KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Deshaun Watson bested Patrick Mahomes in a showdown of 2017 NFL draft first-round quarterbacks as the Houston Texans outlasted the Kansas City Chiefs 31-24 Sunday afternoon at Arrowhead Stadium.
Watson completed 30-of-42 for 280 yards and a touchdown and two interceptions. Watson also rushed 10 times for 42 yards and two touchdowns.
Mahomes was 19-of-35 for 273 yards, three touchdowns, and an interception.
The Texans run game also saw action from running back Carlos Hyde, who carried 26 times for 116 yards and a touchdown.
The Texans pass rush aided Watson in his bid to outshine Mahomes as rookie defensive end Charles Omenihu sacked Mahomes with 39 seconds to go until halftime. Mahomes fumbled the ball, and inside linebacker Benardrick McKinney recovered to give the Texans a first-and-goal from the Chiefs’ 3-yard line. Watson punched it in to give Houston a 23-17 lead at the break.
The Texans were without starting cornerback Johnathan Joseph as he injured his hamstring in Friday’s practice. In the third quarter, the club also saw starting cornerback Bradley Roby exit the game with a hamstring injury. Houston’s secondary was left with rookies Lonnie Johnson and Xavier Crawford along with veterans Keion Crossen and Phillip Gaines.
The loss of the Texans’ defensive back talent was exacerbated by the return of Chiefs receiver Tyreek Hill, who was active for the first time since Week 1 against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Hill caught five passes for 80 yards and two touchdowns.
The Texans improve to 4-2 and have the Indianapolis Colts next week on the road at Lucas Oil Stadium.
Kansas City falls to 4-2 with a road trip to play the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Summary
The two young quarterbacks from the 2017 NFL draft class did not disappoint as their squads combined for 55 points with Houston ultimately prevailing 31-24 over Kansas City.
Turning point
On a second-and-1 from the Houston 25-yard line, Watson hit TE Jordan Akins for a 23-yard gain to keep alive their scoring drive that would ultimately take the fourth quarter lead.
Unique stat
Watson now has the most multi-rushing touchdown games for a quarterback in Texans history with two.
scoring summary
Houston Texans — 3 20 0 8 — 31
Kansas City Chiefs — 17 0 7 0 — 24
First quarter
KC — Hill 46 pass from Mahomes (Butker kick), 11:53
KC — Butker 41 kick, 10:24
HTX — Fairbairn 44 kick, 5:50
KC — Williams 14 pass from Mahomes (Butker kick), 1:36
Second quarter
HTX — Johnson 11 pass from Watson (kick failed), 12:22
HTX — Hyde 2 run (Fairbairn kick), 3:10
HTX — Watson 3 run (Fairbairn kick), 0:39
Third quarter
KC — Hill 6 pass from Mahomes (Butker kicker), 6:36
Fourth quarter
HTX — Watson 1 run (Hopkins pass from Watson), 6:24
