Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs are moving on the AFC championship game.

The Chiefs defeated the Houston Texans 23-14 Saturday at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium to remain undefeated at home this year.

Kansas City’s won eighth straight playoff games. The AFC championship game has become the Chiefs invitational. The Chiefs are on their way to a seventh consecutive AFC championship game.

Mahomes is 7-0 in his career in the divisional round, which is the most wins without a loss in the divisional round by any quarterback in playoff history, per NFL Research.

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Here is what we learned from the Texans vs. Chiefs playoff game:

Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce rekindle connection

The Chiefs tight end had a vintage performance in the victory.

Mahomes found his favorite target routinely over the middle of the field. Kelce caught a 13-yard touchdown pass from Mahomes that gave the Chiefs a 20-12 lead in the fourth quarter.

The Chiefs tight end produced a game-high seven catches, 117 yards and one touchdown.

Kelce had 15 straight playoff games with at least five receptions and 14 consecutive postseason games with at least 70 receiving yards, both the longest such streaks in NFL playoff history.

Mahomes completed 16-of-25 passes for 177 and one touchdown. Kelce and rookie wide receiver Xavier Worthy 12 combined for 12 receptions. Worthy was the only Chiefs wide receiver to record a reception. The Chiefs offense will need better games from receivers DeAndre Hopkins, Hollywood Brown and JuJu Smith-Schuster next week.

Mahomes now has 16 career postseason wins. He’s tied with Hall of Fame QB Joe Montana (16 wins) for the second-most wins by a starting quarterback in postseason history. Tom Brady (35 postseason wins) owns the record.

Chiefs offense begin contest rusty

The questions of whether or not the extended rest would be detrimental for the Chiefs was both answered and not in the win.

Predictably, the Chiefs offense was rusty after they rested starters in Week 18 and enjoyed a bye week in the wild card round.

Nikko Remigio’s 63-yard return on the game’s opening kickoff, plus an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty on Houston, gave the Chiefs excellent field position to start the game.

Despite the Chiefs’ first offensive snap being on Houston’s 13-yard line, the offense went three-and-out and had to settle for a 32-yard field goal.  

Kansas City’s concerning run defense

The Chiefs better shore up their run defense in a hurry.

Next week, Kansas City will either face a Baltimore Ravens team that boasts the No. 1 rushing attack in the league or a Buffalo Bills club with a top-10 rushing offense.

The Chiefs defense gave up 95 yards on the ground in the first half. Houston averaged over five yards a carry in the first half. Houston tallied 149 rushing yards in the loss. They averaged 5.1 yards per carry.

Texans RB Joe Mixon found running lanes in between the tackles and on outside runs. The Texans running back had a nice 13-yard touchdown run in the third quarter to trim Houston’s deficit 13-12.

Texans special teams played a big hand in loss

The Texans special teams unit had a terrible outing. They gave up a 63-yard kick off return to begin the game.

Kicker Ka’imi Fairbairn badly misfired on a 55-yard field goal in the second. He then missed a game-tying extra point in the third period. If that wasn’t bad enough, Fairbairn had his 35-yard field goal blocked with under two minutes to go in the game. A successful field goal would’ve made it a one-possession game.

Texans leaky offensive line

The Texans quarterback was sacked an AFC-high 52 times during the regular season. One of Houston’s priorities this offseason should be to invest in their offensive line.

Andy Reid joins rare company

Reid recorded his 300th career win (including playoffs). He joins Don Shula (347), Bill Belichick (333) and George Halas (324) as the only coaches in NFL history to reach 300 career victories.

Follow USA TODAY Sports’ Tyler Dragon on X @TheTylerDragon.

The Houston Texans’ season ended Saturday in the divisional round.

C.J. Stroud was sacked eight times in Houston’s 23-14 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. Texans running back Joe Mixon registered 88 rushing yards and one touchdown. While Texans pass rusher Will Anderson Jr. had four tackles, three tackles for loss and two sacks in the defeat.

It’s the second-straight year the Texans’ season ended in the divisional round of the playoffs.

The back-to-back AFC South champions will now enter the offseason with questions and needs on both sides of the football. What’s next for the Texans as they prepare for the 2025 season? USA TODAY Sports explores.

Houston Texans key free agents

Stefon Diggs

The Texans adjusted Diggs contract shortly after trading for the wide receiver, essentially making the pact a one-year deal. Diggs first season with the Texans got cut short after just eight games due to a knee injury.

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Diggs wasn’t the only one to suffer an injury. Houston’s wide receiver room was ravaged by injuries this season. Nico Collins missed time this year and Tank Dell suffered a gruesome knee injury in December. When the Texans are whole, they have one of the best receiving corps in the NFL.

The Texans must decide whether or not they want to run it back with Diggs.

Folorunso Fatukasi

The defensive tackle started 11 games in first year in Houston. He registered 24 tackles and four tackles for loss. He’s started 63 games in seven seasons with the Jets, Jaguars and Texans.

