Kansas City Chiefs DVOA, Stats, & NFL Rankings

Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Xavier Worthy will take on the Houston Texans in the Divisional Round this weekend. The 21-year-old came on strong in the season's final weeks, collecting 21 catches for 190 yards and two touchdowns from Weeks 15 through 17. Worthy stepped into the WR1 role and displayed why he was a first-round pick in 2024. With nearly three full weeks off to rest and prepare, the rookie will look to continue his dominant stretch against the Texans defense. Houston recorded four interceptions last week against the Los Angeles Chargers in the Wild Card round. The Chiefs were often scheming the young receiver open, and he capitalized on those opportunities. If Worthy is utilized like he was down the stretch, he should be a strong play in both DFS and playoff leagues this week.

Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce will face the Houston Texans on Saturday in the Divisional Round of the playoffs. The 35-year-old finished the season as the team's leading receiver yet again, but his performances this season were far from what we've come to expect from the eventual Hall-of-Famer. Kelce appeared to regress as an offensive weapon, causing the team to shift toward feeding Xavier Worthy. The rookie receiver became the focal point of the Chiefs passing attack in the home stretch of the regular season, but Kelce has the edge with playoff experience. Patrick Mahomes still trusts Kelce's ability to make big plays for the team and will likely be heavily targeted against the Texans. The Houston defense put on a clinic against the Los Angeles Chargers in last week's Wild Card matchup, collecting four sacks, four interceptions, and a touchdown while only allowing 12 points. The Texans struggled to defend in the red zone this season, where Mahomes will be looking for Kelce. Kelce should be considered a safe play in DFS and playoff leagues since he is one of the most prolific playoff performers in NFL history.

Kansas City Chiefs running back Kareem Hunt has been the team's leader out of the backfield despite the return of Isiah Pacheco. The veteran running back has earned more opportunities in the last three games he played alongside Pacheco. Hunt was not listed on the injury report this week, while Pacheco appeared to be nursing a rib injury. The 29-year-old running back may be the healthier of the duo, which could impact the way the backfield is split against the Houston Texans. The Texans defense held the Los Angeles Chargers to 12 points in last week's Wild Card matchup. Much of Hunt's value this season has come from finding the endzone, and those opportunities should be available to him in this contest. Hunt should be viewed as the Chiefs lead running back until the team shows otherwise, which makes him a valuable asset in DFS and playoff leagues this week.

Kansas City Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco was listed on the injury report with a rib injury but practiced fully all week and does not have an injury designation for this game. The second-year back has had nearly three weeks to recover since the last time he suited up, so he should be back to full strength come Saturday. Pacheco has been competing with Kareem Hunt for touches out of the backfield, and Hunt appeared to be winning that battle when the duo last played in Week 17 against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Pacheco handled six carries for 18 yards compared to nine carries for 20 yards and a touchdown for Hunt. It is possible that the Chiefs were limiting his touches after his return from injury, so it will be interesting to see how the split shakes out in the team's return to play against the Houston Texans. The Texans held the Los Angeles Chargers to 12 points while also collecting four sacks, four interceptions, and a touchdown. Given the uncertainty around his workload, the 25-year-old is risky to play in playoff leagues. Pacheco is a much better DFS play in case the team decides to lean on him in the run game. The Chiefs are touchdown home favorites, so whichever running back leads the backfield should have some value.

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes was listed on the injury report with an ankle injury but practiced fully all week and has no injury designation heading into this week's contest. Mahomes will benefit from two extra weeks off between games since the Chiefs clinched the top seed in the AFC. The additional rest and preparation should come in handy against the Houston Texans defense that racked up four sacks, four interceptions, and a touchdown in their Wild Card matchup. The 32-year-old should also benefit from a healthy receiving core outside of Mecole Hardman, who is listed as doubtful for this week. For those playing DFS or in playoff leagues, few quarterbacks can compete with Mahomes' career playoff stats. The Chiefs quarterback is among the surest bets to show up when the lights are the brightest. Start Mahomes with confidence anywhere you can.