The Houston Texans and the Kansas City Chiefs get ready for a Week 6 rematch in the AFC divisional playoffs. What has changed since Oct. 13? What has stayed the same? Charles Goldman, managing editor of the Chiefs Wire, returns to help preview the playoff matchup.
Texans Wire: How relieved are the Chiefs that they got that bye?
Charles Goldman: They were elated. Andy Reid, of course, has a tremendous record with extra time to prepare for an opponent. On top of that, this team has faced significant injury-related adversity throughout the entire season. Just having that extra time to rest and heal for this matchup will pay dividends.
TW: How much optimism is there in Kansas City now that the Patriots are done for?
CG: This team is playing with a lot of confidence right now. On both the offensive and defensive side of the ball, everyone feels like they can beat any team in any situation. I don’t think that it would have made much of a difference, beyond national media chatter, if the Chiefs faced the Bills, Patriots or Texans in the divisional round. Each opponent poses its own unique challenges and I don’t think you’ll find Kansas City underrating any of them just because they aren’t the Patriots.
TW: What’s changed for the Chiefs since Week 6?
CG: The six starters that were missing against the Texans in Week 6 are slated to play. That list includes:
- DT Chris Jones
- LT Eric Fisher
- WR Sammy Watkins
- LB Anthony Hitchens
- LG Andrew Wylie
- DB Kendall Fuller
The defense, in general, is playing like a completely different unit. They’re giving up nearly 50-yards less per game rushing. They’re limiting explosive plays, creating turnovers and they’re rushing the passer successfully. This is basically the group that fans wished they had during the 2018 playoff run. They’ve become a reason the Chiefs win games and not a reason the Chiefs lose games.
TW: Has Mecole Hardman lived up to expectations or is he exceeding them?
CG: I think he’s certainly exceeded all expectations. Hardman has been hyper-productive in the Chiefs’ offense with limited opportunities. He finished the regular season with 26 receptions for 526 yards and six touchdowns. He had the most yards per reception of any receiver in the NFL with 25 or more receptions. He’s also proven to be an explosive player on special teams for Kansas City. Hardman has shown great maturity in his rookie season and I’d expect the Chiefs to trust him with a larger role during the playoffs.
TW: If the Chiefs lose, how much of a letdown will it be?
CG: It’ll be a soul-crushing letdown were Kansas City to lose this game. This franchise and fan base are desperate to get to and win a Super Bowl. This season feels like their best shot at it in many decades. QB Patrick Mahomes will help the Chiefs compete for a long time, but the window to do so under the current structure is closing. Either this offseason or the next, Mahomes will become the highest-paid quarterback in the history of the league. That’ll make it extremely tough for the team to continue to keep such a stellar group of players around him.
TW: Could Andy Reid have had the same amount of success or perhaps more with Deshaun Watson?
CG: Andy Reid has won games with Jeff Garcia, Kevin Kolb and A.J. Feeley at quarterback. Just this season he coached Chiefs current backup Matt Moore to a 1-1 record after he had spent the entire 2018 season in retirement. I have no doubt in my mind that Reid could coach Deshaun Watson and find equal or greater success. In fact, he could probably coach one of us up enough to win a game or two.
TW: what’s your prediction? any bold predictions?
CG: I’ll stick with the prediction I went with for USA Today Sports Weekly: The Chiefs win 35-30 in a game that features some great offensive and defensive play for both teams.
As for my bold prediction — I feel like Andy Reid and the Chiefs won’t hold anything back this week. He’s seemed tentative to use his most creative plays in all but one game this season, which was Week 14 vs. New England Patriots. The plays in Reid’s playbook that are labeled “in case of emergency break glass” will be available.
