Texans at Chiefs AFC divisional-round playoff preview: Patrick Mahomes vs. Deshaun Watson could provide fireworks
When: Sunday, Jan. 12, 3:05 p.m. ET
Where: Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Mo.
Channel: CBS
Line: Chiefs by 9 ½
Injuries: The big blow for Kansas City was losing safety Juan Thornhill in the regular-season finale with a torn anterior cruciate ligament. The good news for the Chiefs is they had their first-round bye and enjoyed extra rest that should allow cornerback Morris Claiborne, guard Andrew Wylie, and nose tackle Xavier Williams – each of whom missed the Week 17 victory against the Chargers – to heal up. Coach Andy Reid said all players were present for a Monday practice, though he doesn’t have to designate any of their status in an injury report until Wednesday.
The Texans were without receiver Will Fuller (groin) in their wild-card round win against the Bills. He’s the biggest question for Houston now that defensive end J.J. Watt returned from a torn pectoral and recorded a sack against the Bills. Coach Bill O’Brien said Fuller is trending toward playing but will be monitored throughout the week for any potential setbacks. Cornerback Johnathan Joseph (hamstring) also missed the Bills game, though his role has steadily diminished, as did backup tight end Jordan Akins (hamstring).
THREE KEYS TO TEXANS VS. CHIEFS
1. New and improved: Kansas City’s success in 2018, of course, can be attributed to its offense and the weapons Reid has at his disposal. But the Chiefs have become a legitimate Super Bowl threat this season thanks to a defense that has clamped down on opposing offenses and is keeping teams out of the end zone. Over their last six games of the regular season, the Chiefs have allowed just 11.5 points per game. The key in the turnaround has been the play in the secondary, and specifically at safety. New coordinator Steve Spagnuolo implemented a 4-3 base scheme and has depended on Tyrann Mathieu and Thornhill's ability to blanket targets along the middle of the field, creating much tighter windows for opposing quarterbacks. That’s why Thonhill’s torn ACL is such a blow. Mathieu is instinctive and versatile. Thornhill was aggressive. Now, the burden will fall on backup Daniel Sorensen to keep the unit humming.
2. Pass pro: In the wild-card round, Houston’s offensive line again showed just how big of a weakness it can be. Buffalo sacked Deshaun Watson seven times, and the pass rush allowed the Bills to race out to a 16-0 lead. The Bills used stunts to confuse Houston’s offensive line and get through to Watson. To be sure, Watson at times holds onto the ball for too long, but pass protection and blitz pickup from the running backs will be integral against the Chiefs. Kansas City’s improved play in the secondary, meanwhile, is giving pass rushers more time to get to the quarterback, as the team registered 13 sacks over its last five games.
3. Rematch?: These two squads faced off already in Week 6, also at Arrowhead, when the Texans handled the Chiefs 31-24. Kansas City dominated early, racing out to a 17-3 lead in the first quarter, but Houston rallied in response. But don’t put too much stock into that earlier matchup. The Chiefs were without five starters in the game, and quarterback Patrick Mahomes was still showing signs of being hobbled by an ankle issue. Houston looked a little different, too. It was without receiver Kenny Stills, who has become a dependable, big-play threat for Watson. One key in that game, though: the Chiefs didn’t sack Watson once.
Follow Lorenzo Reyes on Twitter @LorenzoGReyes.