Arrowhead Pride
The (6-6) Kansas City Chiefs will take on the (7-5) Houston Texans on GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium for a “Sunday Night Football” game that will have major playoff implications. Kickoff is set for 7:20 p.m. Arrowhead time and will be broadcast on NBC and Peacock — locally on KSHB/41. It’s the Chiefs’ sixth of seven total primetime games this season.
After a brutal loss on Thanksgiving Day to the Dallas Cowboys, the Chiefs are the 10th seed in the AFC playoff picture. The Texans are also on the outside looking in, but they have gotten hot at the right time. Houston has won four straight games coming into Arrowhead, led by one of the best defensive units in the NFL.
Temperatures at kickoffs will be in the low 20s, and this game could be shaping up to be a slugfest. Here are five things to watch:
The Houston pass rush boasts two elite edge rushers and has been the key cog in their recent string of success. Defensive end Danielle Hunter is tied for fourth in the NFL with eleven sacks, and phenom edge rusher Will Anderson Jr. is tied for sixth with 10.5.
This pair of highly talented edge rushers has been enough to give fits to teams with solid offensive tackle play, but the Chiefs will be without starters at left and right tackle: Josh Simmons and Jawaan Taylor. Simmons was placed on IR, while Taylor was ruled doubtful to play after failing to practice all week.
According to Chiefs’ head coach Andy Reid on Wednesday, Wanya Morris could start at left tackle, and Jaylon Moore at right tackle. But when asked to confirm that on Friday, Reid took a step back.
“Yeah, they’ve actually worked both sides,” said Reid. “So we’ll just make that decision when we get there.”
Due to a hectic campaign up front, both players have played in some capacity this season — but this week, they will need to turn in quality performances against the ferocious Texans’ edge-rushing combo.
The Chiefs will have backup offensive tackles starting this week, and right guard Trey Smith was ruled doubtful to play. That means backup guard Mike Caliendo will likely make his third start this year. He will be the third reserve lineman on Kansas City’s starting line against the NFL’s No. 1 defense in yards per game (266) and points allowed (16.5).
Taylor and Simmons being down limits what the Chiefs will be able to do in the downfield passing game, and how long Mahomes can remain in the pocket. The loss of Smith — arguably the team’s best run blocker — limits what they can do handing the ball off, and might force the play-calling to go away from it if there is no early success.
The team will need center Creed Humphrey and left guard Kingsley Suamataia to carry the load among a tattered unit.