Derek Barnett

Texans offseason preview: 3 moves to make

Upgrade offensive line

C.J. Stroud was sacked an AFC-most 52 times this season. He was battered and bruised by Kansas City in the division round loss.

The Texans have to beef up their O-line and protect their franchise QB better. There are multiple quality interior linemen available in free agency, including Bucs guard Ben Bredeson and Colts center Ryan Kelly.

Houston could turn to the 2025 NFL draft to get a quality guard in the first round or in the second round like Alabama’s Tyler Booker or Georgia’s Tate Ratledge.

Re-sign Stefon Diggs

It would behoove the Texans to re-sign Diggs, especially because Dell could miss all of next season as he recovers from a severe knee injury.

Collins was leading the NFL in receiving yards before because placed on IR with a hamstring injury. Collins’ emergence was attributed to Diggs being on the field. Collins and Diggs are both high-volume receivers who can create good separation.

Add depth along D-line

Anderson (11 sacks) and Danielle Hunter (12) were the only pair of AFC teammates each with 11 sacks this season. The two accounted for almost half of Houston’s sacks. Where the Texans need help is in the interior. Bengals free-agent DT B.J. Hill would make an instant impact in Houston.

Texans draft needs

Here’s what Houston can

Offensive line
Defensive tackle
Wide receiver

The Texans have six picks in the 2025 NFL draft.

Round 1

Round 2

Round 3

Round 5 (From Buffalo)

Round 7

Follow USA TODAY Sports’ Tyler Dragon on X @TheTylerDragon.

The Atlanta Falcons have decided on their next defensive coordinator after making a change just one year into Raheem Morris’ reign as head coach.

Former New York Jets defensive coordinator and interim coach Jeff Ulbrich was hired by the Falcons for the role, the team announced Saturday.

Ulbrich, 47, took over the Jets’ top job after coach Robert Saleh was fired following a 2-3 start to the season. He compiled a 3-9 mark as the Jets extended their NFL-high postseason drought to 14 seasons.

Prior to stepping in for the Jets, Ulbrich had been a highly regarded defensive coordinator. His units finished in the top four in yards allowed in the last three seasons, though the Jets ranked 20th in scoring in 2024.

Ulbrich returns to Atlanta after serving as an assistant for the organization from 2015-20, including a stint as defensive coordinator when Morris was promoted to interim head coach following Dan Quinn’s firing. With Morris back at the helm after earning the full-time role last offseason, the two coaching figures are teaming back up once again.

All things Falcons: Latest Atlanta Falcons news, schedule, roster, stats, injury updates and more.

The Falcons fired defensive coordinator Jimmy Lake after an 8-9 season in which the team lost its inside track on the NFC South crown late in the year. The longstanding pass-rush issues again proved to be particularly problematic, with the defense ranking 31st in sacks with 31 on the year.

The Detroit Lions are taking on the Washington Commanders in the divisional round of the NFL playoffs. Detroit earned the top seed in the conference despite losing many notable players to injury.

Early on against the Commanders, they Lions are down another key piece, this time on defense.

Cornerback Amik Robertson – who played very well against Minnesota Vikings star wide receiver Justin Jefferson last time Detroit was in action – left the game after taking a hit to his arm from teammate Jack Campbell.

Robertson was corraling Commanders wide receiver Terry McLaurin on second-and-4 from the Washington 26-yard line. Campbell came in to finish the play and caught Robertson’s arm with his shoulder, forcing them to the ground and injuring Robertson’s arm in the process.

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Amik Robertson injury update

Robertson was down on the field before Detroit’s medical staff tended to him. He ultimately walked off the field under his own power but with help keeping his arm in place.

The Lions confirmed Robertson was questionable to return with an elbow injury. He was later downgraded to out.

Who is Amik Robertson?

Robertson was drafted in the fourth round, No. 139 overall by the Las Vegas Raiders in the 2020 NFL draft. He spent four seasons with Raiders, starting 21 games and tallying four interceptions, two sacks, two forced fumbles and 15 passes defensed for the team.

Robertson signed with Detroit during the offseason. He played in all 17 games for the Lions during the regular season, including four starts, and had eight passes defensed and a career-high three forced fumbles.

Lions CB depth chart

With Robertson out of the lineup, the team is getting thin at the cornerback position. Here’s who is on the active roster at the position for Detroit:

Terrion Arnold
Brian Branch
Kindle Vildor
Stantley Thomas-Oliver
Morice Norris

The world is preparing for a changing of the guard this weekend. However, the world didn’t know it would be thanks to the Washington Commanders’ inauguration on Saturday night in Detroit.

They did it by playing their brand of football, which Quinn stuck to no matter what happened. He went for it on fourth down four times and picked it up three times.

