Watch: Cheifs' opening kickoff return provides fireworks

Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Nikko Remigio (81) catches a punt against the Houston Texans during the first quarter of a 2025 AFC divisional round game at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Denny Medley-Imagn Images

Watch: Chiefs' opening kickoff return vs. Texans provides fireworks

By Eric Smithling | Last updated Jan 18, 2025 5:36 PM ET

A 63-yard punt return and fumble. An unsportsmanlike conduct penalty and sideline shoving match. The first play of the NFL’s divisional round nearly had everything.

The Texans' road game against the Chiefs got off to a wild start.

Chiefs wide receiver Nikko Remigio returned the opening kick 63 yards and fumbled the ball, but Kansas City recovered. Following the play, Texans cornerback Kris Boyd took his helmet off and threw it to the turf while on the field, drawing a penalty. Returning to the sidelined, he shoved special teams coordinator Frank Ross.

Big return to open the game. Ball is loose but Chiefs recover.

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As bad as the start was for the Texans, they got past it relatively unscathed. The defense stabilized things for the second consecutive week, forcing Kansas City’s offense into a three-and-out as it settled for a field goal.

The Texans withstood an ugly start last weekend in its 32-12 wild-card win against the Chargers. Houston fumbled on its first play from scrimmage, but the defense held Los Angeles to 12 yards on the ensuing possession as it settled for a field goal.

The offense only came to life after a deep pass completion from quarterback C.J. Stroud off a broken play late in the first half.

The past two weeks have shown that Houston can weather adversity.

Eric Smithling

Eric Smithling is a writer based in New Orleans, LA, whose byline also appears on Athlon Sports. He has been with Yardbarker since September 2022, primarily covering the NFL and college football, but also the NBA, WNBA, men’s and women’s college basketball, NHL, tennis and golf. He holds a film studies degree from the University of New Orleans

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