OVERALL
For the second consecutive game, the Texans played as well as possible. With six starters out because of injuries, including four on offense, they took the Chiefs into overtime before losing by six points.
They lost by four in the previous game at Dallas, another heavily favored team. Once again, they made just enough bad plays to lose a ninth consecutive game.
Grade: A
Quarterbacks
Davis Mills threw two touchdown passes and ran for a third, but his fumble when running in overtime cost the Texans a chance to pull off a stunning upset. Mills finished with 12-of-24 for 121 yards and a 92.5 rating. Jeff Driskel completed 2-of-4 for 8 yards and foolishly ran out of bounds instead of throwing away the ball, which accounted for the only sack. He also ran four times for 8 yards and wasn’t as effective as he had been in the previous loss at Dallas.
Grade: B
Running backs
With Dameon Pierce on injured reserve and lost for the season because of an ankle injury, three backs carried the ball, and Royce Freeman was the most effective. He came off the practice squad to carry 11 times for 51 yards, a 4.6-yard average. His longest run was 11 yards. Dare Ogunbowale had 14 yards on eight carries. Rex Burkhead added two receptions for 17 yards.
Grade: C
Wide receivers
Playing without the injured Brandin Cooks and Nico Collins for another game, Chris Moore contributed four catches for 42 yards and Amari Rodgers two for 26. The wideouts didn’t figure in the game plan. Davis Mills and Jeff Driskel combined to throw only 28 times, completing 14.
Grade: D-plus
Tight ends
The tight ends didn’t catch a lot of passes, but they got the most out of the ones they did catch. Jordan Akins had three receptions for 22 yards and a touchdown. Teagan Quitoriano caught one pass – an 8-yard touchdown. Brevin Jordan made a leaping 9-yard reception for a first down.
Grade: B
Offensive line
Line coach George Warhop made a significant change that helped the line play perhaps its best game. With rookie left guard Kenyon Green out, right tackle Tytus Howard replaced him. Charlie Heck replaced Howard.
The linemen didn’t give up a sack for a third consecutive game. The Chiefs got one when Jeff Driskel ran out of bounds. The pass protection was terrific. Considering Dameon Pierce didn’t play, the run blocking was solid.
Overall, an impressive performance by the linemen.
Grade: B-plus
Defensive line
Maliek Collins continued to excel with five tackles, including one for loss. Mario Addison forced a fumble. The line played a key role in the Chiefs rushing for 189 yards and two touchdowns. But Patrick Mahomes scrambled for 33 yards and a touchdown. Jerick McKinnon scored the winning touchdown on a 26-yard run. The linemen didn’t get enough pressure on Mahomes.
Grade: C
Linebackers
Rookie Christian Harris played his best game, leading the defense with 14 tackles, including three for loss. He made plays all over the field.
Christian Kirksey and Blake Cashman recorded sacks. Kirksey contributed 11 tackles. Jake Hansen recovered a fumble. Overall, the linebackers had problems in coverage.
Grade: B
Secondary
The defensive backs made big plays.
Desmond King II recovered a fumble that set up a touchdown. Tremon Smith forced a fumble that set up a touchdown.
Unfortunately, they were unable to pick off Patrick Mahomes. Smith was in on 11 tackles, two fewer than Jalen Pitre, who led the secondary.
Grade: B
Special teams
Ka’imi Fairbairn attempted one field goal and connected from 29 yards. Cam Johnston punted five times and put two inside the 20. He compiled a 46.8-yard gross average and a 45.2 net.
Coverage was outstanding. Desmond King II had a 13-yard punt return.
Grade: B
Coaching
Coach Lovie Smith, offensive coordinator Pep Hamilton, special teams coordinator Frank Ross and the position coaches should be commended for having their players ready to play the Chiefs and watching them execute a plan that almost had the Texans pulling off a shocking upset for a second consecutive game.
Considering the team’s talent level and the debilitating injuries, it was an amazing performance by everyone against Andy Reid, Patrick Mahomes and a team that’s a legitimate Super Bowl contender.
Grade: A
John McClain can be heard Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday on Sports Radio 610 and Monday and Thursday on Texans Radio. He writes three times a week and does three Houtopia Podcasts a week for SportsRadio610. He also can be read four times a week on GallerySports.com.