Washington had 10 drives on Saturday night, nine if you don’t count the kneel down before the half. They scored on six of those possessions, making life increasingly difficult for a Lions group that clearly felt the pressure.

You can’t win if you can’t score. You also can’t win if you don’t stop the other team from scoring.

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Washington forced five turnovers in the game, with Quan Martin’s pick-six looming large as a key turning point. The Lions, who rode a dominant 15-2 record into the postseason, proved they weren’t a cowardly bunch this year. At the end of the day, it’s a year that ends in failure and one that left the Lions looking like a harmless house cat.

They weren’t the feared, physical bunch. Not that it would’ve worked on Jayden Daniels anyway. The unflappable rookie dazzled once again, leading Kliff Kingsbury’s offense to 481 total yards, continuing a dream season in Washington. They are on their way to the NFC championship for the first time since 1991. For Daniels, he’s one win away from becoming the first rookie quarterback to start a Super Bowl.

The Commanders will await Sunday’s results to determine where they’ll go next week, but it’s likely the Rams or Eagles will fear them rather than the other way around.

Here’s how the action unfolded in the Motor City.

USA TODAY Sports provided live updates, highlights and more from the Lions-Commanders divisional matchup below. All times are Eastern.

Lions-Commanders final score: Jared Goff intercepted to seal it for Washington

Goff tossed his third interception of the game and that’ll do it from Detroit. Daniels can take a knee and run out the last 25 seconds, sending Washington to their first NFC championship game since 1991.

Commanders 45, Lions 31

Zane Gonzalez missed FG gives Detroit a chance

The Commanders finally decided to kick a field goal on fourth down, and it resulted in a missed kick from Gonzalez. He pulls the 44-yarder to the left and the Lions will be in desperation mode, trying to rally down 14.

Lions-Commanders score: Jake Bates FG keeps Detroit’s slim hopes alive

The Lions need all the points they can get and Bates gives them three with five minutes to go. They’ll need a miracle, but it’s not over yet. Commanders 45, Lions 31

Lions-Commanders score: Jeremy McNichols TD puts Washington up 17

That might be the dagger. The Commanders take advantage of the turnover and punch it into the end zone with 7:31 to go. Washington has a 17-point advantage, stunning the home crowd in Detroit. Commanders 45, Lions 28

Jameson Williams’ pass intercepted by Mike Sainristil on trick play

It’s officially panic time in the Motor City. Ben Johnson tried to dig into his bag of tricks and the end result was far from the treat he hoped for. Jameson Williams, the receiver, tossed an interception to Mike Sainristil. It’s the rookie’s second pick of the game and Washington takes over.

Lions-Commanders score: Brian Robinson Jr. TD gives Washington 10-point lead

What was once a fast-paced game has now grinded to a halt as the Commanders ate up the clock with an eight-minute drive. Robinson Jr. gets his second touchdown of the day to finish off the 70-yard drive to answer the Lions’ last score. With 13:29 to go, the Commanders have a 10-point advantage.

Detroit helped bail out Washington with a too many men on the field penalty, giving them a first down at the Lions’ two-yard line. Commanders 38, Lions 28

Lions-Commanders score: Jahmyr Gibbs TD caps off penalty-aided drive

Detroit takes advantage of the gifted facemask penalty and marches for the touchdown to cut the Washington lead to three. The Lions are right back in it after Gibbs’ second score of the game. With just under seven minutes left in the third, it’s up to Daniels and Washington’s offense to answer again. Commanders 31, Lions 28

Facemask penalty keeps Lions’ drive alive

Washington appeared to come up with a stop on the Detroit drive, but Dante Fowler Jr. was flagged for a facemask penalty on David Montgomery. Unfortunately for Washington, it wasn’t even close to being a penalty.

Commanders forced to punt on first drive of second half

Detroit gets the job done on defense to open the second half, forcing a Washington punt with minimal time coming off the clock. They’ll take over quickly inside their own 10 with just under 13 minutes to go in the third quarter.

Jared Goff intercepted before halftime

Goff tosses his second interception of the game, this time to Mike Sainristil. Detroit will end the first half without scoring on their final drive, heading to the locker room facing a 10-point deficit. The Commanders get the ball to start the second half, meaning this game could get away from the Lions quickly if their defense doesn’t step up.

Lions-Commanders score: Jayden Daniels finds Zach Ertz for TD

Washington extends their lead to 10 with just under two minutes left in the half as Daniels finds Ertz for the score. There are 52 combined points in this first half, meaning defense is optional on this night in Detroit. Commanders 31, Lions 21

Lions-Commanders score: Jameson Williams rushing TD gets Detroit back in it

With Goff in the medical tent being evaluated, Teddy Bridgewater came in to play quarterback. Just as Goff looked ready to come in, Jameson Williams decided to play running back, rushing for 61 yards and the score. This game is bonkers. Commanders 24, Lions 21

Lions-Commanders score: Jared Goff throws pick-six to extend Washington lead

It’s not panic time yet for the Lions, but it might be close. These Commanders aren’t afraid of anyone and now have a 10-point lead after Goff tossed a pick-six to Quan Martin, who returned it 40 yards for the score. Commanders 24, Lions 14

Terry McLaurin 40-yard time

Scary Terry is, well, scary. The receiver’s wheels were on display with his 58-yard touchdown, but they’ve been a little underappreciated over the years. McLaurin ran a 4.35 40-yard dash at the 2019 NFL combine.

