Texans' blunder-filled night keeps Houston from AFC Championship

C.J. Stroud #7 of the Houston Texans walks off the field after being sacked against the Kansas City Chiefs during the fourth quarter in the AFC Divisional Playoff at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium on January 18, 2025 in Kansas City, Missouri.The Houston Texans often played well enough to advance to their first-ever AFC Championship on Saturday afternoon. A collection of self-inflicted wounds kept Houston from achieving franchise history in a 23-12 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs in the divisional round.

Houston's leading men impressed as major underdogs against the two-time reigning Super Bowl champions. Quarterback C.J. Stroud tallied 245 passing yards, didn't throw an interception and…