NFL roundup: Stroud leads Texans past Browns, Chiefs defeat Dolphins

In the NFL playoffs’ opening round, the Kansas City Chiefs advanced further in their quest for a Super Bowl title defense, dominating the Miami Dolphins with a 26-7 victory at the bitterly cold Arrowhead Stadium. The game took place in frigid conditions, with a temperature of -4 Fahrenheit (-20C) at kickoff, marked as the fourth-coldest game in NFL history, exacerbated by wind chill.

Kansas City’s quarterback Patrick Mahomes threw for 262 yards and a touchdown, while kicker Harrison Butker contributed with four successful field goals. The Chiefs’ defense effectively contained Miami’s potentially explosive offense. Despite the challenging weather conditions, the hosts demonstrated resilience.

The wildcard round began with the Houston Texans, led by rookie quarterback CJ Stroud, securing a decisive 45-14 victory over the Cleveland Browns, bringing an end to veteran Joe Flacco’s comeback story.

In the freezing temperatures at Arrowhead Stadium, notable personalities were present, including pop icon Taylor Swift, who came to support her boyfriend Travis Kelce. Swift wore a Chiefs-themed down coat featuring the star tight end’s number 87. The extreme cold even led to Chiefs coach Andy Reid’s trademark mustache freezing by halftime.

Reflecting on the challenging weather, Mahomes stated, “We knew it was going to be cold, but all week we were preaching let’s come in there with that fire and just get after it and see what happens.” Mahomes connected with rookie Rashee Rice for a touchdown on the game’s opening drive.

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Travis Kelce made seven receptions for 71 yards, and Isiah Pacheco ran the ball 23 times, accumulating 82 yards and scoring a touchdown.

The severe cold appeared to impact the game, as Patrick Mahomes experienced a cracked helmet in the second half due to a hit. Adjusting to a replacement took time, with the new helmet frozen and requiring warming before Mahomes could wear it. Despite this distraction, Mahomes and the Chiefs secured a spot in the playoffs’ divisional round for the sixth consecutive season.

In contrast, the dynamic offense of the Miami Dolphins struggled to ignite, with Kansas City’s defense consistently pressuring quarterback Tua Tagovailoa. Tyreek Hill managed a 53-yard touchdown catch but was otherwise contained by his former team, resulting in the Dolphins finishing with only 264 total yards.

In the Houston matchup, rookie quarterback CJ Stroud continued his remarkable debut season, throwing three touchdowns in the first half to outshine veteran Joe Flacco. The 38-year-old Super Bowl winner, brought out of semi-retirement by the Cleveland Browns due to quarterback injuries, couldn’t match Stroud’s performance. Stroud completed 16 of 21 passes for 274 yards without interceptions, and the Browns’ defense failed to sack him.

Nico Collins received a touchdown pass from Stroud, contributing to Houston’s 10-7 lead. Stroud’s connections with Brevin Jordan for a 76-yard TD and Dalton Schultz for a 37-yard strike extended the Texans’ lead to 24-14 at halftime.

Houston’s defense played a pivotal role in the second half, intercepting Flacco twice and returning both for touchdowns. Stroud’s exceptional performance led to a victory, making him the youngest quarterback to win a playoff game at 22 years and 102 days, surpassing Michael Vick’s record set in 2002. Texans coach DeMeco Ryans praised Stroud, describing him as a “special young man” who consistently excels in critical moments.

Facing intense pressure, Flacco released a pass that was intercepted by Steven Nelson, resulting in an 82-yard touchdown return. Shortly thereafter, a Flacco pass intended for Harrison Bryant was picked off by Christian Harris, who ran it back for a 36-yard touchdown. The Texans secured their victory early in the fourth quarter with a 19-yard touchdown run by running back Devin Singletary.

Reflecting on the team’s success, Stroud emphasized the collective effort, acknowledging the crucial contributions of his teammates, including the offensive line, tight ends, running backs, receivers, and the defense. “We’ve got just to keep it going,” Stroud remarked, underscoring the importance of teamwork in their accomplishments.