The Kansas City Chiefs have been the toast of the AFC, making five Super Bowl appearances in the past six seasons. While those appearances led to three championships, the impact has been felt more in their own conference where teams take their best shot but usually come up short.
For one rival, last year’s playoff loss has a residual effect that he can’t shake as he prepares for the upcoming season. While he hopes to use it as motivation, the Chiefs may get a kick out of his comments and perhaps the bulletin board material will send that team to another playoff loss in 2025.
Texans’ Will Anderson Jr. Admits Playoff Loss To Chiefs Still Stings
Houston Texans edge rusher Will Anderson Jr. discussed his team’s playoff loss to the Chiefs one more time when meeting with reporters on Monday. While the divisional round loss took place over three months ago, he admitted that he still thinks about it and is using it for motivation this season.
“I haven’t moved on from it at all,” Anderson said via FOX 26’s Will Kunkel. “We have to have that intensity every game.”
Will Anderson on the playoff loss to the Chiefs last season:
— Will Kunkel (@WillKunkelFOX) April 21, 2025
“I haven’t moved on from it at all. We have to have that intensity EVERY game.” pic.twitter.com/EUop4DDFyw
The Texans have done their best to move on, overhauling an offensive line that allowed nine sacks in that game and bringing in veteran safety Chauncey Gardner-Johnson to help improve their intensity. But it’s understandable that Houston is still fixated on that game.
Anderson and teammate Joe Mixon were fined initially for criticizing officiating during the 23-14 playoff loss to the Chiefs but had their fines rescinded upon review. Houston head coach DeMeco Ryans also sounded off after the game, declaring “it was us versus everybody” when asked about a pair of late hit penalties on Patrick Mahomes.
Perhaps the most frustrating aspect is the Texans didn’t improve from their 2023 campaign, where they finished with the same record (10-7) and lost in the divisional round. Still, it gave Anderson some optimism heading into next year as he believes Houston is “really close” to getting over the hump.
Comments like this are common for Chiefs rivals this time of the year. While they can feel close, they usually get humbled when the calendar turns to January. Perhaps the Texans moves could give them a better chance at pulling off an upset when the Chiefs are slated to host Houston next year, but it’s a lot of talk that hasn’t led to action during Kansas City’s run of dominance.