 18, 4:30 p.m. EST: Houston Texans at Kansas City Chiefs (ESPN)
  • Saturday, Jan. 18, 8:00 p.m. EST: Commanders at Detroit Lions (FOX)
  • Sunday, Jan. 19, 3:00 p.m. EST: Rams at Eagles (CBS)
  • Sunday, Jan. 19, 6:30 p.m. EST: Baltimore Ravens at Buffalo Bills (NBC)

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Photo by Ed Zurga, Associated Press

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