(Photo: Cosm)
AFC Game Of The Week
Houston Texans at Kansas City Chiefs
Texans: They were projected to take that next step and be labeled a contender in the AFC and rightfully so because they made some nice moves. Then comes the season and they got off to a fast 5-1 start, but have come back down to reality which leads me to say they are a few years away from being that contending team in the league. Last season, C.J. Stroud was the talk of the league and ran away with the Offensive Rookie of the Year, plus it helps when there’s no film on you. This year, he hasn’t been the productive Quarterback he was a year ago because there’s more tape on him. One of the glaring issues of this Houston Texans group is their Offensive Line and if they don’t improve this through free agency or the draft during the off-season, they will get their franchise Quarterback badly injured. Another problem I have with them is blowing leads and allowing the opposition to hang around, I’ve seen them play down to competition. The Offensive Line has been undisciplined and outmatched for my liking, and due to that, Both Stroud and Joe Mixon are unfortunately paying the price. Even on the other side of the football, the secondary has sometimes been exposed. Not only has it been what I just listed, it’s also been a slew of injuries they’ve dealt with from Nico Collins and Mixon each missing time, to Stefon Diggs unfortunately tearing his ACL and being out for the remainder of the year. They will win this division again without question, but moving forward in the playoffs will be a challenge. This Saturday afternoon, they will make their way to the home of the defending Super Bowl champs.
Chiefs: They’ve been good at surviving, I can give them that much. At this point, they’ve found every way imaginable to win football games. Last week, I was speaking with one of my radio colleagues and I told them that they remind me of one particular team and that’s last year’s Philadelphia Eagles. My reasoning for making this comparison is because just like that group last season, the Chiefs have found ways to win and every game has been won by single digits. There’s never been a time when they’ve looked impressive, but they got the job done. Patrick Mahomes has been widely regarded as the best Quarterback in the league for the last four or five years and deservedly so because since he came into the league, he’s been very productive and has won three Super Bowls and two league MVPs. This year, he hasn’t been that top-five guy to many, but whenever his number has been called upon, he’s answered every time his team has needed him to make a big play when it matters. This year, the Chiefs have become a physical football team that can run the ball and finish games with their defense. With the Lions losing to Buffalo on Sunday, the best record in the NFL resides in Kansas City once again. They will return home on Saturday afternoon for a showdown with the leaders of the AFC South.
Texans X-Factor: Tank Dell-lThroughout last year, this was Stroud’s top target. With Nico Collins emerging as the number one receiving option, Tank takes full advantage of any opportunity or capacity to contribute to the team. he goes over the top consistently and works underneath to make plays. Tank is a smaller Wide Receiver, but plays as if he were that possession guy. Tank would’ve recorded 1,000 yards last season if he didn’t get hurt. With Stroud, Collins, and a healthy Diggs, Tank will thrive in this offense.
Chiefs X-Factor: George Karlaftis– He’s still young and is only going to get better as the years go along. In a short period of time, George has become a central piece of the Kansas City defensive front. Under Steve Spagnuolo, you must be able to get home to the passer and he has this year. George actually leads the team in sacks with seven! He has some Brandon Graham in his game and continues to be a tone-setter for one of the best defenses in the league.
Final Thoughts: The one thing to pay attention to in this game is the status of Patrick Mahomes who injured his ankle on Sunday against the Cleveland Browns and he has been listed as week-to-week. If he does play in this game, this will be the first meeting between Stroud and Mahomes. One thing I noticed when the Chiefs played the Carolina Panthers a few weeks ago was how many plays of 20-plus yards they gave up. If Carolina can do that, what makes you think the Texans can’t? I’d be attacking as early and often as possible, and also work in space because they have struggled to tackles. The one issue I’ve noticed with the Chiefs opponents this year is when they get to the red zone, they struggle to score and only come away with three points. Touchdowns are essential when you play them. If Carson Wentz is to start for the Chiefs on Saturday, expect a heavy dose of Isiah Pacheco and Kareem Hunt, then the defense will do the rest. The Kansas City front will get home pressure Stroud and attack an offensive line that has struggled this year. I’m taking the Chiefs to survive once again.
Prediction: Chiefs 20, Texans 17