Lions-Commanders score: Terry McLaurin 58-yard TD gives Washington the lead back

If you’re a fan of defense, now would be a good time to change the channel. If you’re a fan of offense, you have come to the right place. Terry McLaurin didn’t like seeing the Lions have a lead and decided to fix that. He takes a seemingly harmless screen pass and turned on the jets for a 58-yard score. Washington only needed 1:21 to grab the lead back. Commanders 17, Lions 14

Lions-Commanders score: Sam LaPorta snags one-handed TD catch

We have a shootout on our hands in Detroit. The Commanders punched, the Lions punched back as Sam LaPorta came up with a nifty one-handed diving catch in the back of the end zone to put Detroit back in front. Lions 14, Commanders 10

Zach Ertz injury update

Sam Cosmi injury update: Commanders guard rolled up on, helped off the field

Washington’s touchdown celebration was cut short after Sam Cosmi limped off the field. The guard had his leg rolled up on and was bent backward by a falling Lions’ defender. Washington isn’t flush with depth, especially along the offensive line, making this a potentially significant loss for the Commanders.

Lions-Commanders score: Brian Robinson Jr. TD gives Washington the lead

The Commanders take advantage of the Goff fumble and march down the field for a Robinson touchdown. The running back puts the exclamation point on the 78-yard drive to put Washington on top. Commanders 10, Lions 7

End of first quarter: Lions have the lead after one

A fast-paced first quarter comes to a close with the Lions up 7-3. Both teams made it an entertaining opening 15 minutes, with the up-and-down action leading to plenty of excitement. Washington doesn’t look overmatched early on, which is good news for those rooting for the underdog.

Jared Goff fumbles, Commanders recover

Somewhere in the Washington D.C. area, a doctor just ordered a Jared Goff turnover. Luckily for them, the Lions’ quarterback delivered faster than Amazon and promptly coughed up the ball on third down. Washington recovers and gets precisely what they needed after the Lions looked ready to score again.

Lions-Commanders score: Zane Gonzalez FG gets Washington on the board

Washington’s second drive, like Detroit’s, ends with some points on the board. However, the Commanders are forced to settle for three from Gonzalez, who knocks through the 47-yarder without issue. They are still moving the ball on offense, but Washington can’t keep stalling on the Lions’ side of the field. Still, they have to be pleased with their start tonight. Lions 7, Commanders 3

Lions-Commanders score: Jahmyr Gibbs TD opens the scoring for Detroit

The Lions’ quick strike ability was on full display that drive, as Gibbs caps off the 71-yard drive with a rushing score. Detroit took only 3:02 off the clock, giving themselves a touchdown advantage halfway through the opening quarter. Gibbs accounted for 48 of the 71 yards on that possession. ‘Sonic’ is showing the world why he’s deserving of the nickname. Lions 7, Commanders 0

Commanders turnover on downs ends opening drive

An eight-play, 51-yard drive comes to an end without points for Washington. The Commanders were able to move the ball with ease but found themselves stuffed on a fourth-down quarterback sneak attempt from Marcus Mariota. Detroit takes over at their own 29. Dan Quinn’s aggressiveness has been well-documented, so this probably won’t be the last attempt we see from the Washington coach.

Amik Robertson injury update

The Lions’ defensive depth has been tested by injuries this season and now they are set to lose another cornerback. Amik Robertson, who received a game ball for his outstanding Week 18 performance, was down on the turn after his arm took a big hit from fellow teammate Jack Campbell.

Robertson got up and was helped to the locker room.

Lions go three-and-out on opening drive

The opening kick from last week’s hero, Zane Gonzalez sailed out of bounds. It set the Lions up at their own 40-yard line, but that’s about as far as they’ll go this time around. A quick statement from the Washington defense as the Commanders force the three-and-out. Jayden Daniels and the offense can now go to work in a tie game.

What time is Lions vs. Commanders?

Start time: 8 p.m. ET (7 p.m. CT) Saturday

The Lions and Commanders are scheduled for kick off at 8 p.m. ET Saturday from Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan.

Lions vs. Commanders TV channel

TV channel: Fox

Fox will be the broadcast home of the Lions vs. Commanders game on Saturday night. Kevin Burkhardt and Tom Brady will be on the call, with Tom Rinaldi and Erin Andrews supplying reports from the field.

