Andy Reid, Patrick Mahomes know the biggest challenge the Chiefs' offense will face vs. Texans' defense
The Kansas City Chiefs are set to host the Houston Texans in the divisional playoff round on Saturday. The two teams met just under a month ago in Week 16, with Kansas City coming out on top 27-19. The Chiefs' offense was efficient on that day, averaging 4.4 yards per carry on the ground, committing […]
The Kansas City Chiefs are set to host the Houston Texans in the divisional playoff round on Saturday.
The two teams met just under a month ago in Week 16, with Kansas City coming out on top 27-19. The Chiefs' offense was efficient on that day, averaging 4.4 yards per carry on the ground, committing zero turnovers, and quarterback Patrick Mahomes throwing for 261 yards and recording two total touchdowns.
Perhaps the most impressive accomplishment by K.C.'s offense during that game was that there was only one sack allowed by the offensive line. The Texans have a ferocious pass rush, finishing fourth in the NFL in sacks during the regular season with 49.
During it's Wild Card matchup against the Los Angeles Chargers, Houston's defense recorded four sacks and four interceptions against quarterback Justin Herbert. That has not gone unnoticed by Chiefs coach Andy Reid, who acknowledged how fast the Texans' defense plays while speaking to the media on Tuesday.
"The first thing that jumps out at you is speed," Reid said. "That front can run. The speed of the D-line, and the linebackers just jump out at you. They're real good with the hands of the secondary. Those guys, they catch the ball. You don't see a lot of bobbles or drops or that kind of thing. If it's close, they can go up and snag it."
33 of Houston's 49 sacks came from it's defensive line, led by defensive ends Will Anderson Jr. and Danielle Hunter with 11 and 12 respectively. Cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. earned a 2024 Pro Bowl nod with five interceptions and 18 passes defensed. Mahomes also spoke on Tuesday, and gave the Texans their due.
"Yeah, I think everybody kind of knows that defense is extremely real," Mahomes said. "They have a great quarterback and a great coach, and we know when we played them this last time it was a hard fought game. They get after the quarterback really well. They have really good secondary players, and their linebackers fly around. So, it'll be a great challenge for us, and we'll have to play our best football."
Assuming that the Chiefs stick with Joe Thuney at left tackle and Mike Caliendo at left guard, Houston could have the unique advantage of being the first team to play that version of K.C.'s offensive line for a second time. Thuney and Caliendo have played just three games at those specific positions this season, and this time around the Texans will have an idea of what to expect from them.
On the flip side, the Chiefs will be well rested, and should have plenty of new material for Houston since their playbook was likely limited a bit during their previous matchup due to playing on a short week.
Optimism for return of CB Jaylen Watson for Chiefs’ divisional round matchup vs. Texans is high
He would provide a big boost.
