You're probably staring at your remote right now or frantically scrolling through a streaming app trying to figure out where the Kansas City Chiefs and Houston Texans are playing. It’s a mess. Between the NFL’s rotating broadcast deals and the way playoff schedules shift every single year, finding the right channel is basically a sport in itself.
Honestly, the "where to watch" answer depends entirely on which game you’re looking for, because these two teams have a habit of meeting when the stakes are highest.
If you are looking for the most recent clash, the big one happened in the 2025-2026 regular season on December 7, 2025. That was a Sunday Night Football special on NBC. But if you're looking for the current buzz, many fans are reminiscing about their high-stakes January meetings. For the most part, when Patrick Mahomes and C.J. Stroud square off in the postseason, you can bet on ABC or ESPN being the primary homes for that action.
What Channel Is the Chiefs Texans Game On?
Most people assume every big AFC game lands on CBS. That's a mistake. While CBS is the "home" of the AFC, the NFL loves to flex these powerhouse matchups into primetime slots. For the 2025-2026 cycle, the most recent regular-season game between these two aired on NBC and streamed on Peacock.
If you're hunting for a postseason broadcast, things shift. Historically, the NFL Divisional Round games involving these two have frequently landed on ESPN/ABC. This is part of the league's "Monday Night Football" group of broadcasters getting a piece of the playoff pie. You’ve likely heard Joe Buck and Troy Aikman calling the shots for these specific games.
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Here is the breakdown of where to find the coverage:
- National TV: Usually NBC (Regular Season Primetime) or ESPN/ABC (Playoffs).
- Streaming: Peacock is the go-to for NBC games, while ESPN+ handles the simulcasts for ABC/ESPN.
- Mobile: The NFL+ app is the catch-all, but only for phones and tablets.
Why the Channel Keeps Changing
It’s annoying, right? You get used to one app, and then the next week the game is somewhere else. The NFL uses a "cross-flexing" system. This means a game that should be on CBS can be moved to FOX to balance out the viewership numbers.
When the Texans travel to Arrowhead, or the Chiefs head down to NRG Stadium, the "A-list" nature of the QB battle usually triggers a bidding war between networks. If it’s a Sunday afternoon game, you’re almost certainly looking at CBS. If it’s late at night, look for the peacock logo or the big red ESPN letters.
Streaming Options Without Cable
If you've cut the cord, you aren't out of luck, but you might need to juggle a few logins. For the games that air on NBC, Peacock is actually a pretty solid deal. It’s cheap and the stream quality is usually higher than what you get on some of the "Live TV" bundles.
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For the ABC/ESPN games, you have a few choices:
- YouTube TV: It has everything—ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC, and ESPN. It’s expensive, but it’s the closest thing to "real" cable.
- Hulu + Live TV: Similar to YouTube, but you get Disney+ and ESPN+ bundled in.
- FuboTV: Great for sports nerds, though it can be pricey.
- Sling TV: You’ll need the "Orange" package to get ESPN, but be careful—Sling doesn't always carry local ABC stations in every market.
The Mahomes vs. Stroud Factor
Let's be real: the reason this game is always on a major national channel is because of the quarterbacks. C.J. Stroud has turned the Texans into a must-watch team faster than anyone expected. When he goes up against Mahomes, the networks see dollar signs.
During the December 2025 matchup, the Chiefs were fighting through some serious offensive line injuries. They were missing both starting tackles, which made for a stressful night for Mahomes. Meanwhile, the Texans' defense, led by Will Anderson Jr., has become a nightmare for even the best play-callers. That kind of drama is why the NFL puts this game in the "Window of the Week" slots.
Local Radio and Blackouts
If you’re stuck in the car or the TV is being used for a "Bluey" marathon, you can still catch the game. In Kansas City, 96.5 FM (The Fan) is the flagship. For those in Houston, you’ll want to find SportsRadio 610.
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One thing to watch out for: "Blackouts" aren't really a thing for the NFL anymore in the way they used to be (where a game wouldn't air if the stadium wasn't full). However, "regionalization" still exists. If the Chiefs and Texans are playing a 1:00 PM ET game on CBS, and you live in, say, Seattle, you might get a different game unless you have NFL Sunday Ticket via YouTube.
How to Get Ready for Kickoff
Before the game starts, do yourself a favor and check the NFL app on your smart TV. Usually, the "Home" screen will have a big button that says "Watch Live," and it will automatically redirect you to the app that has the rights in your area. It saves you five minutes of clicking through apps while the kickoff is happening.
Actionable Next Steps:
- Verify your local ABC/NBC affiliate: Check your zip code on the YouTube TV or Hulu + Live TV "Welcome" page to ensure they carry the local channel for your specific city.
- Download the ESPN App: Even if you don't have a sub, the "Gamecast" feature is the fastest way to see live stats and drive charts if you can't get to a TV.
- Check the Kickoff Time: NFL games frequently move by 10–15 minutes for TV "windowing." Always check the official NFL schedule about two hours before the game to make sure the start time hasn't shifted slightly for a national broadcast.