Kansas
Houston Texans vs Kansas City Chiefs picks, predictions, odds: Who wins NFL playoff game?
Ravens, Bills put on A+ performance, Commanders stun Bucs
USA TODAY Sports’ Mackenzie Salmon breaks down all the games from Wild Card Weekend.
Sports Seriously
The Houston Texans and Kansas City Chiefs play on Saturday, Jan. 18, at the Chiefs’ Arrowhead Stadium in a game on the NFL playoff schedule for the divisional round.
Which team will win the second-round NFL postseason game?
Check out these NFL playoff picks and NFL playoffs prediction for the game, which can be seen at 2:30 p.m. MST on ABC and ESPN (stream with FUBO).
The Chiefs are an 8-point favorite over the Texans in NFL playoff odds for the game, courtesy of BetMGM Sportsbook.
Kansas City is -400 on the moneyline, while Houston is +310.
The over/under (point total) is set at 42 points.
Watch Texans at Chiefs live on FUBO (free trial)
Jeremy Cluff writes: “We did not see the Texans beating the Chargers in our predictions last week. We were wrong. Were we ever. Houston dominated Los Angeles, 32-12 in the wild-card round. With that being said, we don’t see the Texans beating the Chiefs this week, either. Will we be wrong again? Kansas City is a big favorite after having the bye week to rest and prepare for Houston. The Chiefs beat the Texans in Kansas City in Week 16, 27-19. We expect a similar result in the divisional round. Patrick Mahomes won’t struggle against the Texans’ defense like Justin Herbert did.”
When do NFL playoff teams play next? Houston Texans | Kansas City Chiefs | Washington Commanders | Detroit Lions | Philadelphia Eagles | Baltimore Ravens | Buffalo Bills
Bookies.com: Bet the Texans with the points vs Chiefs
Bill Speros writes: “The Chiefs went 15-2 without scoring more than 31 points in a game this season. The Chiefs and Texans met less than a month ago in Kansas City. The Chiefs won 27-19 on their way to icing the No. 1 seed in the AFC and what was in all reality a two-week bye. Patrick Mahomes threw for 260 yards, a TD, and ran for another in KC’s win over Houston. He scored on a 15-yard scamper that ended KC’s opening drive. Andy Reid called that win his team’s “most comprehensive win” of the season. They’ll have to repeat it this weekend. The Texans were at 100% in their upset over the hapless Chargers in the Wild Card round. C.J. Stroud was able to balance things with both RB Joe Mixon and WR Nico Collins. The Texans need an early lead and a mistake-free effort to overcome the Chiefs’ magic on the field, and the power of Taylor Swift and the NFL off it. Both teams underperformed on the line. But the Chiefs crushed bettors all year. They went 8-9 ATS and 3-7 ATS in their final 10 games that mattered. The ‘Travis Kelce anytime TD’ was the most-bet player prop throughout the regular season, but he only scored 3 times. Houston gets the cover here, especially with the hook. The Texans moneyline here at +360 would be worth a small play, as well.”
NFL playoff odds: Texans vs Chiefs | Commanders vs Lions | Ravens vs Bills | Divisional-round point spreads, moneylines
The site’s formula predicts that the Chiefs will win the NFL playoff game against the Texans.
ESPN: Chiefs have a 62.4% chance to beat Texans on Saturday
The site gives the Texans a 37.6% shot at winning the NFL playoff game.
Tyler Dragon writes: “The Chiefs defeated Houston 27-19 in Week 16. Kansas City looks primed to be the first team to three-peat as Super Bowl champions. Kansas City is well rested and Andy Reid is historically good after a bye week. Marquise ‘Hollywood’ Brown’s return to Kansas City’s offense gives the team more firepower. Chris Jones has a significant advantage over Houston’s leaky offensive line. Patrick Mahomes has led the Chiefs to six straight AFC championship games. Mahomes and company are headed to another AFC title contest.”
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Reach Jeremy Cluff at jeremy.cluff@arizonarepublic.com. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter @Jeremy_Cluff.
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Kansas
Kansas City man sentenced for cocaine trafficking, possession of illegal firearm
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) – A Kansas City man was sentenced in federal court for his role in a drug trafficking conspiracy and possession of an illegal firearm.
According to the United States District Court for the Western District of Missouri, 22-year-old Antoine R. Gillum was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison without parole.
His sentencing stems from a June 2024 incident in a metro gas station. KCPD investigators contacted Gillum inside and found that he had discarded a 9 mm pistol in an aisle between the merchandise. He also discarded a pill bottle containing multiple illegal substances: cocaine base, oxycodone/acetaminophen and oxycodone.
Officers searched the vehicle Gillum had arrived in and found approximately 32 grams of cocaine base.
