NFL Divisional Round action got off to a flying start on a cold late afternoon in Kansas City. But the heat was mostly on the side of the Houston Texans as tempers flared in the opening moments of the high-stakes game against the Chiefs, the back-to-back defending Super Bowl champions.
Television cameras showed Texans defensive back Kris Boyd nearly pushing Houston special teams coach Frank Ross to the ground moments after the playoff game’s kickoff.
The Texans punted the ball to the Chiefs to start the game. Chiefs returner Nikko Remigio fielded the kick and quickly broke through some of the would-be Texans tacklers.
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Cornerback Kris Boyd #17 of the Houston Texans stands on the sidelines during the national anthem before an NFL football game against the Baltimore Ravens, at NRG Stadium on December 25, 2024 in Houston, Texas. (Brooke Sutton/Getty Images)
Remigio quickly reached the open field and ran toward the end zone. But Boyd eventually caught him and released the ball.
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He then ran toward the Texans sideline and celebrated the fumble by ripping off his helmet and sending it toward the bench. However, there was one notable problem: The Chiefs actually recovered the fumble.
Nikko Remigio of the Kansas City Chiefs, left, runs the kickoff past Ka’imi Fairbairn (15) of the Houston Texans during the first half of an NFL AFC Divisional Football Playoff game, the Saturday, January 18, 2025, in Kansas City, Missouri. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
Boyd pushed Ross to the sidelines.
The 28-year-old cornerback was ultimately flagged for unsportsmanlike conduct for removing his helmet.
January 18, 2025; Kansas City, Missouri, United States; Signage for a 2025 AFC divisional game between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Houston Texans is shown at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. (Denny Medley-Imagn Images)
The Texans advanced to Saturday’s divisional round game after beating the Los Angeles Chargers in the wild-card round last week.
Houston entered Saturday’s game against the Chiefs as a considerable underdog, but entered the locker room at halftime trailing 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 game between the Baltimore Ravens and Buffalo Bills.
