The NFL playoff schedule for 2020 brings a unique set of national TV broadcasts, with three networks and the associated TV channels presenting four games over the span of two days in the divisional round. Today’s Chiefs vs. Texans game in Kansas City, scheduled to kick off at 3:05 p.m. ET, will be shown on CBS.
This game, it should go without saying, is all about the star quarterbacks. The matchup of Houston’s Deshaun Watson (24) and Kansas City’s Patrick Mahomes (24), both of whom were selected in the first round of the 2017 NFL Draft, marks the third matchup in the divisional round of the playoffs between two quarterbacks under the age of 25 in the Super Bowl era.
CHIEFS vs. TEXANS PICKS:
Against the spread | Straight-up predictions
While the Chiefs are in this game thanks to the first-round bye they earned as the AFC’s No. 2 seed, the Texans are here thanks to the heroics of Watson. In Houston’s overtime win over Buffalo in the wild-card round, Watson completed 20 of 25 pass attempts (80 percent) for 247 yards and a touchdown and added 55 yards and a touchdown on the ground.
If Watson rushes for at least 50 yards Sunday against Kansas City, he will become the first quarterback with at least 50 rushing yards in three consecutive postseason games in NFL history.
Below is all the info you need to watch Chiefs vs. Texans on Sunday, including the TV channel and kickoff time.
MORE: Full betting preview for Chiefs vs. Texans
What channel is Chiefs vs. Texans on today?
TV channel (national): CBS
TV channel (Kansas City): KCTV
TV channel (Houston): KHOU
Live stream: Yahoo! | DAZN (in CA)
Sunday’s Chiefs vs. Texans game on Sunday will be called by the network’s No. X crew. That means xxx and xxx will be on the call. xxx and xxx will report from the sidelines, and xxx NFL rules analyst xxx will explain officiating rulings.
For those who can’t watch Chiefs vs. Texans on TV and wish to find the game on the radio, the Houston call can be heard on Sirius channel 82 and XM channel 226, and the Kansas City call can be heard on Sirius channel 83 and XM channel 225.
MORE: Watch every NFL game and RedZone on DAZN (Canada only)
Chiefs vs. Texans: What time is kickoff?
Date: Sunday, Jan. 12
Start time: 3:05 p.m. ET
In both our picks against the spread and our straight-up predictions for the divisional round, Sporting News projected a Chiefs win over the Texans. Below are the explanations.
Against the spread: The Texans used a strong ball-control game plan to defeat the Chiefs 31-24 in the teams’ regular-season matchup at Arrowhead Stadium back in October. They had the ideal power rushing attack working to keep Patrick Mahomes off the field, nearly doubling up in time of possession. The Chiefs remain vulnerable against the run, but their all-around defense has been much improved since that Week 6 loss.
The Texans don’t have coverage answers for Tyreek Hill or Travis Kelce, and Mahomes will be way more efficient passing than Josh Allen was against Houston in the wild-card round. On the flip side, look for former Texan Tyrann Mathieu to make a big play against Deshaun Watson to punch Kansas City’s ticket to a second straight AFC championship game.
Pick: Chiefs win 27-14 and cover the spread.
Straight up: The Chiefs are the biggest favorites in the divisional round for good reason. Not only are they completely healthy and fresh off their first-round bye, but they’re riding a hot streak fueled by Patrick Mahomes’ ridiculous arm and the mismatches his targets create. Even with J.J. Watt back in the mix to make things uncomfortable for the reigning league MVP, Houston will struggle to keep Kansas City below its average of 28.2 points per game.
The Texans will have to approach this game the same way they handled their regular-season win over the Chiefs. That ball-control strategy led to a season-high 192 rushing yards as a team and a 31-24 victory, and Mahomes was on the field for only a third of the game. While the Chiefs’ defense has improved dramatically since that Week 6 meeting, it remains vulnerable, especially against a QB like Deshaun Watson. That’ll keep the game closer than expected, but it won’t lead to an upset.
Pick: Chiefs 28, Texans 24
MORE: Playoff predictions through Super Bowl 54
NFL playoff schedule: Divisional round
Below is the full NFL divisional playoff schedule for 2020, complete with TV channels and live stream links.
Saturday, Jan. 11
| Matchup | Start time | TV channel | Live stream |
| Vikings at 49ers | 4:35 p.m. ET | NBC | Yahoo! |
| Titans at Ravens | 8:15 p.m. ET | CBS | Yahoo! |
Sunday, Jan. 12
| Matchup | Start time | TV channel | Live stream |
| Texans at Chiefs | 3:05 p.m. ET | CBS | Yahoo! |
| Seahawks at Packers | 6:40 p.m. ET | Fox | Yahoo! |