Chiefs @ Texans - wildcard matchup discussion

[Bomm Bastic]

My sadomasochistic tendencies thought it would be fun to post a thread on the wildcard match-ups, throw out my thoughts on each game, invite debate, and use our discussion as reference in Monday's Rant. Figure we could do this for each round if we get enough forum members involved.

Soooooo....

Neither team can afford turnovers.

Expect a special teams TD from the winner.

As far as KC is concerned, I am picking them to win but it really could go either way. Both teams are strong on defense, and very strong in their secondary coverage. KC is very difficult to beat in the short, intermediate, and deep coverage. HOU obviously has JJ Watt, BUT their secondary is really good at disguising coverage which could give Alex Smith fits. Smith will not throw into tight coverage or if he is not comfortable with his read. He also won't throw from a muddied pocket...which is where Watt comes into play. KC has no one capable of slowing down the big man, very few teams do.

One option would be run a lot of read option with Watt completely unguarded or free. Seems nuts, but you can't stop him physically so why bother try? If you can freeze him for a split second, make him think before reacting that may be KC's best bet in defending him.

Texans have to find success throwing to Hopkins. The key here is Hoyer, unlike Smith, will take his deep shots to Hopkins allowing his stud receiving to play jump ball. That is where the Texans become more explosive on offense than the Chiefs.

But Andy Reid is one helluva schemer/game planner so...

KC wins if they can control game tempo via the ground game and defense.

Texans win if they Hoyer is able to move chains via Hopkins.

What say you?

[metaldude26]

I was reading something from Bill Barnwell that pointed out that teams who are good at jamming receivers and taking away the dink and dunk passing can really slow down the Chiefs.

Neither team is where they were at when they played in Week One but the Chiefs took Houston to task before the Texans snuck back into it in the fourth quarter.

Ultimately, the Chiefs are just a more complete team and I do not trust Hoyer the destroyer in the playoffs.

Lots of folks are worried about Andy Reid in the playoffs but it's not like the Texans coaching staff is beyond reproach.

[Bomm Bastic]

I was reading something from Bill Barnwell that pointed out that teams who are good at jamming receivers and taking away the dink and dunk passing can really slow down the Chiefs.

Neither team is where they were at when they played in Week One but the Chiefs took Houston to task before the Texans snuck back into it in the fourth quarter.

Ultimately, the Chiefs are just a more complete team and I do not trust Hoyer the destroyer in the playoffs.

Lots of folks are worried about Andy Reid in the playoffs but it's not like the Texans coaching staff is beyond reproach.

That makes sense, considering Smith really self-limits his >20 pass attempts and he only has Kelce and Maclin. Kelce is used as blocker more often than not too so that's another factor.

[metaldude26]

That makes sense, considering Smith really self-limits his >20 pass attempts and he only has Kelce and Maclin. Kelce is used as blocker more often than not too so that's another factor.

Is Maclin even available? I thought I heard he was out.

[Bomm Bastic]

Is Maclin even available? I thought I heard he was out.

He was back at practice yesterday so should be a go, as far as I know. Lord knows they need him.

[metaldude26]

He was back at practice yesterday so should be a go, as far as I know. Lord knows they need him.

Oh that's the truth.

[Bomm Bastic]

Oh that's the truth.

Right...lol...I ,mean where is Smith going to get his 180 passing yards per game from if Maclin is out?

[Big Ev]

Love the Chiefs. My afc pick

[Bomm Bastic]

Love the Chiefs. My afc pick

Chiefs controlling this game from the start. No contest really. When HOU has to resort to red zone trick plays in the first half that tells you all you need to know about the coaching staff's confidence in their QB and backfield.

[NoWayOut]

Will wonders never cease. Didn't know KC was capable of winning a playoff game with a QB not named Dawson or Montana.

[Bomm Bastic]

five turnovers by Hoyer helps.

[NoWayOut]

No doubt.

[metaldude26]

Hoyer the Destroyer... of his own team...