Wacky first half full of special teams gaffes for Texans, Chiefs
Jan 12, 2020, 3:22 PM | Updated: 3:22 pm
Houston Texans players celebrate after linebacker Barkevious Mingo (52) blocked a Kansas City Chiefs punt for a touchdown, during the first half of an NFL divisional playoff football game, in Kansas City, Mo., Sunday, Jan. 12, 2020. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
(AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
It’s just an expectation that a football game between Patrick Mahomes and Deshaun Watson will be high-scoring.
There certainly has been that in the AFC semifinals game between the Kansas City Chiefs and Houston Texans, but it isn’t because of prolific offense, even with the two quarterbacks combining for six touchdowns in the first half.
Both group’s special teams had spectacular gaffes leading to a massive lead change in the first half, which the Chiefs finished with a 28-24 lead.
It was the first time in NFL playoff history that a team trailed by 21 at the end of the first quarter and then led at halftime, according to Warren Sharp.
Here are some of the plays that made the first half of the game everything and more than NFL fans without rooting interest for the specific teams could have hoped for:
After falling behind 7-0 and then going three-and-out, the Chiefs punted. It was blocked by Barkevious Mingo, and Lonnie Johnson Jr. picked it up and scored the touchdown to take a 14-0 lead.
Wesley Woodyard is already advancing with the Titans. Lonnie Johnson Jr. is now trying everything he can to guarantees wildcat in the Super Bowl! #BBN pic.twitter.com/eajEomnDJy
— Tommy Pool (@TommyWYMT) January 12, 2020
Kansas City punted on the next possession, but then the team forced the Texas to punt to Tyreek Hill, one of the best returners in the league.
He muffed it. The Texas recovered at the six-yard line and scored two plays later.
In all, Houston took a 24-0 lead before the Chiefs finally scored. But then the Texans went for a risk-it-all play.
A fake punt with a 24-7 lead in their own territory.
Convert those four yards and get ahead 31-7. Miss and give Mahomes the ball already in field goal range.
It didn’t work. The Chiefs took over at the 33-yard line and scored 23 seconds later.
The Texans go for the fake punt and the @Chiefs defense makes a huge play! #ChiefsKingdom #NFLPlayoffs
📺: #HOUvsKC on CBS
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Watch free on mobile: https://t.co/ytW9g3rQZM pic.twitter.com/SQ4heoPvSO— NFL (@NFL) January 12, 2020
The play was particularly questionable because, with a 21-0 lead their prior possession, the Texans kicked a field goal on fourth-and-inches from the 31-yard line. Being ultra-conservative on one play and ultra-aggressive the next felt like a drastic change.
It was suddenly a 24-14 game, which is a still a lead but relatively daunting against the Chiefs. The Texans could have used a score.
Instead, the ensuing kickoff was fumbled. Kansas City recovered at the six-yard line and scored to cut the deficit to three.
The score went from 24-7 to 24-21 in the matter of two minutes.
Special teams weren’t quite done with mistakes. Kansas City took a 28-24 lead, but Houston got into field goal range with a chance to add three more points to end the half.
It sailed right.
A 28-24 game at the half sounds like an extremely fun offensive game.
Instead, it took the most unpredictable turns.
