Chiefs: Facing the Texans – News, Views and Player Matchups

Chiefs: Facing the Texans – News, Views and Player Matchups – The Chiefs, 4-1, face another division leader, this time from the AFC South, the Houston Texans, 3-2. Last week the Chiefs offense was abysmal and the defense gave up supreme yardage (186 rushing yards) to fail to win at home against a lesser opponent. That game was one which brought consternation to most of us and a review of that game has been done up enough that I am moving on.

Subtractions:

• • Ryan Hunter (OT) was released outright by the Chiefs (resigned to the Practice Squad the next day)
  • Xavier Williams (DT) – moved to the IR (Ankle)

Additions:

• • Stefan Wiśniewski, IOL – PSU – 2011 2nd round pick, #48. Starting Guard for the Eagles 2017 Super Bowl team. Released by the Eagles on 08/31/2019. Solid depth inside as a Guard or Center. Can start, but new to Chiefs playbook.
  • Terrell McClain, DT – USF – 2011 3rd round pick by the Panthers #65. He has never been more than a journeyman so he is an added Depth Player due to injuries.

Position Groups and Matchups

Left Side Offensive Line Problem #1: Andrew Wylie, LOG

While I don’t think Wisniewski is an answer for the starting five, he could be an interior starter. Andrew Wylie sustained an Ankle sprain Sunday and depth on the interior is weak Wisniewski improves that situation at OG/OC.

Andrew Wylie (LOG) and his left side player mate, Cam Erving (LOT) who is starting in place of Eric Fisher, surrendered ground readily and QB Pat Mahomes suffered hits, hurries & sacks often because of mistakes in blocking assignments. Both had problems but Erving glaringly so.

Left Side Problem Number 2: Cam Erving (LOT subbing for Eric Fisher), and who is Sunday’s Starter?

I cannot tell you how disappointed I am in the play of Cam Erving. He was beaten often and right now I will certainly say that he should not be on the field of play as an NFL Starter at least at LOT. He may be better inside than outside. He is now a #3 OG for me.

Enter Stage South: Martinas Rankin

With Hunter gone, that leaves a single player acquired in a trade with the Texans and that next player is Martinas Rankin. He has no game snaps to speak of with the Chiefs, though he has starts for the Texans. He has had enough time to absorb much of the playbook and meld himself to the program. Rankin was a 3rd round pick in 2018 (80th) and showed promise. It’s difficult to think he could play worse than Cam Erving did at LT last Sunday. 

KC’s Match Up of the Day: Schwartz v Watts

The Chiefs boast a strong right side in LDT (ROG) and Mitch Schwartz (ROT). These two will have their hands full because JJ Watt (LDE), Pro Bowl DE will match up with LDT and Schwartz. Mitchell has handled JJ in prior meetings and I am comfortable with this. If Watts turns inside, I expect LDT to handle the job as well. 

Reid’s Starting 5 boasts LDT & Schwartz, but the left side?

Beyond JJ Watt, the Texans have DL Whitney Mercilus who has five sacks this year already. This does not mean the defense is going to be a patsy. JJ Watt helps the other players on defense. The remainder of the Texan Defense, such as RDE Angelo Blackson or Carlos Watkins are not playmakers. One thing the Texans do have is a big immovable object at NT — DJ Reader who weighs in at about 350. That heavy weight is required in a 3-4 but I do wish the Chiefs had at least one defender like that. However, Reader is not a “Blue Chip” rated player.

Andy Reid should use plays in his playbook that utilize a RB to chip on Rushers who get past an offensive lineman to protect the left side but being aware of Watts at the same time. 

Chiefs Offensive Talent/Playmakers

It’s another step up with the Chiefs offense versus anybody. Receivers Hill, Hardman, Watkins, Robinson and Pringle can all play and be playmakers. We are talking about a true #1 type WR in Watkins and Hill and I see Hardman as the future, taking over for Sammy in 2020 but he still needs experience. Robinson and Pringle have had breakout games but are still on the learning curve as is Hardman.

Running back? We have 3 capable starters in a very strong room with Williams, McCoy and WIlliams. All three can do the deal and exceed 4.5 YPC, all three can break any run loose for yards and they are capable of adding large chunks of yards as receivers.

The Pat Mahomes Factor

No matter what happen, week in and week out, defenses will have to counter Patrick Mahomes, a nearly impossible task but for two weeks he has battled ankle injuries. Let’s hope he went to school the past 2 weeks and handles more effectively passing to Receivers who are being man-pressed in coverage. Our WR Speed and solid routes will count “big time.” I want Pat to use his feet in calling his own number in the RPO. This will draw linebackers like flies and should leave WR’s, TE’s or a RB open underneath.

