Gametime: Sunday, October 13, 2019, at 12 p.m.
Location: Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, MO
Network: CBS
Radio (Kansas City residence): Chiefs Fox Football Radio Network KCFX (101.1)
For Week 6, the Houston Texans (3-2) go to Kansas City to face the Chiefs (4-1) this Sunday afternoon. This will be Kansas City’s sixth meeting with the Texans while under Head Coach Andy Reid, who is 4-1 against them in the last five games.
Kansas City enters this game looking to rebound from a solid defeat that was handed to them by the Indianapolis Colts. Who of which, despite not having their two starting safeties, were able to rely on man coverage and a heavy pass rush to limit the league’s second-best offense to just 13 points.
According to Kansas City’s injury report on Friday, the Chiefs will go into this week without some of their main contributors; left tackle Eric Fisher (groin), defensive tackle Chris Jones (groin), and linebacker Dorian O’Daniel (hamstring) will not play in Sunday’s game. Wide receiver Sammy Watkins (hamstring) and guard Andrew Wylie (ankle) are also doubtful and more than likely will not play either.
On a better note, defensive end Christian Okafor will return to the lineup after missing last week’s game with a bad hip but was a full participant in practice this week and is expected to play along the defensive line.
Kansas City also made a couple of roster moves this week with the additions of defensive tackle Terrell McClain and offensive guard Stefen Wisniewski. To make room for both players, Kansas City sent guard Ryan Hunter packing after an abysmal performance last week, he returned to the practice squad after clearing waivers and Xavier Williams was placed on injured reserve.
Reid was asked about the likelihood of seeing Stefen Wisniewski on the offensive line on Sunday and he said, “[Stefen Wisniewski] is capable of [playing], it’s just a matter of getting in there and learning, but he’s been in this league a long time and he’s been a starter at guard and at center, he’ll be ready if needed,” Reid explained.
Kansas City will need to be rolling on all cylinders on both sides of the ball and it starts in the trenches this week, going against a red-hot Houston team that put up 53 points last week against the Atlanta Falcons. Quarterback Deshaun Watson put on an offensive show throwing for 426 yards and 5 touchdowns on Atlanta’s defense.
Meanwhile, Patrick Mahomes surpassed Peyton Manning’s record for most passing yards without throwing an interception with 1,831 yards on the season. Mahomes threw for 321 yards and a touchdown against the Colts despite his offense being held to only 13 points.
Defensively, Kansas City will need to cover arguably the most dangerous duo in the National Football League in DeAndre Hopkins and Will Fuller.
Fuller was Watson’s top target against the Falcons last week, with 14 catches for 217 yards and 3 touchdowns. While Hopkins made 7 receptions for 88 yards.
To counter Houston passing threat, expect cornerback Morris Claiborne to be a little more involved in the defensive game plan. Defensive Coordinator Steve Spagnuolo said Claiborne should be primed for a larger snap count and may even be involved in a rotation with Bashaud Breeland and Charvarious Ward.
“I would think that would be a safe statement,” Spagnuolo said of Claiborne getting more snaps. “I mean that’s hopeful. Probably rotate all three of those guys through there would be the plan.”
Claiborne was eased back onto the field, playing only 24 snaps against the Colts after sitting out the last four games due to a suspension. Which was what he expected going in, “To my understanding, that is what the plan was,” Claiborne explained. “I don’t believe they were trying to allow me to get any more than 20 [plays], or something like that. The plan was to just come in, get a couple of series and just put something on film out there.”
Offensively, Kansas City will be getting a major addition to their arsenal this week with the return of Tyreek Hill, who will be a game-time decision after missing the last four games with a clavicle injury.
Hill underwent tests, as first reported by NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, to check the status of his shoulder on Friday and was a full participant in practice afterward.
When coach Reid was asked about Hill, he said, “He’s been out there working whether that’s with the scout team or with the guys, he kinda did a little bit of everything last week.”
When Reid was asked if Hill will play on Sunday, he left reason for optimism.
“I presume this is pure ‘how he feels’ and this isn’t a real common injury in the NFL, so we’re just trying to make sure it’s right,” Reid explained.
Personally, I believe that if Hill’s tests hadn’t gone well, he wouldn’t be a gametime decision and the fact that he is, says to me that the chances of him being out there on Sunday are high. In the end, it comes down to Hill and how feels around gametime.
Kansas City has had their woes while on defense, but the Texans have also had their woes on defense as well. Houston is the only team in the NFL right now to allow more 10-plus-yard plays than any other team. This means if the Chiefs give Mahomes enough time in the pocket, Kansas City should be able to get back on track.
Deshaun Watson is also the NFL’s most sacked quarterback so far this season with 18. Which means this could be the week Kansas City’s pass rush gets something going beginning with defensive end Frank Clark, who is getting a lot of scrutiny for his slow start to the season.
Prediction
The Chiefs trend to get back on track following a tough loss and they’re taking on a Texans team that provides some challenges but also has a few weaknesses that can be exploited. Getting Tyreek Hill back will be huge and Houston’s O-line isn’t as good as Indianapolis’ which means Kansas City’s pass rush could have the opportunity to cause trouble for Deshaun Watson. Defending the run was an issue last week but I’m not afraid of Carlos Hyde and expect Kansas City to be to stop a player that they’ll be familiar with since he attended training camp with them. I also recall Hyde having a fumbling issue when he was in Kansas City but I might be wrong on that one. The question mark is the offensive line and the Chiefs’ ability to protect Mahomes
Chiefs: 34 Texans: 31
