Texans vs Chiefs: Handing out game balls to players not named Patrick Mahomes

The Kansas City Chiefs moved to 14-1 in Week 16, becoming just the seventh team since 2000 to do so, and it all happened on a Saturday game to finish off the home stretch of games in Kansas City's regular season schedule. The victory came at the hands of the Houston Texans, beating them 27-19 in a back-and-forth game that saw multiple players have some dominant performances.

If there was ever a week to give the game ball to Patrick Mahomes, this would be it. Not only did he play on a recently sprained ankle just six days after the injury occurred, but he also put up 28 completions on 41 attempts for 260 yards and 1 touchdown—not to mention his 33 rushing yards and his rushing touchdown (below).

Because Mahomes has proven himself to be a one-of-one and continued to show his enormous talent, his performance will be taken off the board as it's just too easy to give it to him after a game like that.

Game Ball #1: Xavier Worthy

The other "obvious" answer is still well-deserving of a game ball (his second of the season) and it's because he has slowly but surely become one of Mahomes' favorite targets. On Saturday, he once again put up WR1 numbers.

Sure, Xavier Worthy has made some mistakes this season with his footing by the sidelines and some boneheaded moves, but the rookie showed up for his final regular season game of in front of a home crowd.

The rookie had 7 receptions for a team-high 65 yards and added 3 carries for 10 yards and the Chiefs' only receiving touchdown of the game (below), which marked back-to-back games with a score for the first time in his young career.

This looks to be just the tip of the iceberg for Worthywhich is exactly what Chiefs Kingdom was hoping for when general manager Brett Veach moved up in the draft to snatch him this past April. Not only is he starting to connect more and become a reliable outlet for Mahomes, but he's starting to get a feel for the speed and velocity of the game right as the Chiefs barrel into the playoffs.

Also, now that Marquise "Hollywood" Brown has made his illustrious return to the field it would appear that Worthy is going to be open even more now.

Game Ball #2: Trent McDuffie

Another week, another interception for the 2024 All-Pro cornerback. This now marks two interceptions for McDuffie's career after 862 straight days without one in the NFL. Even better, it came at the perfect time in the first half and led to easy points before halftime.

With just under a minute left in the first half, it was McDuffie who laid out for the interception and allowed the Chiefs the short yardage that eventually led to a 44-yarder from Harrison Butker. That made the game 17-10 at halftime, something the Chiefs needed to continue their momentum heading into the locker room.

Add on five tackles, two being for a loss, and lockdown coverage all day long and it's easy to see that McDuffie is deserving of the game ball and deserving of being called one of the best corners in the league.

Oh by the way, the two tackles for losses came on screen passes that McDuffie sniffed out at the line and forced backward with one-on-one wins. All-in-all, a great day for the Chiefs CB1.

Game Ball #3: Drue Tranquill

Big number 23 on defense has had his moments this season where he looks like an All-Pro linebacker that can't possibly miss. Other times he's looked a little like an old man playing amongst teenagers, but today was not one of those days.

Tranquill provided constant pressure when he attacked quarterback C.J. Stroud, ending in one QB hit that very easily could have been a sack. He also led the team in tackles (seven) including five of them being solo stops.

His consistency may not always show through, but his gritty toughness and ability to diagnose a play pre-snap have shown to be vital when it matters most. That includes the second-to-last drive of the first half for Houston when Tranquill had four tackles in five plays.

Tranquill is also hitting his stride right as the playoffs approach, much like most of this Chiefs defense that can finally pressure the QB with Charles Omenihu and Chris Jones.

Honorary Mentions:

Kareem Hunt, RB - Last week was meant to be Hunt's swan song in Cleveland but he postponed it six days, running for 55 yards and a touchdown on 11 carries and catching two balls for 24 yards including a 17-yarder in the fourth quarter.

Hollywood Brown, WR - In his first regular season game as a Chief Brown caught five balls for 45 yards and was an inch away from a sixth that could have added 20-plus yards. It wasn't a major performance, but considering the comeback from injury and the timing of his return it's a very huge deal that he put up any good numbers at all.

Jaden Hicks, S - Much like McDuffie, Hicks recorded back-to-back games with interceptions with his first quarter pick (below) that led to the Chiefs' first touchdown of the game. The safety will have to continue this recent excellence on the field if the Chiefs want to win their third Super Bowl in three years, and it's looking like he just might with his vision and coverage.