Texans vs. Chiefs Game Preview: A Chance to Prove They Belong Among the Contenders
- Dec 20, 2024
- 3 min read
The Houston Texans travel to Arrowhead Stadium for a Week 15 showdown with the Kansas City Chiefs, a game steeped in history and playoff implications. Memories of the infamous 2019 AFC Divisional Round meltdown still linger for Texans fans. Houston built a commanding 24-0 lead, only to watch Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs storm back for a 51-31 victory. This time, the stakes are different, but the challenge remains as daunting.
For the Texans, this is an opportunity to prove they belong among the NFL’s elite by taking on the back-to-back Super Bowl champions in one of the league’s most hostile environments. Though Houston has let some winnable games slip away this season, they are playing their best football in December and aim to build momentum against one of the AFC’s best.
Meanwhile, the Chiefs are fighting to maintain their grip on the conference’s top seed, battling with the Buffalo Bills for playoff positioning. Both teams have plenty to play for in what promises to be a thrilling clash.
Injury Report
Houston Texans
Out: Cade Stover (illness), Foley Fatukasi (ankle), John Metchie III (Shoulder
Questionable: Christian Harris (ankle)
Kansas City Chiefs
Out: Chamarri Conner (concussion), D.J. Humphries (hamstring)
Playing: QB Patrick Mahomes (ankle), Jawaan Taylor (knee), Hollywood Brown (shoulder)
Storylines to Watch
Former Texans WR DeAndre Hopkins faces his former team for the first time as a Kansas City Chief
Former Texans safety Justin Reid faces his former team and former Texans defenisvne lineman Charles Omenihu adds fuel to the fire with recent comments about his time in Houston.
Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans faces Andy Reid, who coached him during his playing career with the Philadelphia Eagles.
Texans punter Tommy Townsend plays against his former team for the first time.
Keys to the Game
Offensive Keys
Grow with the New Offensive Line
Houston’s revamped offensive line, featuring Tytus Howard at left guard and rookie Blake Fisher at right tackle, showed improvement in pass protection last week. However, they face a significant test against Chris Jones, who ranks top-five in pass rush get-off speed both at edge (0.72 seconds) and defensive tackle (0.90 seconds). Jones has generated a pressure rate over 10% from both alignments and recorded all five of his sacks this season from the edge (NextGenStats).
The Texans’ interior offensive line will need to step up. Guards have allowed the second- and third-most sacks (10.5 and 9.5, respectively), and centers have surrendered seven sacks, the second-most in the NFL. Arrowhead’s deafening crowd noise will only add to the challenge.
Combat Spagnuolo’s Disguised Coverages
Chiefs defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo excels at pre- and post-snap disguises, designed to confuse quarterbacks and receivers. CJ Stroud and his wideouts must quickly identify coverage shifts post-snap. Utilizing tempo and hard counts can disrupt the Chiefs’ disguises, potentially creating opportunities for big plays.
Defensive Keys
Defend Screens and Quick Game
The Chiefs’ offense under Andy Reid thrives on screen passes to wide receivers, tight ends, and running backs. The Texans must replicate their performance from last week against Miami, where they excelled at identifying and stopping short passes. Christian Harris’ sideline-to-sideline speed will be critical in containing screens.
Exploit Matchups on the Edge
Danielle Hunter and Will Anderson Jr. are the only teammate duo in the NFL with at least 10 sacks each, combining for 136 pressures this season, 19 more than the next closest duo. Hunter, who has recorded 12 sacks and 56 pressures from the left edge (most in the NFL), will primarily face Chiefs right tackle Jawaan Taylor. While Taylor has allowed the 14th-lowest pressure rate (7.9%) among right tackles, he has surrendered seven sacks (T-7th-most). Anderson’s speed and Hunter’s power give Houston a clear edge in these matchups.
Contain Patrick Mahomes in the Scramble Drill
Mahomes’ ability to extend plays is legendary, but his high ankle sprain could limit his mobility. This season, he has scrambled for 284 yards, averaging 8.9 yards per scramble, and has generated 19 first downs (T-4th-most among quarterbacks). The Texans have struggled against scrambling quarterbacks, allowing the fifth-most yards per scramble (9.2). Keeping Mahomes in the pocket and limiting his improvisational magic will be essential.
Final Thoughts
This matchup is a defining moment for the Texans as they strive to prove they can compete with the league’s best. Arrowhead Stadium, with its roaring crowd and storied history, provides the perfect stage for Houston to demonstrate its growth under DeMeco Ryans. With both teams fighting for playoff positioning, expect a hard-fought battle that tests the Texans’ mettle.
Prediction: Texans 24 Chiefs 21
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