Will the Chiefs force C.J. Stroud and the Texans to put the ball in the air a lot this afternoon? Will Xavier Worthy catch at least five passes? Read on for our Texans vs. Chiefs Underdog Fantasy Picks.
Texans vs. Chiefs Underdog Fantasy Picks: C.J. Stroud 34.5 Pass Attempts (Higher)
One of the things I prefer about Underdog Fantasy over same game parlays at the sportsbooks is that you can include pass attempts within your selections. I couldn’t include Stroud’s passing attempts in my Texans-Chiefs Same Game Parlay prediction because it’s not allowed. But at Underdog, I can group Stroud’s pass attempts with the other selections that I like.
Stroud is coming off a good game against the Chargers. He threw for 282 yards, which were the most he’s thrown for in a game since Week 8. His 8.5 yards per pass attempt was the highest in a game since Week 5. While he did fall short of his 33 pass attempts, it was only by a .5. And that’s with the Texans leading the entire second half.
It’s unlikely Houston is leading in the second half today at Arrowhead. Even if they are ahead, it’s unlikely that it’ll be by enough for the Texans to stop throwing. Besides, I don’t think Joe Mixon will have a big game regardless. I believe the Chiefs will stuff Mixon and Houston’s rushing attack, forcing the Texans to go pass-heavy throughout.
Texans vs. Chiefs Underdog Fantasy Picks: Travis Kelce 5.5 Receptions (Higher)
The 823 yards that Kelce posted during the NFL’s regular season was the fewest of his career. After averaging 65.6 yards per game in 2023, he averaged just 51.4 yards per game this past season. At 35, he clearly isn’t the same player he once was and has already entered the twilight of his career.
That said, it’s the playoffs. We now get playoff Travis Kelce, which is a different beast. Last postseason, Kelce caught seven passes for 71 yards against the Dolphins in the Wildcard round. He brought in five passes for 75 yards and two touchdowns against the Bills in the Divisional round. Against the Ravens in the AFC Championship, he went off, catching 11 passes for 116 yards and a touchdown. In the Super Bowl, he caught nine passes against the 49ers for 93 yards.
The Texans have been stout against tight ends this season, but this is playoff Travis Kelce.
Texans vs. Chiefs Underdog Fantasy Picks: Xavier Worthy 4.5 Receptions (Higher)
As I noted in my Texans-Chiefs SGP, Worthy has emerged as a go-to option in the Chiefs’ offense. Not just their passing game, but their offensive game plans. It’s not that he wasn’t involved early in the season. He was, but now he’s heavily involved in what Kansas City’s doing offensively week-to-week.
Worthy did not play in Week 18 against the Broncos as the Chiefs opted to rest starters ahead of the playoffs. So if we eliminate that game, Worthy has gone higher than 4.5 receptions in each of his last five games played. That includes the seven receptions he had against the Texans when these two teams faced in Week 16.
If you’d rather go with Worthy to go higher than his receiving yards or his rushing yards, I too like those plays.