If there is one thing Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes knows about quarterback Deshaun Watson is that the Houston Texans are never out of it when he’s under center.
After taking a 31-24 loss to the Texans in Week 6, Mahomes will lead the Chiefs in a home rematch against Houston in the AFC divisional playoffs Sunday at 2:05 p.m.
“If you’ve watched Deshaun Watson since college and I’m sure even since high school, they’re never out of a game,” Mahomes told reporters Wednesday. “He’s someone that can make big plays happen no matter what the scenario is. He’s going to fight until the end.”
The Texans fell down 16-0 to the Buffalo Bills in the AFC wild-card on Jan. 4 at NRG Stadium. Watson led the Texans on a 19-0 run and eventually helped Houston to a 22-19 overtime victory to deliver the franchise their fourth playoff win in club history.
Because of how difficult it is to force Watson and the Texans to quit, Mahomes is bracing for a game-long battle with the champions of the AFC South.
“You know that going into the game and you know that coming in as an offense and as a defense and as a team that you have to make sure you’re on top of it all game long,” said Mahomes. “It’s going to be a 60-minute fight or even longer, whatever it takes. You have to make sure you come in with that mentality that you’re going to play your best football every single snap.”
For Houston, the incentive is to play in the franchise’s first AFC Championship Game in club history. With making the NFL’s final four on the line, Watson will help the Texans find a way to get a win at Arrowhead Stadium again.