Lions vs. Commanders predictions, picks

Here’s how the USA TODAY Sports staff feels the Lions vs. Commander matchup will tilt:

Lorenzo Reyes: Lions 35, Commanders 21
Tyler Dragon: Lions 31, Commanders 25
Jordan Mendoza: Lions 34, Commanders 31

Lions vs. Commanders live stream 

Live stream: Fubo 

For cord cutters looking for a live stream for the matchup, you can turn to Fubo. Fubo carries NBC, as well as CBS, FOX, NFL Network and the ESPN family of networks, meaning you can catch NFL action through the remainder of the season. 

Don’t miss another NFL playoff game with a Fubo subscription

Lions vs. Commanders odds, moneyline, over/under 

The Lions are favorites to defeat the Commanders, according to the BetMGM NFL odds. Not interested in this game? Check out expert picks and best bets for every NFL game this week. 

Spread: Lions (-9.5) 
Moneyline: Lions (-550); Commanders (+400) 
Over/under: 55.5 

Is David Montgomery playing today?

The Lions running back is active tonight against the Commanders. He was a full participant in practice this week and was officially off of the injury report.

NFL playoff bracket 

Here’s how the NFL playoff bracket stacks up entering the divisional round: 

AFC 

No. 4  Houston Texans at No. 1 Kansas City Chiefs 
No. 3  Baltimore Ravens at No. 2 Buffalo Bills 

NFC 

No. 6  Washington Commanders at No. 1 Detroit Lions 
No. 2  Philadelphia Eagles vs. No. 4  Los Angeles Rams 

NFL playoff schedule 

Saturday, Jan. 18 

4:30 p.m. ET: No. 1 Kansas City Chiefs vs. No. 4 Houston Texans 
8 p.m. ET: No. 1 Detroit Lions vs. No. 6 Washington Commanders 

Sunday, Jan. 19 

3 p.m. ET: No. 2 Philadelphia Eagles vs. No. 4 Los Angeles Rams 
6:30 p.m. ET: No. 2 Buffalo Bills vs. No. 3 Baltimore Ravens 

When is the NFC championship game?  

The NFC championship game will kick off on Sunday, Jan. 26 at 3 p.m. ET. 

Aidan Hutchinson injury latest

The Lions initially put his recovery timeline at 4-6 months after surgery. Hutchinson underwent surgery the day after the Lions’ 47-9 win over the Cowboys. That timetable puts his earliest return date at Feb. 13, four days after Super Bowl 59 in New Orleans.

Lions coach Dan Campbell acknowledged the timeline but stated he would leave the door open for Hutchinson’s return in the Super Bowl if the team made it that far. Campbell has not ruled out Hutchinson returning for the Super Bowl and the Lions have not made any other statements regarding his availability.

Lions inactives vs. Commanders

Commanders inactives vs. Lions

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Commanders last playoff win 

The Commanders last won a playoff game in 2006 before defeating the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the wild-card round of the 2025 NFL playoffs. 

When is Super Bowl 59? 

Location: Caesars Superdome (New Orleans) 
Time: 6:30 p.m. 
TV: FOX 

Following a bye week for both Super Bowl-bound teams, Super Bowl 59 will kick off on Feb. 9.

Lions vs. Commanders best bets 

Looking to make the Lions-Commanders wild-card matchup a bit more interesting? Here are some of the best bets for the game: 

Austin Ekeler OVER 23.5 receiving yards (-110)
Jahmyr Gibbs UNDER 3.5 receptions (-150)
Terry McLaurin OVER 67.5 receiving yards (-115)

Which NFL team has the most Super Bowl wins? 

The Steelers are tied with the New England Patriots for the most Super Bowl wins with six. 

Pittsburgh and Dallas have the unique distinction of playing each other more than any other team combination in Super Bowl history with three matchups. 

NFL franchises with the most Super Bowl wins: 

New England Patriots — 6 
Pittsburgh Steelers — 6 
Dallas Cowboys — 5 
San Francisco 49ers — 5 
Green Bay Packers — 4 
Kansas City Chiefs — 4 
New York Giants — 4 

➤ Super Bowl winners: All-time scores, results for NFL title game 

Have the Lions ever won a Super Bowl? 

While the Lions have four NFL championships – pre-merger accolades – they have yet to win a Super Bowl. They also have yet to appear in a Super Bowl. 

How old is Jayden Daniels? 

Daniels, the rookie passer for the Commanders, is a little bit on the older side for a rookie: He turned 24 years old on Dec. 18, on the seasoned side for rookies. 

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CHICAGO − They jeered Chicago Cubs chairman Tom Ricketts for refusing to spend money with the big boys in Los Angeles and New York this winter.

They booed when Cubs president Jed Hoyer declined to say whether they had interest in signing free-agent third baseman Alex Bregman.

They moaned when hearing that the Cubs’ focus the remainder of the winter will be upgrading their bullpen and bench.