On May 6, 2025, Gillum pleaded guilty to one count each of possession with intent to distribute cocaine and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jessica Jennings. It’s a part of ‘Operation Take Back America,’ a nationwide Department of Justice initiative to eliminate cartels and transnational criminal organizations.
No further information has been released.
Copyright 2026 KCTV. All rights reserved.
Kansas
Deadly 4-car crash kills 2 people, injures others in Kansas City
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) – A crash near a busy highway killed two people and injured two others.
Emergency crews responded to the crash at U.S. 71 Highway and Meyer Boulevard around 12:40 p.m. on Monday, March 2.
When crews arrived they determined four cars were involved in the crash.
Police are investigating how the crash happened.
Copyright 2026 KCTV. All rights reserved.
Kansas
Homegrown Jayhawk stars ready to shine at Big 12 Tournament in Kansas City
LAWRENCE, Kan. (KCTV) – As Kansas women’s basketball prepares to enter the postseason at the Big 12 Tournament in Kansas City, they’ll be led by two Overland Park natives who have been two of the most electrifying players to watch in the country this year.
Junior guard S’Mya Nichols and freshman forward Jaliya Davis have played integral roles in the recent growth of the program. Both cite the desire to help grow the Jayhawks into something special as reasons for committing there.
“Where we wanted to take Kansas women’s basketball, I wanted to be a part of that growing evolution,” Nichols told KCTV5.
“We [my family] were also really big Jayhawk fans. We came to a lot of games,” Davis said about her childhood.
The two were both 5-star recruits in high school, and their commitments marked historic recruiting victories for the KU women’s basketball program.
First came Nichols in the Class of 2023, picking KU over Tennessee and Oklahoma.
“I genuinely wanted to go to Kansas,” she said.
Then Davis became the highest-rated player to ever commit to KU as part of the Class of 2025.
“When you go back to S’Mya Nichols being a local, Kansas City, Overland Park product, a nationally respected player, Jaliya was really the next one that was very important for the Jayhawks to keep home,” said head coach Brandon Schneider.
Now as a junior, Nichols has established herself as one of the most consistent scorers and physical guards in the nation.
But it’s the Shawnee Mission West’s alum’s leadership that defines her legacy in Lawrence.
“The team leader, the quarterback,” Coach Schneider described Nichols. “I think oftentimes the player that everybody looks up to off the court.”
“I mean it means everything. Knowing that I’m important to the team, and that they see me as that as well,” said Nichols with a smile.
Both Nichols and Davis were recruited by the Jayhawks for years, going all the way back to seventh grade.
“Well, we offered her in middle school,’ Coach Schneider said with a laugh about Davis.
“Oh he put in a lot of work,” laughed Davis. “I mean, obviously, seventh grade, that’s a long time.”
It was that dedication from Coach Schneider that led her to choose the Jayhawks over Texas, South Carolina, Baylor, and Oklahoma – where he dad played ball.
“I think it really was the relationship we had and grew. He was always there, every single one of my games,” Davis said about Schneider.
After just one practice as teammates, Nichols voiced a big belief about Davis into existence – and it’s probably going to come true.
“I saw her first practice, and I sent her a text, and I’m like ‘I think you can win Freshman of the Year’, and I still stand by that,”
Davis is averaging 21.0 points per game, and has been named the Big 12 Freshman of the Week for eight weeks in a row. That sets a power conference all-time record.
“I think it’s really cool. I mean obviously it’s a team effort, they’re always looking for me,” Davis said about her historic accomplishment.
“Just a phenomenal stretch of basketball for her, and so well deserving,” said Coach Schneider.
Now these two homegrown stars are at the forefront of a late-season push to earn a bid to the NCAA Tournament. Right now, CBS Sports bracketology has them as a ‘First Four Out’ team.
But a few wins in the Big 12 Tournament could certainly help seal their invite to the big dance.
“Obviously we’re not in the position that we were hoping to be in, but I think we can make the most out of it, and get to where we want to be,” Davis said about the opportunity at hand in the Big 12 Tournament in Kansas City.
The Overland Park kids are especially fired up about starting the postseason in their own backyard.
“I have a big support system. So I bet my family will take a big chunk of that area during that tournament,” Davis laughed.
“I remember being younger, and the College Basketball Experience is right next door. So I felt like at one moment that was the big stage, when I got to play my little AAU tournaments in there. And then all of a sudden I’m literally in T-Mobile Center on the actual big stage, so it’s pretty cool,” said Nichols.
The Jayhawks are the 11-seed in the Big 12 Tournament, and will face 14-seed UCF in the first round on Wednesday at 8:00 p.m.
Copyright 2026 KCTV. All rights reserved.
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