Chiefs’ keys vs. Texans: Start fast this time, and unleash the new kid on the block
Kansas City’s title defense officially begins in mere hours.
The Chiefs kick off the regular season Thursday night by hosting the Houston Texans at Arrowhead Stadium.
Thursday’s matchup represents the 13th matchup between the two teams, including the third in less than a year. The Chiefs hold a 7-5 edge in their all-time series.
The last time the Chiefs and Texans squared off came in last season’s AFC Divisional Game last season. The Texans jumped out to a 24-0 lead before the Chiefs scored an incredible 41 straight points to secure a 51-31 victory. Two games later, the Chiefs won Super Bowl LIV.
Here are four key areas to monitor for the Chiefs, who seek to win a sixth straight season opener under coach Andy Reid.
Start fast
Yes, the Chiefs’ comeback win over the Texans was exciting. Yes, the Chiefs proved they could overcome any deficit throughout the postseason with quarterback Patrick Mahomes and company.
But does this team really want to play every game this way?
The Chiefs are the Super Bowl champions, so it’s time to impose their will on opponents ... starting with their season opener.
Instead of falling behind early, the Chiefs’ offense must focus on coming out and firing on all cylinders. Having eight of 11 starters back from their Super Bowl roster certainly helps.
Their three new starters only add to an already-explosive offense: rookie running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire and guards Kelechi Osemele and Andrew Wylie, who returns as a starter after losing his spot to Stefen Wisniewski late in the season, will contribute immediately.
Defensively, the Chiefs have experienced some transition at the cornerback position, with starter Bashaud Breeland serving a four-game suspension to open the season. Rashad Fenton projects to start at Breeland’s spot, with Antonio Hamilton and rookie L’Jarius Sneed ready for backup action.
Their pass defense provides a different look from the AFC Divisional Game, but the Chiefs won’t have to contend with three-time All-Pro wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins, whom the Texans traded to the Arizona Cardinals during the offseason.
Running it back starts now — by looking like champions with no weaknesses.
Unleash the rookie
The Chiefs have a shiny new toy in their backfield, and the Texans project as an ideal matchup on paper.
Edwards-Helaire, who made numerous head-turning plays during training camp, squares off against a Houston rush defense that finished the 2019 season ranked 25th against the run, allowing 121.1 yards per game. Last season at LSU, Edward-Helaire averaged a healthy 6.6 yards per carry while helping the Tigers win the national championship.
The Texans’ defensive secondary proved even worse than their run defense, ranking 29th in the league. The Chiefs’ versatile first-round pick, who totaled 55 catches at LSU in 2019, should be busy Thursday night out of the backfield as a receiver.
There’s no better spot to introduce Edwards-Helaire to the NFL and a national audience than during this prime-time game.
Chiefs’ defense against Watson
Don’t blame Watson for his team’s epic collapse in the AFC Divisional Game.
Watson did his part, throwing for 388 yards and two touchdowns while adding 37 yards rushing and another score.
Instead, the fault fell squarely on the Texans’ defense, which had no answer for the Chiefs’ prolific offense.
He has a new supporting cast this season, but Watson remains one of the NFL’s top signal-callers, and the Chiefs know he can hurt them with his arm or legs. If anyone needs a reminder about how dangerous Watson can be, keep in mind he totaled 668 yards passing and three touchdowns in two games against the Chiefs last season. He also produced 79 yards rushing and three touchdowns on the ground.
Watson might have lost his security blanket in Hopkins, but the Chiefs defense shouldn’t let up.
Chiefs’ secondary against Texans WRs
Speaking of Hopkins, the biggest challenge for the Chiefs’ defense is figuring out the identity of Houston’s No. 1 wide receiver.
Will Fuller returns and the Texans added wide receivers Randall Cobb and Brandin Cooks in the wake of Hopkins’ departure.
Each of those three receivers brings his own skill-set and proven ability to produce. And all three have something in common: speed.
Cooks amassed four straight 1,000-yard receiving season from 2015-18 and boasts a career 14.3-yards-per-catch average as a deep threat. To put that average in perspective, Tyreek Hill, arguably the fastest receiver in the NFL, has averaged a career 14.6 yards per catch.
Simply put, the Chiefs’ defense can’t fall asleep on the back end of coverage even if the Texans no longer have Hopkins.
