NFL divisional round action got off to a hot start on a chilly late afternoon in Kansas City. But the heat was mainly on the Houston Texans side, as anger erupted early in a high-stakes game against the reigning Super Bowl champions, the Chiefs.
The Texas defense was visible on TV cameras. Chris Boyd almost got shoved. Immediately after the opening kick of a playoff game, Houston special teams coach Frank Ross heads to the field.
The Texans kicked the ball to the Chiefs to start the game, and Chiefs returner Nikko Remigio took the kick and immediately blasted past would-be Texans tacklers.
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Houston Texans cornerback Kris Boyd stands on the sideline during the national anthem before a game against the Baltimore Ravens at NRG Stadium in Houston on December 25, 2024. (Brooke Sutton/Getty Images)
Remigio immediately jumped into the open field and sprinted toward the end zone. However, Boyd eventually caught up to him and stole the ball.
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He then ran toward the Texans' sideline, ripped off his helmet and celebrated the fumble by trotting toward the bench. However, there was one glaring problem. In fact, the Chiefs recovered the fumble.
Nikko Remigio (left) of the Kansas City Chiefs defeats Kaimi Fairbairn (15) of the Houston Texans during the first half of the AFC Divisional Playoff game on Saturday, January 18, 2025 in Kansas City, Missouri. ran the opening kickoff. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
Boyd forced Ross to the sideline.
The 28-year-old cornerback was given an unsportsmanlike conduct warning for removing his helmet.
Signs for the 2025 AFC Divisional Round game between the Kansas City Chiefs and Houston Texans at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium on January 18, 2025 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Denny Medley/Imagine Images)
The Texans defeated the Los Angeles Chargers in last week's wild-card round to advance to Saturday's divisional game.
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Houston entered Saturday's game against the Chiefs as a heavy underdog, going into the locker room at halftime trailing by just seven points. The third quarter ended with Kansas City leading 13-12.
The winner of the game at Arrowhead Stadium will await the outcome of Sunday's other AFC divisional matchup between the Baltimore Ravens and the Buffalo Bills.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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