Five things to know about the Chiefs’ playoff opponent: Houston Texans
Are you ready for ... a rematch?
The Chiefs will be facing the Houston Texans in an AFC Divisional Round playoff game at Arrowhead Stadium, and those teams met in the 2019 regular season on Oct. 13 at Arrowhead Stadium.
The Texans won that game 31-24. On Saturday, Houston beat the Bills 22-19 in overtime in an AFC Wild Card game to advance to another meeting with the Chiefs at Arrowhead.
Each week, we take an early look at the Chiefs’ next opponent. Here are five things to know about the Texans, who are 11-6 and seeded fourth in the AFC playoff field.
Sunday’s game kicks off at 2:05 p.m. and will be broadcast on CBS (Ch. 5).
1. Catch him if you can
Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson, who was taken two spots after the Chiefs’ Patrick Mahomes in the 2017 NFL Draft, was picked for his second straight Pro Bowl this season. He completed 67.3% of his passes during the regular season for 3,852 yards, 26 touchdowns and 12 interceptions in 15 games.
After a sluggish start to the Texans’ playoff win over Buffalo Saturday, Watson was sensational in the second half and overtime.
First, there was his touchdown run that started the home team’s rally from a 16-point deficit.
Then he set up the game-winning field goal by somehow escaping a sack in overtime.
In the October game at Arrowhead, Watson completed 30 of 42 passes for 280 yards with a touchdown and two interceptions. He also rushed 10 times for 42 yards and a pair of touchdowns.
2. Mr. Hyde
Chiefs fans may remember running back Carlos Hyde. He signed with the Chiefs in March but was traded to Houston in August. He went on to have his best season as a professional.
Hyde rushed for 1,070 yards, the most he’s had in his seven-year career. He also ran for six touchdowns and averaged 4.4 yards per carry.
Duke Johnson has proved to be a tough runner, too. He has 410 rushing yards in 83 carries, and he’s the Texans’ third-leading receiver (44 catches for another 410 yards).
3. A three-time All-Pro
The Texans’ leading receiver should be known to Chiefs fans: DeAndre Hopkins was chosen last week to the All-Pro team for the third straight season.
Hopkins missed one game this season but still totaled 104 receptions for 1,165 yards and seven touchdowns. In the first meeting against the Chiefs, he was targeted 12 times and made nine catches for just 55 yards. His 6.11 yards-per-reception average against the Chiefs was one of his lowest of the season.
4. J.J. Watt’s return
Defensive lineman J.J. Watt’s season appeared to be over in October because of a torn pectoral injury, but he returned from injured reserve for Saturday’s playoff game and made an impact.
Watt had a sack in the second half that appeared to spark the Texans’ comeback. It came with the Bills driving. Buffalo kicked a field goal on the drive but could have gone up 20-0 if not for this Watt sack:
NFL.com said Watt played 34 of 44 plays in the second half and overtime and Houston’s defense allowed Buffalo only a pair of field goals after halftime. Watt also added two quarterback hits and a tackle for loss in the game.
Houston’s scoring defense (24.1 points per game) ranked 19th in the NFL during the regular season, and the Texans allowed an average of 388.3 yards per game, good for 28th. They were 29th against the pass (267.2 ypg).
5. Special teams
Houston kicker Ka’imi Fairbairn made all 13 of his field-goal attempts inside 40 yards this season but was just 7 for 12 from beyond that distance. However. He made a 41-yard field goal in Saturday’s playoff game.
Texans punter Bryan Anger was third in the NFL with a net average of 43.5 yards per kick. He also placed 27 punts inside the 20-yard line this season.
This story was originally published January 5, 2020 at 9:01 AM.