It’s life in Chicago at their annual Cubs convention, where thousands congregate and wildly cheer at the sight of everyone from their mascot to minor-league prospects to Sammy Sosa, with hope that they can re-create that magic of 2016 when they ended their 108-year World Series drought.

While Ricketts believes the Cubs – the only large-market team in the NL Central – should be the favorites to win the division, their fans express their disdain for having a current payroll of about $180 million. That ranks just 14th in baseball, and is dwarfed by the the Dodgers, Mets and Yankees.

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“Look, there’s other teams that have more resources than we do,’ Ricketts told USA TODAY Sports at the Cubs Convention. “I can’t change that. I tell our guys not to worry about it, and just do your best.’

Sorry, but these rabid Cubs fans don’t want to hear it. They don’t want excuses. They want to win now. And they want Ricketts to start spending.

“I don’t think fans should spend all their time thinking about which team has more money or how much they’re spending,’ Ricketts said during his radio appearance with 670 The Score at the convention. “It just becomes a big narrative that’s a distraction.’’

Well, that narrative isn’t about to go away, not when you reside in the third-largest market in America, are baseball’s fourth-richest team.

“Obviously, the Dodgers have done a really nice job of making good business decisions, making good player decisions,’’ Ricketts said, “and they built a fortress. That’s tough. But I don’t begrudge them any of that. It’s like the Yankees from 30 years ago or whatever, these things come and go.

“I think our fans somehow think we have all these dollars that the Dodgers have or the Mets have or the Yankees have, and we just keep it. It’s not true. We just try to break even every year.’’

Ricketts insists they still have money to spend, whether it’s before spring training, before they get to Japan in March, or the trade deadline in July. Their 2025 payroll budget is $220, according to a high-ranking Cubs executive, keeping them from  eclipsing the luxury tax threshold for the second consecutive year .

But, so far, they’ve been largely spectators watching the big-market teams jump into the deep end of the free-agent pool.

The Cubs’ biggest move has been trading for Houston Astros All-Star right fielder Kyle Tucker. They signed him to a $16.5 million contract instead of going to arbitration. Still, the price of landing Tucker was parting company with All-Star outfielder Cody Bellinger and his $27.5 million salary, trading him to the Yankees.

“I think Cody is a great player…,’’ Hoyer said, “it just felt like we could kind of re-deploy those resources in a more efficient way to help the team in other ways. So that was really the gist of it. Once we acquired Tucker, it felt like that was the right move.’’

But you didn’t see the Mets dump players to sign Juan Soto to a record 15-year, $765 million contract. The Dodgers didn’t try to clear payroll when they shelled out $182.5 million for free-agent ace Blake Snell, $66 million for Teoscar Hernandez, before landing 23-year-old Japanese sensation Rōki Sasaki.

The Cubs certainly have the financial clout to dominate the National League Central, where they’re worth between $4.2 billion-$5.3 billion, the fourth-most valuable franchise in baseball. Yet, they’ve spent just $48.3 million in free agents this winter, which is less than Soto will make alone this season.

Still, living in the NL Central is one of the greatest luxuries in all of sports. The Cubs’ expenditures this winter are still nearly twice as more as the rest of the division combined.  The Milwaukee Brewers, who have dominated the division by reaching the postseason six of the last seven years with four division titles, lost All-Star shortstop Willy Adames in free agency, traded All-Star closer Devin Williams and haven’t dipped into free agency. The Cardinals, the only other team to win the NL Central since 2012, are in the middle of a rebuild and haven’t spent a penny either.

“We should be the favorites (in the NL Central),’’ Ricketts said. ‘We’ve got to get back on the winning track.’’

Yes, they should, but would be anyone be surprised to see the Brewers win the division again? Or surprised that Terry Francona turns the clock back with the Cincinnati Reds? The Cubs should have the financial power to dominate the division year after year, just like the Dodgers are doing now in the NL West.

“Everybody’s goal is to win the World Series,’’ Ricketts said, “but the way you’re going to win the World Series is to make the playoffs as often as possible. If you keep making it to the playoffs, you should have a shot.’’

The last time they Cubs made the playoffs in a full season was in 2018, the final year of their four-year postseason run. It’s not as if the Dodgers and Mets are going to be responsible for keeping them out of the playoffs, not playing in the soft NL Central.

“We’ve got two teams in the National League, obviously from a financial standpoint, are able to do things other teams can’t do,’’ Hoyer said. “I guess that’s the best way to say it. I think that kind of raises the stakes for everyone to a certain extent.

“Listen on the Dodgers, people focus on the size of their payroll and the deferments, and stuff like that, but it’s just a great organization that’s kind of running on all the cylinders. They do well in the draft. They do well internationally. They make smart trades. They do a good job finding value on the margins. And they also can go sign major free agents.

“So, I just think that focusing on the amount of money they spend does a disservice to an organization that’s running at a really high level.’’

