NFL Divisional Round: Texans-Chiefs live stream, start time January 18

The game

After the AFC’s lone bye, the Kansas City Chiefs begin their postseason with a divisional game against the Houston Texans at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for Saturday at 3:30 p.m. (Arrowhead Time) on ESPN and ABC – locally on KMBC/9.

These two teams last played a little less than a month ago, when the Chiefs earned a 27-19 home victory in Week 16. Except for five and a half minutes of the second quarter -time, Kansas City led the game from start to finish to reach 14-1. Rookie receiver Xavier Worthy had one of his best games of the season, racking up 75 yards from scrimmage, including a 19 reception yards which allowed his 8-yard touchdown.

While the Chiefs only allowed one sack from quarterback Patrick Mahomes in the Week 16 game, the Texans pass rush is capable of much more. In their 32-12 Wild Card win over the Los Angeles Chargers, they sacked quarterback Justin Herbert four times while pressuring him enough to throw four interceptions.

“When you look at this defense in general,” Kansas City offensive coordinator Matt Nagy noted Wednesday, “their confidence level — how fast do they play and (are they aggressive)? You felt that in the game of the Chargers. It’s been going on for a while. They’re good football players (and) they lead the league in sacks for a reason. If we don’t respect that, it’s ‘shame on us.’ have different ways of doing different things.

Kansas City’s defense will also have to account for a new problem from Houston’s second-year quarterback CJ Stroud. In Week 16, he had 23 yards on two carries. But against the Chargers, he ran six times for 42 yards.

“We all saw what he did last week with his feet,” Chiefs defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo said. “I think when the importance of these games continues to grow, you can expect the quarterbacks to say, ‘Hey, maybe I should host them here.’ We talked at length about trying to contain this quarterback – because we saw last week what he can do when he decides to run it.

Nuts and Bolts

• Location: GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri
• Playing surface: Natural grass
• Playing time: 3:30 p.m. Arrowhead Time, Saturday, January 18, 2025
• Weather forecast: Partly cloudy and 25° with N winds 10-20 mph
• Match history: 8-5 Chiefs (regular season)
• Odds: Chiefs -8.5, by FanDuel Sports Betting
• Officials: Arbitrator Clay Martin (19 years old), referee James Carter (73), judge below Jerod Phillips (6), linesman Brian Perry (97), field judge Dave Hawkshaw (107), side judge Alonzo Ramsey (80), rear judge Greg Wilson (119), official rebroadcast Brian Matoren and proofreading assistant Bryant Thompson
• Television broadcast: with Joe Buck, Troy Aikman and Lisa Salters on ESPNKMBC (ABC/9-Kansas City), KTRK (ABC/13-Houston) and ABC affiliates nationwide.
• Online feed: Fubo.TV, ESPN+
• Chefs radio show: with Mitch Holthus, Danan Hughes and Josh Klingler on KFNZ (96.5 FM and 610 AM-Kansas City), WDAF (106.5 FM-Kansas City), Chiefs Mobile App and Chiefs Radio Network affiliates
• Chefs Spanish Radio Show: with Oscar Monterroso, Hannah Bassham and Adan Manzano on the Audacy App (“Chiefs en Español”), KSSA (105.9 FM-Garden City, Kansas) and KSSM (1470 AM-Liberal, Kansas), Chiefs Mobile App, Tico-Sports.com and NFL+
• Texas radio show: with Marc Vandermeer, André Ware and John Harris on KILT (610 AM and 100.3 FM-Houston) and Texans Radio Network affiliates
• SiriusXM streaming: Channel 225
• SB Nation Enemy Site: Red Battle Blog
• X: Arrowhead Pride
• Facebook: Please like us!

What you need to know at the stadium

• Appearance: Colors: Kansas City Police Department Honor Guard, Kansas. National anthem: Lanell Lightfoot. Overview: CH-47 Chinook of the 158th Aviation Battalion. Drum Deck winner: Dustin Colquitt. Spiritual leader: Ethan Castro, US Army Specialist.
• Open car parks: 11 a.m.
• Opening of stadium doors: 1:30 p.m.
• Parking passes: All parking passes must be purchased in advance at www.Chiefs.com; Payments will not be accepted at parking toll gates.
• Cashless Arrowhead: All concession stands and retail locations are completely cashless. In addition to traditional scan and chip reader options for credit/debit cards, all landline outlets offer contact or scan mobile payment options including Chiefs Pay, Apple Pay, Google Pay and Samsung Pay . Street vendors and stadium vendors only accept credit cards.
• Clear bags, permitted items: The NFL’s clear bag policy is in place for all events at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Fans can visit www.Chiefs.com/stadium/clearbag for important information on the clear bag policy and a complete list of permitted and prohibited items. Guests will enter the stadium via CEIA OPENGATE security screening technology. When guests approach the stadium, they must keep their items in their pockets and/or empty their bags as they pass through advanced screening devices, while following the instructions of security personnel. All fans should continue to pass through the screening gates at a normal pace, as there is no need to wait for the person in front or stop unless otherwise instructed.
• COVID 19: Masks are no longer required in indoor spaces. But according to the recommendation of the Kansas City, Missouri, health department, masks are encouraged. Fans should stay home if they are sick, have symptoms of COVID-19, or have been in close contact with anyone who has tested positive for COVID-19. If you become ill and cannot attend the game, you can resell or transfer your tickets.