Arrowhead Pride
Texans +3.5: “We know Houston is the No. 1 scoring defense and in total yards allowed, which will give K.C. headaches. What you might not know is that the Texans are an ideal matchup to nullify Patrick Mahomes‘ improvisation. Mahomes leads the NFL in passing yards outside of the pocket (73.4 per game), while the Texans are giving up the fewest passing yards per game (11.0) on throws outside of the pocket. For reference, this Houston defense held the Josh Allen-led Bills offense to just three total yards on his nine plays outside the pocket back in Week 11. With C.J. Stroud back under center, the Texans have the capabilities to put enough points on the board offensively, as the defense bottles up the Chiefs’ offense en route to an upset.” — CBS Sports NFL writer Tyler Sullivan on why he likes Houston to upset the Chiefs on Sunday night.
Key Matchups, Predictions for Bengals-Bills and More NFL Week 14 Games | SI
Key matchup: Patrick Mahomes vs. Will Anderson Jr. and Danielle Hunter
Key stat: Anderson and Hunter have a combined 21.5 sacks.
Date, Time, TV: 8:20 p.m. ET Sunday, NBC
The Chiefs are in a virtual do-or-die situation. Enter Patrick Mahomes.
Nothing is going well for Kansas City. It has lost three of its past four games, both starting tackles are hurt, and now the Chiefs are facing a red-hot Texans squad, winners of four straight, featuring the best edge duo in the league in Will Anderson Jr. and Danielle Hunter. Not ideal.
And yet, Kansas City has the one man who may prove capable of turning things around. In Mahomes, the Chiefs have the quarterback not only second in overall EPA, but first in EPA under pressure at -18.7 and -0.04 per dropback. In essence, Mahomes is a machine when not under pressure, evidenced by his +113.1 EPA, fourth-best in football. But when under pressure, nobody has been better.
NFL Week 14 roundtable: Bears-Packers revival, Eagles OC under fire, AFC South drama | The Athletic
Texans-Chiefs highlights Sunday night. Which team’s postseason chances are we more confident in right now and why?
Keefer: I’m taking Houston here, and it wasn’t a difficult decision. Have you seen this defense? It’s menacing at all three levels, and Will Anderson Jr. would be getting more Defensive Player of the Year chatter if it wasn’t for Myles Garrett’s historic season. My bet is the Chiefs’ offense won’t be able to move the ball consistently against a Texans defense that has allowed 20 points just twice this season. Houston stays hot. KC’s playoff hopes fade.
Howe: The Texans have five wins against teams that are in the playoff field, which is noteworthy because none of the seven AFC playoff teams has more than...
