Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) reacts after a Chiefs' touchdown during the first half of an NFL divisional playoff football game against the Houston Texans, in Kansas City, Mo., Sunday, Jan. 12, 2020. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
The Associated Press
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) - The Texans and Chiefs set a postseason record for combined points in the first half on Sunday when the Chiefs rallied from a 24-0 first-quarter deficit to take a 28-24 lead into the locker room.
The 52 points eclipsed the 49 set by the New Orleans Saints and Arizona Cardinals in the divisional round on Jan. 16, 2010. It fell just short of 56 points for any half, set by the Cardinals and Green Bay Packers in the wild-card round a week earlier.
The Texans missed a chance to make it 28-27 when Ka'imi Fairbairn missed a 51-yard field-goal attempt on the final play of the half.
The Chiefs fumbled a punt return, had their own punt blocked for a score and committed plenty more mistakes in becoming just the fourth home team in NFL history to trail 21-0 after the first quarter. But the Texans called a fake punt in the second quarter and were just as sloppy in allowing Kansas City to mount the biggest comeback in team history.
Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes threw three touchdown passes to Travis Kelce in the second quarter, and his four total TD throws matched the playoff record set by the Redskins' Doug Williams in the Super Bowl in January 1988.
Kelce became the first pass-catcher with three touchdowns receiving in a single quarter in postseason history, while the tight end became one of 16 players with three TDs total. Nobody has had four TD catches in a playoff game.
The Chiefs had the ball a mere 4 minutes, 50 seconds in the second quarter. They needed just 16 plays to score four TDs.
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Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) reacts after a touchdown by tight end Travis Kelce during the first half of an NFL divisional playoff football game against the Houston Texans, in Kansas City, Mo., Sunday, Jan. 12, 2020. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
The Associated Press
Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce (87) scores a touchdown against Houston Texans cornerback Lonnie Johnson Jr. (32) during the first half of an NFL divisional playoff football game, in Kansas City, Mo., Sunday, Jan. 12, 2020. (AP Photo/Ed Zurga)
The Associated Press
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) scrambles during the first half of an NFL divisional playoff football game against the Houston Texans, in Kansas City, Mo., Sunday, Jan. 12, 2020. (AP Photo/Ed Zurga)
The Associated Press
Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) throws a pass during the first half of an NFL divisional playoff football game against the Kansas City Chiefs, in Kansas City, Mo., Sunday, Jan. 12, 2020. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
The Associated Press
Kansas City Chiefs running back Damien Williams (26) scores a touchdown ahead of Houston Texans linebacker Jacob Martin (54) during the first half of an NFL divisional playoff football game, in Kansas City, Mo., Sunday, Jan. 12, 2020. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
The Associated Press
Houston Texans cornerback Keion Crossen (35) recovers the ball fumbled on a punt ball by Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Tyreek Hill during the first half of an NFL divisional playoff football game, in Kansas City, Mo., Sunday, Jan. 12, 2020. (AP Photo/Ed Zurga)
The Associated Press
Houston Texans safety Justin Reid (20) and cornerback Bradley Roby (21) break up a pass intended for Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Tyreek Hill (10) during the first half of an NFL divisional playoff football game, in Kansas City, Mo., Sunday, Jan. 12, 2020. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
The Associated Press
Houston Texans wide receiver Kenny Stills (12) makes a touchdown catch during the first half of an NFL divisional playoff football game against the Kansas City Chiefs, in Kansas City, Mo., Sunday, Jan. 12, 2020. (AP Photo/Ed Zurga)
The Associated Press
Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) calls a play during the first half of an NFL divisional playoff football game against the Kansas City Chiefs, in Kansas City, Mo., Sunday, Jan. 12, 2020. (AP Photo/Ed Zurga)
The Associated Press