Houston Texans

NFL Week Two Preview: Kansas City Chiefs vs. Houston Texans

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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Sep 13, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce (87) celebrates with quarterback Alex Smith (11) after catching a touchdown pass against the Houston Texans during the first quarter at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

Going back to last season, head coach Andy Reid and his Kansas City squad called NRG Stadium in Houston their home away from home. The Chiefs defeated the Texans twice last season, in the 2015 season opener and the 2015 Wild Card Game, by a score of 57-20. The postseason contest between the two teams was the result of a 30-0 shutout victory by the Chiefs which opened the door to a lot that occurred for the Texans this offseason.

Texans head coach Bill O’Brien places his offense in the hands of former Denver Broncos quarterback Brock Osweiler. While the Texans have a potential long-term quarterback in Osweiler, the team still has the services of the immensely talented J.J. Watt at defensive end. The Chiefs themselves have a number of defensive talent and are coming off a comeback victory over divisional foe, San Diego Chargers, last week.

It’s a battle of two 1-0 teams, with considerable playoff expectations. Here is the preview of the Kansas City Chiefs on the road against the Houston Texans in week two of the 2016 season.

Jan 9, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Marcus Peters (22) returns an interception against Houston Texans wide receiver Nate Washington (85) during the second quarter in a AFC Wild Card playoff football game at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports

Why Kansas City May Win

If the Chiefs are to walk away 2-0, it will more than likely be on the shoulders of their defense for the bulk of the carrying. A game within the game will be Chiefs corner Marcus Peters going head-to-head against Texans wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins. Peters is one of those second-tier corners in the NFL behind your Richard Shermans and your Patrick Petersons but it won’t be long until Peters is in the same category. Safety Eric Berry provides another difference maker on the back for Kansas City.

Where the defense make their biggest impact arguably is in the front seven. Although they gave up 155 rushing yards to the Chargers last week, the unit only allowed 98.2 rushing yards per game last season. Nose tackle Dontari Poe and defensive end Allen Bailey are two starters that provide run plugs for the defense and also allow veteran linebacker Derrick Johnson to roam loosely and rack up tackles.

On offense, the unit is a medical ward at this point with two starters on the offensive line (guards Parker Ehringer and Laurent Duvernay-Tarnif) will more than likely be out due to injuries and the team is already dealing with not having running back Jamaal Charles in the lineup due to his recovery from ACL surgery this offseason. Quarterback back Alex Smith has swelling in the throwing elbow but he also has the services of #1 receiver Jeremy Maclin and tight end Travis Kelce. As for the running game, Spencer Ware is the primary back with Charcandrick West as his backup. Ware’s 199 all-purpose yards last week was key for an offense that struggled to find its footing.

Sep 11, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Texans quarterback Brock Osweiler (17) hands off to running back Lamar Miller (26) during the game against the Chicago Bears at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

Why Houston May Win

Osweiler was steady last week against the Chicago Bears, throwing for 231 yards and two touchdowns while hitting 63% of his passes. With a potential lethal arsenal at receiver, Osweiler will be called upon to deliver a little more this week, even against a skilled Kansas City secondary. His #1 target Hopkins was third in the NFL last season in receptions (111), yards (1,521) and seventh in touchdowns (11). He may see more one-on-one coverages this season thanks to rookie speedster Will Fuller, who led the team with five catches, 107 yards, and a touchdown last week.

Picking up running back Lamar Miller gave the team a reliable rusher and it showed last week with 106 tough yards on the ground behind a line that will truly get a test this week.

Even though Watt is not 100% due to a bad back, an 85% Watt is still probably capable of registering 12 sacks, two touchdown receptions and probably set the record for most kittens saved in a season by a defensive end. As long as Watt suits up, he is a threat. The team will look to get more out 2014 1st overall pick Jadaveon Clowney, who gained a sack last week over the Bears. The tandem at corner in Johnathan Joseph and Kareem Jackson are about as steady as ice water on a summer day and helped limit Maclin to 81 total receiving yards in both games combined against the Chiefs last season.

Sep 11, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt (99) in action during the game against the Chicago Bears at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

Prediction

The absence of an NFL reliable quarterback last season played a major hand in the Texans posing very little of a threat against the Chiefs. Now they may have something in Osweiler but he will get tested with a Pro Bowl safety in Berry and a dangerous corner in Peters lurking.

The injuries on the interior offensive line for Kansas City smells like blood in the water for Houston’s defense, especially with massive Vince Wilfork as the anchor at nose tackle for the Texans. More than likely, the biggest X-factor in the entire game is the run element for Kansas City. Ware and West are capable of shouldering the load and can limit possessions for Houston’s offense.

Where the game is won is Houston’s ability to attack Kansas City’s offensive line. Houston defensive coordinator Romeo Crennel will be licking his chops prior to the game and Houston will get redemption for their pair of losses to Kansas City last season.

Prediction: Texans, 27-17