The Houston Texans got off to a disastrous start in their divisional round playoff game against the Kansas City Chiefs, largely due to the baffling actions of defensive back Kris Boyd. On the very first play of the game, Boyd made two costly errors that put his team in an early hole.
Unsportsmanlike Penalty After Fumble Recovery
It started on the opening kickoff, returned 63 yards by Chiefs running back Samaje Perine. Boyd made an excellent hustle play to chase Perine down from behind and punch the ball out for a fumble. The Texans appeared to catch a break when a teammate recovered.
However, Boyd’s over-exuberant celebration quickly negated the positive play. He ripped off his helmet and sprinted down the sideline in celebration before the fumble was even recovered. The premature celebration drew an obvious unsportsmanlike conduct penalty.
Boyd made an excellent play to force the fumble, but squandered it with an absolutely inexcusable penalty before the play was even over. Just a total lack of situational awareness.
– CBS commentator Tony Romo
The 15-yard penalty meant the Chiefs started their drive already in the red zone at the Texans’ 13-yard line instead of near midfield. A massive swing.
Boyd Shoves Coach on Sideline
Things went from bad to worse when Boyd returned to the sideline. Special teams coordinator Frank Ross attempted to speak to Boyd, presumably to chastise him for the costly mistake. Boyd was clearly not in the mood.
In a shocking scene, the third-year defensive back shoved his coach away forcefully and walked off. It was an extremely rare physical confrontation between a player and coach and a terrible look for Boyd and the Texans organization.
Completely unacceptable behavior from Kris Boyd. I don’t care how upset he is with himself, you absolutely cannot put your hands on a coach like that, ever. He’s fortunate he wasn’t ejected immediately.
– NBC analyst Rodney Harrison
Chiefs Capitalize for Early Lead
Adding insult to injury for Houston, the Chiefs took full advantage of Boyd’s blunder. Patrick Mahomes and the potent KC offense needed just three plays to find the end zone.
After the teams traded field goals, the Chiefs held an early 10-3 lead, energized by Houston’s special teams collapse. Boyd did remain in the game on defense and special teams, a questionable decision by Texans coach Lovie Smith.
The game was just underway, but Kris Boyd had already made his mark with two unforced errors and a physical altercation with a coach. His lapses put the Texans behind the eight-ball right out of the gate against the heavily favored Chiefs.
- Most special teams penalties, 2025 season
- Boyd: Second unsportsmanlike foul of the year
While Boyd has been a solid contributor for Houston, primarily on special teams, he was trending in the wrong direction coming into the playoffs. He’ll now have a long offseason to think about his massive mental mistakes on the big stage and how he can better harness his emotions going forward.
Kris Boyd with easily the most unbelievably stupid sequence I’ve ever seen to start a playoff game. Forced fumble, then penalty FOR TAKING OFF HIS HELMET BEFORE THE PLAY ENDED, then shoved his own coach on the sideline. Absolutely incredible.
— NFL Insider Will Martin (@WillMartinNFL) January 19, 2025
The Texans will need to regroup quickly after the disastrous start. Boyd’s mistakes put them in an early hole, and also called into question the team’s poise and discipline. Houston has prided itself on being a smart, fundamentally sound squad, but Boyd’s meltdown violated those principles in a major way.
Now facing the potent Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium, the Texans have little margin for error left after kicking off their playoff run in the worst way imaginable, courtesy of Kris Boyd. Keep it locked here for more updates from this AFC Divisional Round clash.
