The Kansas City Chiefs will look to get back in the win column on Sunday night with a prime-time clash against the Houston Texans.

Here are five things to keep in mind heading into game day.

1. Here's a look at the final injury report for both teams.

The Chiefs will be without cornerback Chris Roland-Wallace (back) and wide receiver Nikko Remigio (shoulder/concussion) on Sunday night, while offensive guard Trey Smith (ankle) and offensive tackle Jawaan Taylor (triceps/knee) are listed as "Doubtful" for the game.

Additionally, offensive tackle Josh Simmons (wrist) was placed on Injured Reserve earlier this week, meaning he'll be absent for at least the Chiefs' next four games.

As for Houston, the Texans placed starting defensive tackle Tim Settle (foot) on Injured Reserve earlier this week. Starting cornerback Kamari Lassiter, who leads the Texans in defensive snaps, is listed as "Questionable" for the game.

2. The Chiefs will need to find a way to contain Houston's league-best tandem of edge-rushers.

Houston boasts the league's No. 1 scoring (16.5) and total (265.7) defense entering Week 14. The Texans have allowed 20 or more points a league-low three times this season, and at the core of that defensive success has been their star-studded pass-rushing tandem of Will Anderson and Danielle Hunter, who have combined for 21.5 sacks on the year.

In fact, Hunter and Anderson are the only pair of teammates across the NFL who each have double-digit sacks in 2025. No other tandem has even eight sacks each this season, while Hunter and Anderson are both north of 10 sacks on the campaign. That duo led a collective effort that combined for a season-high eight sacks against the Buffalo Bills in Week 12, stopping Buffalo's high-powered offense in its tracks.

So, it goes without saying that finding a way to limit Anderson and Hunter's impact on Sunday night is central to a Chiefs' victory, and for what it's worth, Kansas City did a serviceable job (yielding three sacks) against Denver's league-leading pass-rush in Week 11.

The Chiefs offensive line will likely be down three starters this time around (as opposed to Week 11), but there are still ways to mitigate a great pass-rush like this, from running the ball to utilizing the quick passing game. It's just a matter of executing that scheme, and when possible, avoiding obvious passing situations. That challenge, of course, is further amplified by a Texans' secondary that features a number of impact players, including Calen Bullock (43.4), Jalen Pitre (51.8) and Derek Stingley (56.0), who each rank in the top six in terms of lowest passer rating allowed in coverage this season.

It all presents quite a task for Kansas City, especially likely down three starters up front, but the Chiefs do have history on their side. Quarterback Patrick Mahomes is 5-1 in his career when facing either the league's No. 1 scoring or total defense, and in two matchups against teams that led the NFL in both categories – like Houston currently does – Mahomes is 2-0.

He'll have a chance to add to that impressive number on Sunday night.

3. Kansas City's ability to create (and maximize) some short fields could be the difference in the game.

With Houston's defensive prowess in mind, the Chiefs' ability to force – and ultimately, maximize – some short fields on Sunday will be critical.

For example, the Texans yielded 27 points to the Seahawks in Week 7, but 17 of those points took place on drives that began in Houston territory. It was a similar story in Week 10, when Jacksonville tallied 17 of its 29 total points on short fields or special teams.

So, if the Chiefs have opportunities to force some short fields on Sunday, whether that be with a turnover, a defensive stand deep in Texans' territory or a big return, their ability to do so may very well be the difference in the game. Then, on top of that, if presented with those opportunities, Kansas City has to finish in the red zone.

The Chiefs were 3-for-3 in terms of red zone touchdown efficiency last week after going just 2-for-10 during the two games prior, and against Houston's league-best defense, every red zone opportunity will be crucial.

4. The Chiefs' defense will aim to bounce back defensively on Sunday, particularly on third down.

A key element in forcing those aforementioned short fields is the potential of a bounce-back performance from the Chiefs' defense, which allowed a season-high 31 points to Dallas last week.

Specifically, Dallas was 9-for-16 on third down on Thanksgiving, converting five times on 3rd-and-7 or longer. That performance was essentially the story of the game, and now facing a Houston offense that ranks 11th in the NFL in scoring since Week 4, Kansas City will need to be better in that area.

Fulfilling that mandate begins with slowing down the Texans' tandem of running backs in Woody Marks and Nick Chubb, who have combined for just under 1,000 rushing yards this season. Marks, in particular, has rushed for at least 60 yards in four of his last six games.

Limiting that duo's effectiveness would then ideally lead to some obvious passing situations, and unlike last week – where Kansas City struggled to create consistent pressure on Cowboys' quarterback Dak Prescott – the Chiefs will need to disrupt the timing of Texans' quarterback C. J. Stroud.

Stroud, who returned from a three-game absence last week and led the Texans to a victory over the Colts, has committed seven "turnover worthy plays," a metric combined by Pro Football Focus, in nine games this year when under pressure.

Kansas City will need to add to that figure on Sunday night.

5. Kansas City has played its best football at home this season.

The Chiefs' 6-6 record represents some uncharted territory in the context of the last several years, but it's worth pointing out that Kansas City has played its best football at home this season.

Kansas City is 5-1 at home in 2025, winning each of its last five contests by a mark of 149 to 64. Conversely, the Chiefs are just 1-5 on the road this year.

The energy of the crowd clearly played in a role in the Chiefs' comeback victory over Indianapolis a few weeks ago, and now back at home, Kansas City will have another opportunity to feed off that atmosphere in what represents another critical matchup.