Laddie Morse
You might notice that the feature image has two running backs instead of two QBs, which is the normal procedure here at ArrowheadOne. That’s not because I’m predicting that QB Patrick Mahomes won’t go off in this game (I still think he has another 300+ yards passing day), but I do think the running game will play a larger part in the game plan. For both teams. The Houston Texans starting RB Dameon Pierce may be on their Injured Reserve list (which requires that players on the IR sit out at least four weeks)…
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ClutchPoints.com said this about RB Dameon Pierce:
“Pierce suffered a notable ankle injury during the fourth quarter of the Texans’ Week 14 road loss to the Dallas Cowboys. While Pierce did limp off the field after sustaining the ailment, he taped up his ankle and later returned to the game. However, Texans head coach Lovie Smith later decided that it was best to rule out the rookie running back for the remainder of the contest.”
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Although the Texans may be 30th in rushing, they are also 30th in passing. Consequently, I expect the Texans to run the ball in an effort to control the game clock. That means we should see much more of their RB#2, Rex Burkhead (pictured on the right in the Feature Graphic).
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A Platoon System
Rarely does a head coach try to use more than one QB in a game — unless QB #1 gets hurt — but that’s exactly what Lovie Smith, Houston’s HC, did last week vs. the Cowboys. Davis Mills threw 21 passes vs Dallas and Jeff Driskel threw 6 passes. The main difference between the two was that Driskel ran the ball for 36 yards and was their 2nd best rusher. Some of the Texans plays were designed for Driskel to run and some were RPOs. Prior to last Sunday, Driskel played on only 4 snaps this year but against the Cowboys, he was in on 50% of his team’s offensive plays. It’s hard to tell if Lovie Smith has lost faith in starter Davis Mills or if Smith was just doing whatever it takes to pull out a win. 1-11-1 coaches will do that kind of thing.
I’m going with the ladder reasoning, and also think that Lovie Smith will do that same thing today vs the Chiefs. Consequently, I not only expect to see two different QBs in the game playing two very different styles, but the same — platooning system — will likely be true at RB. That means the Texans will likely employ both their 2nd and 3rd string RBs: Dare Ogunbowale and Royce Freeman. Ogunbowale has 27 rushing yards this season and Freeman has 169.
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WRs Down
While the Texans have both of their starting wide receivers OUT for this game — Brandin Cooks and Nico Collins — the Chiefs may still have WRs, Mecole Hardman and Kadarius Toney, sitting as well. It looks like Hardman is a no-go while Toney remains a possibility:
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Late Note: KSHB Channel 41 News is reporting that WR Kadarius Toney will play vs the Texans today.
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With Travis Kelce, JuJu Smith-Schuster, MVS, Justin Watson, and Skyy Moore all still ready to bounce, the Chiefs should have no problems running their schemes and scripts. Remember, HC Andy Reid likes to pre-script 15 offensive plays and he learns a great deal about the other team by doing so.
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Referee Assignment
The crew of Carl Cheffers has been assigned to referee the Chiefs game vs the Texans today. Charles Goldman of ChiefsWire.com shares this about this assignment:
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“This is the second time that the Chiefs have drawn Cheffers and his crew this season, with the first occurrence coming back in Week 5’s “Monday Night Football” tilt with the Las Vegas Raiders. That game included a controversial roughing the passer penalty called against DT Chris Jones. The Arrowhead Stadium crowd booed Cheffers and turned on the officiating crew.”
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This following tweet also had me laughing…
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All we can do now if hope and pray that Carl Cheffers is not mandated — from on high — to make sure the Texans win this one.
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NRG Stadium Weather Report
It looks like another beautiful day for football in Houston to afternoon.
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NRG Stadium Retractable Roof Policy
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“NFL Retractable Roof Policy
The Texans are required to follow all NFL policies in effect for retractable roof stadiums. In accordance with NFL policy, the following guidelines must be followed:
• The roof can only be closed during the game if rain or other hazardous weather conditions develop or are anticipated. The only exception is that the roof will not be closed for rain in the last five minutes of the fourth quarter, or prior to or during any overtime period.
• If the roof is closed at the start of the game or during the game, it cannot be opened for the remainder of the game.
• If the decision is made to open the roof, the roof must be open no later than the time that the teams take the field for pre-game warm-ups.”
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Chiefs Schedule
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Finalizing
By all accounts, the Kansas City Chiefs should come out victorious in this game and win going away. However, we’ve been witness to some very close calls, and who can forget the Colts debacle in Indy. 6 out of 8 sports writers at CBS are picking the Chiefs… which of course means, that two are picking the Texans. If K.C. gets an early lead, I predict the Chiefs will win by a 30-something score to teens-something. If the Chiefs don’t get an early lead… it’s going to be another “time for copious heart meds” game.
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Laddie Morse — ArrowheadOne
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