Ranking QBs Chiefs will play in 2025: Kansas City will have extra time to prepare for one of the AFC's best

We are now at the halfway mark in ranking the quarterbacks that the Chiefs will face during the 2025 season.

Kansas City defeated this QB twice in 2024, once in the regular season and also in the playoffs. Let's take a deep dive. . .

No. 7: Houston Texans QB C.J. Stroud

Not only did K.C. win both matchups against Stroud and the Texans, but kept Stroud reined in. In their Week 16 contest, Stroud completed just 59 percent of his passes for 244 yards, two touchdowns, and two interceptions. 

When the two met again during the divisional round of the postseason, Stroud was held to 245 passing yards and zero TDs. The Chiefs also sacked him a whopping eight times on the day.

Houston selected Stroud with the second overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. He had a stellar rookie season, throwing for 4,108 yards and 23 TDs, also adding 167 rushing yards and three TDs on the ground. That earned him a Pro Bowl nod and the 2023 Offensive Rookie of the Year Award.

Unfortunately for Stroud, he regressed a bit in his sophomore season. He recorded 381 fewer passing yards and three fewer TD passes, and increased his interception total from five to 12. A porous offensive line played a role in his statistical decline as he was the third-most sacked QB in the league, hitting the ground 54 times in 2024.

Houston puzzling didn't do a lot to improve its offensive line during the 2025 offseason. However, Stroud does have some new weapons to work with, such as wide receivers Christian Kirk, Jaylin Noel, and Jayden Higgins. Combing them with Nico Collins could be explosive, but Stroud may struggle to stay upright yet again.

The Texans will travel to K.C. to face the Chiefs in Week 14 on Sunday Night Football. This will be following the Chiefs' Thanksgiving Day matchup against the Dallas Cowboys, giving them about a week and a half to prepare for Houston. Like last year, this game could have big playoff implications, and they could go on to meet in the postseason yet again.