Chiefs-Texans players to watch: Look beyond the stars for possible difference-makers
There will be plenty of star power when the Chiefs meet the Texans in Sunday’s AFC Divisional Round playoff playoff game at Arrowhead Stadium.
Patrick Mahomes, Tyreek Hill, Travis Kelce and Tyrann Mathieu for the Chiefs.
Deshaun Watson, J.J. Watt and DeAndre Hopkins for the Texans.
But who could make difference beyond some of these more obvious guys to watch? Here are two from each side who have either enjoyed good seasons but have flown somewhat under the radar, or who will be counted upon Sunday in a bigger way.
Texans running back Duke Johnson
Yes, Carlos Hyde is Houston’s rushing leader. Watson is the game-breaker and wide receiver Hopkins is the perennial star. But Johnson as a knack for coming up with the big play for the Texans. In their playoff victory over the Bills, for instance, Johnson’s three rushing attempts yielded a 12.-yard average. And his extra effort on an 18-yard gain on third-and-18 in overtime was the catalyst on the Texans’ game-winning field-goal drive. Johnson is the top receiving target out of the Houston backfield, and those kind of plays have damaged the Chiefs this season. To wit: Johnson’s 11-yard touchdown reception against the Chiefs in Week 6 started the Texans’ comeback in a 31-24 victory.
Texans nose tackle D.J. Reader
Coaches love the hustle Reader showed in the fourth quarter last Saturday. The Bills made the right call, with quarterback Josh Allen completing a screen to running back Devin Singletary. Bu never giving up on the 38-yard gain was the 327-pound Reader, who started behind the play and didn’t stop pursuing until Singletary was pushed out of bounds. On Sunday, Reader’s job will be to plug the middle of Chiefs’ rushing lanes and to get pressure on Patrick Mahomes. “You don’t want to give him any clear throwing lanes,” Reader said. “He can make any throw so you try to cause as much chaos in his face as you can.” Reader has 2 1/2 sacks plus 13 quarterback hits this season, trailing only J.J. Watt (21) and Whitney Mercilus (15) on the Houston roster in that statistical category.
Chiefs safety Armani Watts
Watts’ 48 defensive snaps against the Chargers in the Chiefs’ regular-season finale were more than his combined total for the rest of the season. He got the call when rookie starter Juan Thornhill went down with a torn ACL and now could be in the spotlight in the biggest game of his pro career. A groin injury limited Watts to five games as a rookie in 2018. He’s been a versatile special teams player, and his biggest play as a Chief occurred when he snuffed out a fake punt at Denver this season. The Texans will throw plenty of action at Watts. The Chiefs will trust they’ve prepared him well.
Chiefs wide receiver Sammy Watkins
Stars need to come up big in big games, and top Chiefs targets Hill and Kelce should produce against Houston. But Watkins figures to be a regular option who won’t attract as much defensive attention. He took advantage of this in last year’s postseason, recording six receptions against the Indianapolis Colts and four for 114 yards against the New England Patriots. Hill had two touchdown receptions against the Texans in Week 6, his first game back from a pretty serious shoulder injury. Kelce was consistently good against this season, and rookie receiver Mecole Hardman’s speed is a factor. But Watkins was second on the team in targets in 2019, and he could be the player who gets loose against Houston.