Kansas City then knocked a 36-yard field goal through the uprights two possessions later, knotting the game at 10 points apiece as the fourth quarter got underway. The Chiefs’ defense quickly forced a punt soon after, and facing a 3rd-and-6 at their own 42-yard line, Kansas City – if it could convert – looked to be in a position to potentially put together a go-ahead scoring drive. Mahomes’ pass was intercepted, however, and Kansas City didn’t advance the ball any closer to Houston territory (when the game was still within reach) the rest of the night.
That’s not to say that Kansas City didn’t have its chances though, and despite the pick, Houston quickly punted on its ensuing possession. The Chiefs turned the ball over on downs on each of their next two drives though, and once Houston took the lead on Ogunbowale’s touchdown run, the Texans never looked back.
It was a disappointing conclusion to a game that otherwise featured some impressive individual performances on both sides of the ball, notably along the Chiefs’ offensive line, where Esa Pole – an undrafted rookie free agent – played all but one snap at left tackle. Pole, who came in for the injured Wanya Morris, allowed just three total pressures on 42 pass-blocking snaps.
Kansas City’s defense, which held Houston to just 268 yards of offense, also played a large chunk of the game without All-Pro cornerback Trent McDuffie, thrusting rookie corner Nohl Williams into a career-high 62 snaps.