If you rewind your memory to Wild Card weekend of the NFL playoffs on January 9, you might remember a pummeling of the Houston Texans on behalf of the Kansas City Chiefs. The Chiefs won that game 30-0 behind a defense that forced four interceptions on Texans quarterback Brian Hoyer.
This time around, the Chiefs (1-0) make their way back to Houston after being victorious in Week 1 against San Diego in a record-setting fashion. After being down 21 points in the second half, Alex Smith led the Chiefs to two consecutive touchdowns to force overtime. Smith eventually ran the ball in the end zone for the game-winning score.
The Texans (1-0) also won their Week 1 match up at home, against the Chicago Bears. New Texans quarterback Brock Osweiler was impressive, especially for playing his first regular season game under third-year Houston coach Bill O'Brien. Here's some insight into Osweiler's performance in Week 1, courtesy of the Houston Press:
"Osweiler's first drive ended in an interception on a poor throw to DeAndre Hopkins. Hopkins had a chance to wrestle the ball away from the defender, but the throw was definitely behind the Texans Pro Bowl WR. After that, Osweiler was solid the rest of the way, keeping the Texans on schedule for most of the day, converting 12 of 20 third downs and checking the Texans into an audible on the go-ahead touchdown to [Will] Fuller ... Overall, Osweiler was 22 of 35 for 231 yards and two touchdowns."
It's highly unlikely that Sunday's meeting between the two will be similar to last year's blowout. Although the Chiefs won last week, they still enter this week with a multitude of questions.
In the first half against the Chargers, the Chiefs only mustered three points and surrendered 24. Had Chargers wide receiver Keenan Allen not suffered a serious leg injury, Phillip Rivers probably does just enough on offense to win the game. The Chiefs defense showed up big time, though, in the second half. They created the opportunities for the offense to make a remarkable comeback.
Moving forward in Week 2, the Chiefs offense has an opportunity against Houston to score some points against the Houston defense. Houston surrendered 344 passing yards to the Bears and Jay Cutler and 129 yards on the ground.
J.J. Watt, Jadeveon Clowney and Whitney Mercilus anchor a tough defensive front for the Texans. Free safety Andre Hal had an interception in Week 1 against Cutler, who also fumbled the ball twice in the opener.
"In addition to J.J. Watt and Jadeveon Clowney, there's also [Whitney] Mercilus who's playing just about as good up front as any of them from a pass-rushing standpoint," Smith said Wednesday. "From their front, they're really good. From a film standpoint, I pay attention to all 11 guys when looking at schemes and what everyone's doing."
In Week 1, the offensive line for Kansas City was a weak spot at times.
Spencer Ware was a dominant factor in Week 1 both on the ground and in the air. Although he did not practice Wednesday with a sprained toe, Andy Reid expects that he'll be ready to go this weekend.
It's highly unlikely that Jamaal Charles will be able to go in Sunday's game. Still recovering from a torn ACL in 2015, Charles was a limited participant in practice this week.
"Every day he [Charles] gets a little better," Andy Reid said Wednesday about Charles. "I [had] him on the scout team today ... I just want to make sure he's set there. We don't want to go through another surgery."
Kansas City can afford to live without Charles, though, which was evident by Ware's performance last week. Rookie left guard Parker Ehinger will be someone to keep an eye on for the Chiefs. Ehinger struggled mightily at times last Sunday and was by far the line's weakest link.
For Houston, J.J. Watt was a full participant in practice this week, after suffering from a back injury. Linebacker Brian Cushing has a knee injury, and his game status for Sunday is in question.
Sunday's game is set to kickoff at 12 p.m. CT at NRG Stadium in Houston and will air on CBS.