Even if the Dodgers continue to out-smart everyone, it would certainly make life easier in Chicago if they at least began writing out nine-figure checks, too. The Cubs never tried to get into the market for Soto. They passed on ace Corbin Burnes, who wound up getting $210 million from the Arizona Diamondbacks. They are not in the market for first baseman Pete Alonso, and unless Bregman’s price-tag dramatically drops, they’re out on him, too.

The Cubs were hoping to make their biggest splash by signing Japanese sensation Sasaki, spending hundreds of hours preparing and recruiting him as one of eight finalists Sasaki considered, only to be left standing when he signed Friday with the Dodgers.

It was the Dodgers’ third signing of a Japanese star in the last 13 months, and after spending $1.025 billion on Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto, this one cost the bargain-basement price of only $6.5 million in their international spending fund.

“They have such a high profile in Japan,’’ Ricketts said. “When a player is going to make a decision based on equal economics, it’s going to be tough to compete for a Japanese player against the Dodgers for a long time.’’

Yet, to the Cubs’ credit, instead of bemoaning their fate, or joining the whisper campaign that there was a private deal arranged a year ago, the Cubs believe the process was perfectly legal.

It was just the outcome that was bitterly painful.

“It was a fair process,’’ Cubs GM Carter Hawkins said. “We had a clean shot to say what we wanted to say to Rōki and his representation. He heard everything that we wanted to say. It stinks not to get him, and it stinks for the 29 teams that didn’t get him.

“Kicking and screaming is not going to do us any good. We just got to figure out where we go next.’’

And, somehow, some way, find a way to keep up with the Dodgers and Mets without dipping heavily into that checking account.

“I think for us to complain about it,’’ Hawkins said, “would be silly. I feel pretty good about our ability to compete within those markets. If someone is going to offer more money, then they’re going to offer more money. It’s just something we can’t focus on.’’

Instead, that anxiety will rest with their passionate fanbase, wanting to believe this is the year the Cubs’ postseason drought ends, but if not, guess who’s going to be hearing about it loud and clear at next year’s Cubs convention?

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The Kansas City Chiefs started their divisional round playoff matchup against the visiting Houston Texans on offense. They got great field position thanks to a 63-yard kickoff return by Nikko Remigio, who made it deep into Houston territory before being tackled by Texans cornerback Kris Boyd.

Boyd was flagged on the play for throwing his helmet after tackling Remigio and forcing a fumble. The Chiefs recovered the fumble and that penalty drew them in closer to the red zone and ultimately set up a 32-yard field goal by Harrison Butker.

After getting flagged on the play, Boyd headed to the sidelines and shoved Texans special teams coordinator Frank Ross.

Boyd was later seen back on the field for the Texans’ kickoff following a game-tying field goal by Ka’imi Fairbairn.

Kris Boyd explains coach shove

After the game, Boyd said it was a pure moment of passion that led to the helmet throw and subsequent push of special teams coach Frank Ross.

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‘I was turnt [sic], I was turnt,’ Boyd said after the game. ‘First play, kick off, they thought they had a big play, and I got the ball out. And as I’m getting up, I look at the screen, I see nothing but white and they’re all pointing that way.

‘So I was like, ‘We got the ball, too. Turnover.’ I was just turnt. You’ll see, I ran up to everybody, getting ready to shake their hand. But then someone grabbed me and was like, ‘Hey, nah, that’s not good. You got a flag and it’s their ball.”

As far as the coach shove goes, it was just a hype moment, Boyd says. The coach and Boyd were seen embracing, and Boyd shed some light on the conversation, saying Ross was just trying to calm him down and remind him there was a game to play.

‘I love everybody here, I love my coaches, I would never disrespect nobody,’ Boyd said, before continuing. ‘I love Frank. I’m a God-fearing man. I respect everybody in that building.’

Who is Kris Boyd?

Boyd was drafted in the seventh round, No. 217 overall by the Minnesota Vikings in the 2019 NFL draft. He played for four years with the Vikings before signing with the Arizona Cardinals at the start of the 2023 season and moving to Houston mid-season.

He’s primarily played on special teams in his six-year, 81-game career. In that span, Boyd has 105 tackles, three passes defensed, two forced fumbles and five fumble recoveries.

The Kansas City Chiefs’ road to a historic Super Bowl three-peat has led to a familiar postseason stop.

The top-seeded Chiefs handled the Houston Texans 23-14 on Saturday in a divisional-round playoff game, sending the team to its seventh consecutive AFC championship game. Kansas City will host the winner of Sunday’s game between the Baltimore Ravens and Buffalo Bills.

Travis Kelce powered the two-time defending champions with seven catches for 117 yards and a touchdown. His ninth career postseason game of at least 100 yards set an NFL record, as the tight end broke a tie with Hall of Famer Jerry Rice for the most all time.

‘You know 8-7 was gonna show up whenever it’s a big-time moment, and he did that,’ quarterback Patrick Mahomes said in a postgame interview. ‘Everybody was asking ‘where’s Travis Kelce at?’ I think he showed the world where he’s at.’

