Former NFL quarterback says Chiefs defense shouldn’t worry about sacks vs. Texans
The Chiefs’ AFC divisional playoff game against the Houston Texans on Sunday at Arrowhead Stadium will be broadcast on CBS (Ch. 5), and a pair of the network’s analysts have offered thoughts on the contest.
Former New York Giants quarterback Phil Simms said in quotes emailed to The Star that the Chiefs defense has one important task.
“Kansas City has really rounded into shape,” Simms said. “Their defense has gotten much better. Their defensive front is bigger, has more depth and is healthy. It’s not that they have great pass rushers, but they do pressure the pocket. They move people back because of their size. That’s going to help them against Deshaun Watson, especially against throwing the football down the field.
“They will need to keep Deshaun Watson in the pocket — don’t worry about sacking the quarterback. If they do that, their chances of winning go up dramatically.”
Watson’s ability to throw passes outside the pocket and break off some runs were keys to the Texans’ overtime win over the Bills in a wild card game.
Simms said the Texans can win at Arrowhead Stadium, but it would be a “pretty big upset if they do.”
“The Kansas City team they will be facing this time is better on both sides of the ball,” Simms said. “The defense has gotten better and the offense is much better with Patrick Mahomes passing to his receivers with short passes and moving the ball that way than they were before.”
Former Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Boomer Esiason also said the Chiefs’ defense is much improved.
“The Texans, coming off of a miraculous wild card victory over the Bills, will have their hands full trying to defend Patrick Mahomes,” Esiason said. “The difference between the Chiefs now as opposed to when they played earlier in the season is the Chiefs defense is so much better.
“Deshaun Watson will certainly have his hands full. If (receiver) Will Fuller can’t get over his groin injury, they are severely hampered in the pass game down the field as we have seen when he is out of the lineup.”
Esiason also expected Arrowhead Stadium to live up to its reputation as the loudest stadium in the world.
“Arrowhead will be rocking on Sunday,” he said. “This will be a very difficult test for (coach) Bill O’Brien and his Texans.”
This story was originally published January 9, 2020 at 11:51 AM.
