Smith: Bill O’Brien coaches Texans to biggest meltdown in team history

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The Texans stepped inside near-freezing Arrowhead Stadium knowing they were staring at Houston history. Beat the Chiefs and the AFC championship game would be played against AFC South-rival Tennessee inside the Texans’ stadium.

Then the most Texans half in franchise history took place.

It was beautiful, brilliant and thrilling.

It was ugly, horrific and embarrassing.

It was 7-0 road team. Then it was immediately 14-0. Up next: 21-0 before the first quarter was complete.

Bang. Pow. Kaboom.

With 10 minutes, 54 seconds still remaining in the first half, Bill O’Brien’s team led the heavily favored Chiefs 24-0, Arrowhead Stadium was stunned into silence and Twitter was blowing up like the Texans had just won their first Super Bowl.

You know it was too good to be true.

The other Texans suddenly appeared.

The Texans you always refuse to fully believe in.

The Texans who tease and torture you annually.

The Texans who decide it’s a great idea to go for a fake punt when facing fourth down and four at their 31.

Oops.

Kansas City proudly stood up, the Texans fell flat and the real horror show began.

The Chiefs scored four super-fast touchdowns, with the longest drive lasting just 2:03. Then they opened the second half by marching 85 yards on just seven plays in only 3:36.

From up 24-0 to down 34-24.

From Andy Reid in playoff trouble yet again to O’Brien painfully unable to get anything out of his team.

Where was Romeo Crennel?

Where was the Texans' heart and fight?

It was soon 51-31. The Chiefs had outscored the Texans 51-7. And King O'Brien had coached his team to the biggest meltdown in franchise history.