The Texans will try to duplicate what the Lions and Colts did effectively. Pat Mahomes must attack (not react) to man coverage to successfully end the copycat approach “nonsense.” Playing 1960’s and 1970’s offense does appeal to me. Reid has got to do his job with play calling. Period.

The Kelce Factor

After a week of many a mea culpa, apologies and acknowledgements that he failed against the tough man-coverage by smaller men and he let his emotions rule part of the day… Kelce will again be a huge threat. Reid needs to position Kelce to receiving where he excels. He should run routes underneath and go up the ladder to make catches or rip the seam. Back to basics.

Houston D vs Chiefs ball handling talent

If Tyreek Hill plays, the Chiefs are going to deal fits to the Texans. They still can do so without Hill, using Watkins, Robinson, Pringle, Kelce and the ball carriers have shown. Reid’s play mix must be far superior to what he did versus the Lions and Colts. Watkins hamstring healing could keep him out as well.

 Houston OLB’s, LB’s and DB’s: No Blue Chippers

The OLB’s for Houston have some talent but again, it is not the “blue” rated players and certainly are not adding to the “sack” fanatic pass rusher threat. The rest of the defense is “standard” NFL players. No blue chip notables. That doesn’t mean they are not capable. A lot will depend on the playcalling of Andy Reid. If Patrick Mahomes ankle is good to go then must be the RPO threat himself. The last two games? I would like to have seen PMII be able to use his feet more, due to the OL.

The McCoy Factor

I know, there are Damian Williams fanatics and those for Darrel but, our Blue Chip RB is LeSean McCoy. K.C. needs to use him, give him 15 snaps with the run game and up the ground game to control drives and ToP.

The Texans on Offense

On this side of the ball going against our defense are 3 players that deserve special attention.

WR DeAndre Hopkins

I don’t think there is a better all round WR in football. I truly love watching Hopkins play this game. He is always a threat, always finding ways to get open, and on broken plays he will be in exactly the right place for DeShaun Watson to deliver the ball to — moving the chains or scoring a TD. Hopkins will deal our secondary fits. FYI, he didn’t drop a pass in 2018.

DeShaun Watson Factor

DeShaun Watson is far more likely to be the future competition match for Patrick Mahomes than Lamar Jackson. He is a far more stable and developed QB. His primary target is Hopkins who makes him better. As their OL has begun to meld Watkins is improved but he was the most sacked QB in the NFL in 2018 and gets a lot of pressures. The thing about Watkins is he has the ability to create and that is a threat against any defense. 

Coutee and Carter (not a great factor)

Keke Coutee and DeAndre Carter are two Houston WRs but they are not threats like WR Will Fuller could be with his speed downfield. Watson’s will use TE Darren Fells, who is a threat, and is a decent blocker. I would grade him out as above average but not a Pro Bowler.

RB Duo: Suddenly Duke Johnson and

Carlos Hyde have found a home

RB’s Duke Johnson and Carlos Hyde began at Cleveland but, both wanted to be the feature back. Duke Johnson wanted out and left due to Hyde. Hyde didn’t get the real opportunity to start there and was released, signed in K.C. and released again… then signed with Houston. Either could be a quasi-feature back and think to themselves they should be that player. As a tandem, they can keep the pressure on, and that’s how the Texans will use them.

The Texans will try use the run game and if the Chiefs continue on their woeful ways vs the run, this will open up the aerial game for Watson-to-Hopkins. 

Chiefs Defense: the Usual Suspects

Chiefs defense up front, and linebacker play, form the “Usual Suspects. Plus, the defensive sets used by DC Steve Spagnuolo will be the way to counter the Texans run game threat. The front line has been on and off. Last game Frank Clark did well v. the run… and the pass rush wasn’t effective because he was doubled and chipped on half of his rushes. It should allow an effective pass rush from others, which is where the work is not being done.

This past week, Bashaud Breeland was awful defending aerial attacks. Meanwhile our man on the learning curve, Charvarius Ward, had a good game and he was not the problem. Fuller did nothing noteworthy but seems to get the job done. No aerial TD was allowed. Keep in mind that the run game by the Texans will include Watson. What has to happen is the secondary must take away Fuller, Coutee, and Carter, cover TE Fells as he lines up and handle front and back of Hopkins. If they do that, the secondary will be successful.

On the ground? Boy Howdy: we suck. Xavier Williams was injured and that is now a factor. 

Against the Colts, it appeared to me that the LBs were holding back or were held back very similar to what happened with Sutton. Either that or Damien Wilson is our best LB and the rest are totally inept. Oh, there is a F/A LB available right now, see Paul Pulley’s article.

The Chiefs should win this game… but what did I say about last week?

Prediction this week? Chiefs 32 Texans 26.

David Bell — ArrowheadOne

See you at noon today for Michael Travis Rose’ piece called,

“Ramblings of a Rose: Chiefs in Week 6”

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