Chiefs-Texans Week 15 preview: 5 things to watch as KC takes on Houston

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After two divisional video games that ended as victories, the (10-3) Kansas City Chiefs have put themselves ready to clinch the AFC West this weekend with a win over the (1-11-1) Houston Texans. The Chiefs entered the weekend as 14-point favorites, according to DraftKings SportsBook.

The historic seventh straight division championship would are available in a matchup that has some historical past itself: the Texans had been the opponent that the Chiefs got here again from 24-0 defeat within the 2019 playoffs — and Houston was the place the 2015 Chiefs snapped a 22-year streak of playoff losses.

It would even be a cool second for quarterback Patrick Mahomes, beginning a sport in his dwelling state for the primary time in his NFL profession.

I’ve 5 issues we may see after Sunday’s Midday kickoff:

1. An entire sport

Whereas there are nonetheless 4 video games left within the common season, not one of the remaining opponents will present the identical degree of problem that Kansas Metropolis will face within the playoffs.

In Week 14, the Chiefs took a 27-0 lead over an inferior opponent — however then, within the second half, they allowed the lowly Denver Broncos to return inside a landing of successful. It’s comprehensible to let off the gasoline pedal in opposition to a poor staff, however the Chiefs will proceed to face these situations within the common season — together with in opposition to Houston on Sunday.

If the sport feels in management, Kansas Metropolis will nonetheless have to see it all through. The staff can’t get snug coasting to the end. In any other case, that would leak into the way it performs in comparable conditions through the postseason.

That doesn’t should imply throwing plenty of passes or blitzing aggressively. As an alternative, it’s about persevering with to execute play calls at a excessive degree — to not point out fewer bone-headed interceptions and a greater second-half defensive effort.

2. Manufacturing from edge rushers

One of many few mismatches that may favor Houston on Sunday is in a real move set when their offensive tackles are going through the Chiefs’ conventional defensive ends.

Frank Clark, Carlos Dunlap and George Karlaftis have scratched and clawed their solution to combine for 11.5 sacks. Nothing has come simple for them. So any pass-rushing manufacturing they’ll present might be a constructive.

However at offensive sort out, the Texans boast one of many league’s most formidable duos: left sort out Laremy Tunsil and proper sort out Tytus Howard. Every has allowed only one sack this season. Houston can be anticipated to make use of two quarterbacks, which can assist hold the protection guessing about working or passing conditions. That can give Kansas Metropolis’s move rushers fewer alternatives to pin their ears again and go.

If the Chiefs’ edge rushers can discover success, it gained’t be they had been going through a staff with just one win on the season.

3. Orlando Brown Jr. versus Jerry Hughes

In the meantime, the Chiefs’ offensive tackles have been a curler coaster in move safety — however one which has been pretty predictable. Left sort out Orlando Brown Jr.’s struggles normally come in opposition to edge rushers that may fly upfield shortly — or get low and switch the nook cleanly.

These are the strengths of Houston’s main sack man: veteran Jerry Hughes. Similar to he has all through his 13-year profession, his compact body combines with nice burst to tuck underneath the arms of offensive tackles and squeeze into the pocket. Will probably be a superb problem for Brown — one that may hopefully refine his pass-protection expertise earlier than the playoffs.

When the Chiefs want to attain, you’ll seemingly see chip assist when Hughes aligns in opposition to Brown — but when the rating will get extra snug, leaving him on an island with Hughes could be a solution to problem him a couple of extra instances because the staff gears up for the postseason.

4. Forcing turnovers

Talking of issues to enhance on earlier than the playoffs, the Chiefs’ protection must discover a solution to create extra turnovers. Proper now, it’s the principle distinction between this staff and people of different latest seasons. The staff’s minus-5 turnover margin is the lowest mark since head coach Andy Reid arrived in 2013.

Whereas that statistic can converse each to forcing turnovers and giving them up, Kansas Metropolis’s greatest issue is how few turnovers the protection is creating. Within the earlier 4 seasons with Mahomes because the starter, the Chiefs’ protection pressured at the very least 22 turnovers annually. In 2021, they forced 29. This season, Kansas Metropolis has forced only 14.

The Texans have committed 22 turnovers this season, which is the league’s second-highest whole. Kansas Metropolis’s protection wants to make use of this sport as a confidence booster, serving to it to begin making extra performs down the stretch. An interception or a pressured fumble could be a pleasant factor to see on Sunday.

5. Leaning on the two-man backfield

In latest video games, the Chiefs appeared to have discovered the suitable method to make use of working backs Isiah Pacheco and Jerick McKinnon. The previous has the fifth-most rushing yards by an NFL running back since Week 10, whereas the opposite racked up 112 receiving yards and two touchdowns in Denver final week.

Whenever you mix this momentum with the run blocking of the Kansas Metropolis offensive line, it provides as much as a unit that ought to proceed leaning on its two working backs to get the job carried out — particularly because it nonetheless awaits the return of broad receivers Mecole Hardman and Kadarius Toney. Toney was a restricted participant in observe all week and was officially listed as questionable to play.

The primary factor is to maintain feeding Pacheco in opposition to a Houston protection that allows 4.8 yards per carry as a team. Pacheco appears to get higher with each carry he will get. This matchup ought to be a protracted (and fruitful) lesson.

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