(Photo: Sportsmap)
AFC Divisional Playoff
(4) Houston Texans at (1) Kansas City Chiefs
Texans: As many did, I thought they were done in the Wild Card round. The Los Angeles Chargers were dominating at the line of scrimmage on both sides of the football and were being worn down. If any of you have followed me over the years, the one thing I’ve always said is that the team that adjusts the best will come out on top. Honestly, the play that changed the game was when the ball was snapped badly and C.J. Stroud still found a way to make something out of nothing happen and that’s when everything started to click for them. In consecutive seasons, the Houston Texans have won back-to-back playoff games and this was one of the better in-game efforts I’ve seen from them in quite some time. When both sides of the football are operating well, the team feeds off that and the Houston defense couldn’t have played any better in that win on Saturday as they intercepted Justin Herbert four times. In other words, their defense kept them in the game and that in turn helped the offense get started. I know it’s been a tough year for Stroud and many have called him out on his efforts this year which leads me to say, let me see how your Quarterback can operate without two of his top targets lastly, there’s more tape on him now after his stellar rookie season. It’s another year making it to the divisional round of the playoffs and they will have a rematch with the top seed in the AFC on Saturday afternoon.
Chiefs: I understand they haven’t looked their best at times and may not look as strong as the record implies. It was another regular season of winning the AFC West once again and locking down another number-one seed and home-field advantage in the playoffs and there’s nothing like it. I honestly think they don’t care where the playoffs start for them and we saw that last season when they played their first set of road playoff games en route to another title. While many may complain about them not looking their greatest at times during the regular season, I want to point something out to you all who are reading this. Since that Christmas Day loss to the Las Vegas Raiders in 2023, the Kansas City Chiefs have lost a total of three games during the regular season and this year they lost two, once to the Buffalo Bills, and a meaningless game against the Broncos when they rested everyone. Say what you want, but this is a good football team and they are still one of the favorites to win the entire thing once again as they look to three-peat, something that has never been done in our sport in the history of the NFL. As long as Patrick Mahomes is there, this group has a chance to compete and win football games. At this point, what happened in the regular season doesn’t even matter anymore because it’s all about the postseason and they will begin their true title defense on Saturday when they welcome the Houston Texans to town to kick off the divisional round.
Texans X-Factor: Nico Collins– You see the difference when he’s on the field for the Texans compared to when he’s not there. This is the weapon C.J. uses to stretch the field and he will be crucial if the Texans want to do the impossible and upset the two-time defending Super Bowl champs. In the last two seasons, Nico has solidified himself as an elite receiver who has recorded back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons amid injuries and has lifted this Houston offense. On Saturday against the Chargers, Nico had 7 catches for 122 yards with a touchdown. Without him, they wouldn’t have survived the Chargers. He dominated in the Wild Card round and will need to do it again.
Chiefs X-Factor: Xavier Worthy– It was a match made in heaven when the Chiefs drafted him. Anytime he has been used, Xavier has been productive and his speed is top notch which can give a defense fits during the playoffs. The Chiefs line him up in the slot, out wide and no matter where he is, they will get him the football in some capacity. Xavier has adapted to everything around him and his role within the Chiefs offense has increased since the beginning of the year. Look for the Chiefs to find many ways to get this kid the football as early and often as possible on Saturday afternoon.
Final Thoughts: These two just played a few weeks back on December 21st and it was another game the Chiefs had to grind out en route to another victory. The Texans were clicking on all cylinders in the Wide Card round against the Chargers and this will now be the second meeting between C.J. Stroud and Patrick Mahomes. I can’t say this enough that when you play the Chiefs, not only must you be perfect, but you have to play perfect football which means no turning the ball over on them, controlling the clock, and most importantly, coming away with six points when the opportunity presents itself because field goals will not beat this football team. That’s the game plan for the Texans this Saturday. How will the Chiefs come out? Rest can be mistaken for rust so don’t be surprised to see them a little flat early on. This Kansas City defense must eliminate Collins and dare Stroud to look elsewhere to beat them and continue to throw Stroud off his spots, mess with his timing, and force him to hesitate on his throws. It’s another playoff appearance for Mahomes and company. The Chiefs will advance to another AFC Championship game with a win on Saturday.
Prediction: Chiefs 27, Texans 14
