Why the Chiefs must contain Texans star Joe Mixon in Saturday’s AFC playoff game
Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Nick Bolton is ready for the challenge.
Bolton will likely receive a steady dose of Houston Texans running back Joe Mixon when the teams meet in an AFC Divisional Round game in the NFL playoffs at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium.
Mixon, selected to the Pro Bowl this season, spearheads the Texans’ offense with quarterback CJ Stroud.
The Chiefs limited Mixon to 71 scrimmage yards in Week 16. However, Mixon ran for 106 yards and a touchdown on 25 carries during a 32-12 victory over the Los Angeles Chargers in last week’s AFC Wild Card round.
Mixon figures to see his usual heavy workload against the Chiefs. He is dealing with an ankle injury and missed practice on Thursday but is expected to play in Saturday’s game.
And that puts Bolton on high alert.
Bolton wears the Chiefs’ “green dot” helmet on defense. He is tasked with relaying the defensive plays to his teammates. His other job requirements include ensuring the defense is lined up in the correct scheme.
Bolton had eight tackles and forced a fumble against the Texans in Week 16. He will need to replicate that performance, alongside fellow linebackers Leo Chanal and Drue Tranquill, for KC to stymie the Texans’ ground game.
“We are looking to have a fresh football team that is firing on all cylinders,” Chiefs defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo said.
Mixon presents a difficult look for the Chiefs. He is strong between the tackles but also has the ability to create havoc as a pass catcher. The Texans will be missing slot receiver Tank Dell due to an injury suffered at KC in Week 16 and could rely on Mixon to absorb some of those intermediate routes.
This season, Mixon hauled in 27 receptions for 170 yards. He played 71% of the Texans’ offensive snaps against the Chargers.
Bolton will be tasked with containing Mixon on Houston’s run plays. Chanal and Tranquill will also be counted on to defend the Texans’ flat routes and checkdown options.
“I’m sure they feel really good about the way their offense is rolling right now,” Spagnuolo said. “That’s the only thing that I have my eyes on. I see a confident team now. … Coming off that win last week and how they played, I’d imagine that’s going to be a confident group coming in here.”
The Chiefs will also be on the lookout for Stroud. Houston’s quarterback has the ability to run when plays break down, so the Chiefs are preparing for those situations, as well.
“We’ve talked extensively about trying to bottle this quarterback up,” Spagnuolo said, “because we saw last week what he can do when he decides to run it.”
The Texans ended the season ranked 15th in the league with an average rush of 4.4 yards per carry. Additionally, Mixon averaged 72.6 yards per game while appearing in 14 contests. He is backed up on the depth chart by Daemon Pierce and Dare Ogunbowale.
How the Chiefs prepare for the Texans’ offense will be important to the outcome of Saturday’s game. It could come down to containing Mixon and forcing Stroud to throw more often.
