Andy Reid doubles down on a decision he made in the Chiefs’ loss to the Texans, even though he knows it was wrong
Andy Reid and the Chiefs couldn’t get it done against the Texans.
The Kansas City Chiefs botched a few opportunities to beat the Houston Texans on Sunday Night Football. The theme of the 2025 season – not being able to close out one-score games – continues to rain on the parade celebrating this dynasty. Now at 6-7 on the year, the Chiefs can’t really play it safe anymore. They have to take risks, especially if they want a shot at the postseason.
Head coach Andy Reid took a few risks on SNF. One of the plays was warranted, as the Chiefs needed a score and were on the goal line at fourth and one. They had another fourth-down situation with one yard to go, too, but that one was a risk they shouldn’t have taken. Well, at least that’s the easy stance to take with hindsight being 20/20 now. With five minutes left to go in the game, the Chiefs went for it near midfield.
Andy Reid talks about the fourth-down play vs. the Texans
“We’ve been so good in that area,” Reid told reporters on Monday. “Whether it was run or pass. I felt we were in a good position. I thought we had a good play. Again, I thought it was the right thing to do then – it is terrible to say in a situation like this, because we didn’t win and we didn’t get that, but I would probably do the same thing again.
“I also know when you don’t get them, it can be a problem, especially when they’re in that field goal range area. Very aware of that. I thought the risk-reward was right for that time. It slapped me in the face, though; it didn’t go that way.”
Reid was that confident in his team and the play he called that he would still go for it again. That’s not necessarily a bad thing. I get not going for it – you can then punt the ball away, and your defense can force a punt. Then your defense has more room to work with, the offense has less, and you don’t necessarily have to force a three-and-out immediately, as the defense then had to do at midfield. Not to mention, if you do force a punt, you get good field position as compared to not good field position.
However, I like the decision to go for it even more. You have to take some risks right now, especially with the position they are in. While the offense hasn’t been great all year, those short-yardage situations have been amazing, especially with Kareem Hunt in the game. It just didn’t work this time. They didn’t execute properly, and the Texans have a really good defense. They have to keep trying those types of risks because eventually they will hit.
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