Five things to know about the Chiefs’ next opponent: Houston Texans
The Chiefs are already 1-0 against the Texans in the year 2020.
Nearly seven months ago, Houston jumped to a 24-0 lead on the Chiefs in a AFC Divisional playoff game at Arrowhead Stadium. The Chiefs then scored six straight touchdowns, including four in the second quarter, and routed the Texans 51-31 on Jan. 12.
Houston will be back in Kansas City on Thursday to open the season, and the Chiefs will raise a banner as Super Bowl champions.
Each week I take an early look at the Chiefs’ next opponent, and here are five things to know about the Texans ahead of Thursday’s game, which kicks off at 7:20 p.m. and will be broadcast on NBC (Ch. 41) with Al Michaels and Cris Collinsworth calling the game:
1. No Hopkins
Arguably the biggest trade in the NFL’s offseason came when the Texans sent three-time All-Pro wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins and a draft pick to the Arizona Cardinals for a pair of draft picks and running back David Johnson.
Who’ll fill the void?
The Texans traded with the Rams for Brandin Cooks, who has had four 1,000-yard receiving seasons in his career. Randall Cobb, who averaged 15.1 yards per catch last year with Dallas, signed as a free agent.
Returning receivers include Will Fuller, who had 670 receiving yards in 11 games, and Kenny Stills, who had 561 receiving yards in 13 games.
Chiefs fans may remember Stills:
2. New coordinators
The Texans have a pair of new coordinators: Anthony Weaver is in charge of the defense, while Tracy Smith is the special teams coach.
Former head coach Rex Ryan had high praise for Weaver.
“He’s one of the guys we’ll be talking about him as a head coach in the next few years with that kind of personality and that kind of charisma,” Ryan told Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle. “He’s smart. Anthony’s going to do a great job. I’m really excited about him.”
3. The marquee player
Expect to hear plenty on Thursday about the 2017 NFL Draft. The Chiefs traded up to select quarterback Patrick Mahomes with the 10th overall pick that year, while the Texans traded up and took Deshaun Watson with the 12th pick.
Both have become Pro Bowlers and led their teams to the playoffs the last two seasons.
Watson completed 67.3% of his passes a year ago with 26 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. He can hurt a team with his legs, having rushed for 413 yards and seven touchdowns in 2019. He also picked up a first down while rushing the ball 29 times a year ago and has done it 80 times in 38 career games.
One thing to watch: The Texans offensive line was ranked just 23rd in the NFL by Pro Football Focus.
4. Rushing attack
The Texans ranked ninth in the NFL in rushing a year ago, but leading rusher, Carlos Hyde, is now with the Seahawks.
Hyde, who ran for 1,070 yards and six touchdowns, averaged 4.4 yards per attempt for Houston. Johnson, 28, will be the main back this season. He was limited to 13 games last year because of an ankle injury.
Johnson rushed for just 345 yards, but had 1,386 yards from scrimmage in 2018 and a league-best 2,118 YFS and 20 touchdowns in 2016.
The Texans are hoping he can find that kind of success again in 2020.
5. Watt’s influence
The Texans’ rushing defense struggled a year ago, allowing 4.8 yards per carry, and ranked 25th in the NFL. They also allowed 15 runs of 20 yards or more.
Houston’s pass defense was worse, ranking 29th in the NFL (267.3 yards per game).
One big factor for the Texans (obviously) is five-time All Pro defensive end J.J. Watt, who missed eight games last season. The Battle Red Blog, which is dedicated to the Texans, noted Houston’s defense allowed 4.4 yards per play with Watt in the lineup (19th in the NFL) and 5.0 when he was out (31st).
Defensive tackle D.J. Reader is another notable departure for the Texans. He signed with the Bengals. To fill the void, Houston signed former Ravens and Eagles defensive tackle Timmy Jernigan and drafted TCU defensive tackle Ross Blacklock with the No. 40 overall pick.
