Chiefs vs Texans
Posted: Mon Jan 04, 2016 6:55 pm
Houston's defense is 10x better than that atrocity they had on the field in week 1 against KC. Rahim Moore sucked, Vince Wilfork is being rotated more often, and Andre Hal is one of the best young safeties in the league since replacing Moore. Travis Kelce needs to be accounted for and I think Houston has the scheme and personnel to hold him to a modest performance this time. Maclin is an issue as well, but Jonathon Joseph and Kevin Johnson have the skills to keep him in check, so it comes down to Alex Smith's mobility and extending plays with his legs. Texans struggle with QBs who can scramble as we witnessed with Tyrod Taylor in week 15 against Buffalo, but that was with one handed JJ Watt. The run defense of the Texans is much improved as well because their safeties have a nose for the ball and the Rookie McKinney improved quite a bit throughout the season as well as JaDeveon Clowney. With those two on the field late in the season, opponents struggled to establish the run. Clowney is hurt and his status is unknown for the Wildcard, but most likely he will play. Whitney Mercilus is the x-factor when it comes to containing Alex Smith. If he can feed off the momentum of his 4 sack performance yesterday, then the Texans have the ability to bottle up the Chiefs offense for minimal to moderate success. They are confident as they've held their opponents to 22 points over the past three weeks combined; albeit against inferior competition.
On offense, the Texans are inconsistent, have a QB who can't handle constant pressure in his face, and lack a feature running back. What they do have going for them is Alfred Blue running for over 100 yards the last two out of three weeks, Akeem Hunt being a great change of pace back in special play packages, and Jonathan Grimes & Chris Polk to offer a little bit of everything you want in a running back. Hunt has come on strong lately with his speed and quickness which has helped give Bill O'Brien some versatility in his play calling and also gives the Texans a real pass receiving threat out of the backfield with him and Grimes in the game. It's opened things up for this offense, but again, it all depends on the pressure Hoyer faces. Losing Pro-bowl LT Duane Brown yesterday and for the playoffs plays favorably into the Chiefs' pass rush and they have one of the best in the league. The Chiefs are aggressive in the secondary and are a very opportunistic defense. Marcus Peters is having a good rookie season with those gaudy interception #s (8), but he's also been burned for 7 touchdowns (4th worst among all corners) so he can be caught cheating and pay the price. Seth Smith most likely gets the Nuk assignment with some help from Eric Berry when needed. Houston doesn't really have a threat at TE, so someone needs to step up and make plays for this offense because KC isn't going to give the Texans much to play with. Nate Washington HAS to catch those 50-50 balls, and Jalen Strong needs to continue his improvement in his route running and playmaking abilities. Other than that, I just don't see Houston lighting up the scoreboard.
It'll come down to whoever takes care of the ball and finishes the few successful drives with TDs. On paper KC looks to be the better team by a slim margin, but home field playoff game at NRG tips the scales slightly in Houston's favor.
16-13 Houston
On offense, the Texans are inconsistent, have a QB who can't handle constant pressure in his face, and lack a feature running back. What they do have going for them is Alfred Blue running for over 100 yards the last two out of three weeks, Akeem Hunt being a great change of pace back in special play packages, and Jonathan Grimes & Chris Polk to offer a little bit of everything you want in a running back. Hunt has come on strong lately with his speed and quickness which has helped give Bill O'Brien some versatility in his play calling and also gives the Texans a real pass receiving threat out of the backfield with him and Grimes in the game. It's opened things up for this offense, but again, it all depends on the pressure Hoyer faces. Losing Pro-bowl LT Duane Brown yesterday and for the playoffs plays favorably into the Chiefs' pass rush and they have one of the best in the league. The Chiefs are aggressive in the secondary and are a very opportunistic defense. Marcus Peters is having a good rookie season with those gaudy interception #s (8), but he's also been burned for 7 touchdowns (4th worst among all corners) so he can be caught cheating and pay the price. Seth Smith most likely gets the Nuk assignment with some help from Eric Berry when needed. Houston doesn't really have a threat at TE, so someone needs to step up and make plays for this offense because KC isn't going to give the Texans much to play with. Nate Washington HAS to catch those 50-50 balls, and Jalen Strong needs to continue his improvement in his route running and playmaking abilities. Other than that, I just don't see Houston lighting up the scoreboard.
It'll come down to whoever takes care of the ball and finishes the few successful drives with TDs. On paper KC looks to be the better team by a slim margin, but home field playoff game at NRG tips the scales slightly in Houston's favor.
16-13 Houston