With Kelce and a bulk of the Chiefs’ stars and starters having sat the Week 18 contest against the Denver Broncos after already having wrapped up home-field advantage, many Kansas City players were in action for the first time in 24 days. Despite displaying some early rust, the champs once again shook off the team they beat just four weeks earlier.

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The Chiefs entered the fourth quarter with just a 13-12 advantage after Texans running back Joe Mixon capped a 15-play, 82-yard drive with a 13-yard scoring scamper (Houston kicker Ka’imi Fairbairn missed the extra point that would have tied the game). But Kansas City responded with its own long march, with Mahomes managing to find Kelce for a 13-yard touchdown connection as the quarterback fell to the ground to punctuate a 13-play, 81-yard drive.

Kelce provided a spark in the second quarter when he ripped off a 49-yard catch-and run for the 35-year-old’s longest gain of the season. Three plays later, Kareem Hunt dashed into the end zone for a 1-yard touchdown.

Despite outgaining the Chiefs and controlling the ball in the first three quarters with a hard-charging rushing attack, the Texans struggled with self-inflicted mistakes. Fairbairn missed a field goal and what would have been a game-tying extra point, and another attempt was blocked. The team had eight penalties for 82 yards. Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud, meanwhile, was sacked eight times.

This story has been updated with new information.

It’s hard enough to beat Patrick Mahomes under normal circumstances. It might as well be impossible when he’s getting a friendly whistle.

The Chiefs have been often criticized for getting the benefit of the doubt from NFL referees. That noise only grew on Saturday in the divisional round against the Texans.

Houston has been on the wrong side of the flag all afternoon, as referee Clay Martin’s crew called eight accepted penalties on the Texans and just three on the Chiefs as of early in the fourth quarter.

Troy Aikman hasn’t held back in going after Martin’s calls, sounding off following an unnecessary roughness penalty on Henry To’oTo’o for a hit on Mahomes late in the third quarter.

‘Oh come on,’ Aikman said. ‘I mean, he’s a runner. I could not disagree with that one more. He barely gets hit.’

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Russell Yurk, the rules analyst on the ESPN broadcast, agreed with Aikman’s assessment of the play.

‘The two Houston players hit each other,’ Yurk said. ‘That should not have been a foul.’

Aikman, clearly irritated at the call, said the league needs to address that in the offseason. It wasn’t the first time the former player and longtime NFL officiating executive agreed on Saturday.

In the first quarter, Kansas City benefited from a 15-yard penalty for roughing the passer on the Texans’ Will Anderson Jr.

The hit didn’t appear to warrant a flag as there was no contact to the head area of Mahomes.

‘It looked like that first contract was to the upper chest area,’ Yurk said. ‘I didn’t see anything there that supported a foul.’

‘I agree with you, Russell,’ Aikman added. ‘From that angle there, I don’t see helmet-to-helmet. That’s a big-time penalty.’

The Chiefs would settle for a field goal on that drive, giving them a 6-3 advantage in the first quarter. Although the later penalty on To’oTo’o occurred on first down, Kansas City still ended that drive with a touchdown.

Houston has been plagued all game by special teams woes, making an already slim margin for error seemingly nonexistent.

Without the whistle working in their favor, that mountain to climb only became steeper.

The Kansas City Chiefs and Houston Texans are locked into a close game in the opening matchup of the NFL divisional round playoffs. The host Chiefs are back in action after a first-round bye to open the playoffs.

Chiefs fan Taylor Swift is in attendance for Saturday’s game with her parents, Scott and Andrea Swift. She took her spot in the one of the suites where she usually watches Chiefs games and was joined by a surprise guest: Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark.

Eagle-eyed viewers may have seen photos of the Fever star in Swift’s suite early on in the game.

During the third quarter, the broadcast cut to Swift and Clark sitting next to each other and taking in the action.

Clark is a fan of both the Chiefs and Swift. She met with Swift during the pop star’s stops in Indianapolis back in November.

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Since she started dating Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce during the 2023 NFL season, Swift has frequently attended Chiefs games, especially in the playoffs. She shared a suite with actress Blake Lively during Super Bowl 58 and has become part of nationally-televised Chiefs games.

Is Caitlin Clark a Chiefs fan?

Yes. The Fever guard and Des Moines, Iowa native said on an episode of the ‘New Heights’ podcast with Travis and Jason Kelce that she’s been a lifelong Chiefs fan.

‘I had family in Kansas City, and I grew up in Des Moines, Iowa, which is only three hours from Kansas City,’ Clark said on the show. ‘That’s just the closest NFL team.’

The fandom in her family included admiration for another legendary Kansas City tight end.

‘My brother loved Tony Gonzalez,’ she said. ‘We would, like, go to one game a year growing up because my cousin was down in Kansas City.’