Hey guys, it’s Ari Alexander with the Texans coverage, and I’ll be in Kansas City for this one. The Texans face off against the 13-1 Chiefs, who are back to back defending Champions and arguably the best team in the NFL.
This is probably Houston’s toughest test of the season, given the short week and the shorter preparation they have to play on Wednesday.
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THE BEST
That’s the Chiefs. That’s Patrick Mahomes. Texans defensive coordinator Matt Burke describes Mahomes as “the best,” and for good reason. Mahomes has led the Chiefs to three Super Bowl wins, and in all three games the Chiefs trailed by 10.
The game isn’t over with Mahomes on the field unless the clock hits 0:00. The Texans learned that the hard way during Mahomes’ first Super Bowl run in the 2019 season, taking a 24-0 lead before blowing it in spectacular fashion.
Mahomes may not lead the league in any statistical categories (he’s 17th in QB Rating, behind Joe Flacco somehow). Mahomes may not win MVP for the third time, but everyone knows who the best quarterback and the most important player in the league is.
THE DEFENSES
The Texans and Chiefs both bring ferocious defenses into this game, which could be lower scoring than expect. The quarterback matchup will get the love, but the Chiefs won the Super Bowl with defense last season, and have been solid all year this year.
The Texans are led by two of the best pass rushers in the league and a cornerback destined for All-Pro status.
The Chiefs have Chris Jones, who will present probably the biggest problem given the Texans typically porous interior line, along with a host of other talented defenders including former Texans safety Justin Reid, who has now won two rings.
THE ATTENTION
Significantly more eyes have been on the Texans this season than last year. Fans around the country, not just in Houston, have seen some good and some bad, but are now way more familiar with players like Nico Collins and Derek Stingley, Jr.
This week, with the Texans taking on Taylor Swift’s Chiefs and a Netflix game vs. the Ravens could be the biggest audience the Texans have seen all season.
Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce are the most well known players in the league. If Taylor Swift is in attendance Saturday, the Texans will have back to back games featuring two of the world’s biggest musicians (and arguably two of the 10 most famous people in the world), between Swift and Beyonce.
Arrowhead is among the loudest stadiums in the NFL. Loud fans, road game, potentially Taylor Swift, massive audience, chance to prove themselves vs. the defending champs...a lot on the line for the Texans.
WHAT’S NEXT
Kickoff in KC! Saturday at noon right here on KPRC 2, the Texans face the Chiefs. Tune in at 10:30 a.m. for our Saturday Showdown pregame show!
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