Chiefs 2022 Opponent Overview: Houston Texans

Embed from Getty Images
The Kansas City Chiefs had the entire AFC South division on their schedule this year. This upcoming Sunday, it will be the final scheduled game against a team from that division. Kansas City travels to Houston to take on a rebuilding Texans squad. Overall, this Houston franchise is arguably at least three years away from being able to compete again. The Texans are 1-11-1 on the season, currently in line to have the number one overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. Kansas City has certainly not been the sharpest against the AFC South this season. But, the Chiefs are expected to be favored by at least two scores.

More on some of the key matchups and game planning will be covered right here throughout this week. Today, we will be giving our own view of the Houston Texans entering their matchup with the Chiefs. What can Kansas City expect from their offense and defense? Let’s kick it off.

Seeing Double?

Could the Texans possibly use two quarterbacks on Sunday against the Chiefs? If they opt to do what they did last week, Houston will be using both Davis Mills and Jeff Driskel from the QB spot. Granted, Mills did more of the passing, throwing the ball 21 times, compared to Driskel’s six pass attempts last week. It has been a revolving door of who is taking the snaps as the Texans signal caller. At least in the last month or so, as Mills was benched for Kyle Allen. Two weeks of Allen was enough for the Texans to go back to Mills, while sprinkling in this lighter dose of Driskel.

If Houston does go with both Mills and Driskel against Kansas City, the Chiefs will have to be aware of the running ability of Driskel. He ran seven times for 36 yards last game. As for Mills, he is not afraid to let it rip in the intermediate or deep passing game. His decision-making can be up and down. Yet, he is anything but fearful when passing downfield. Who knows how much longer he will get that chance with the Texans. If Houston has the number one overall pick next spring, they could very well take a new quarterback with that selection.

Riding The Pierce Train?

Rookie running back Dameon Pierce appears to have been a steal in this year’s NFL draft class. For whatever reason, he was still available in the fourth round, where the Texans gobbled him up with the 107th pick. Pierce jumped out to an incredible start to the year. In five of the first six games of the season, Pierce accumulated at least 69 rushing yards or more, with his single game rushing high reaching 131 yards in that stretch. He added three rushing touchdowns, to boot.

In the last seven games, Pierce has still held a steady pace. He has registered at least 73 rushing yards or more in four of those last seven contests. Furthermore, his unique mix of short area burst, power and broken tackle ability only appears to get more well-rounded by each passing week. The only problem? Houston has hardly been able to use him with a lead. As a result, the Pierce train has not quite fully ignited. He should still finish with over 1,000 rushing yards in his rookie season, nonetheless.

This offense still has some wide receivers that offer plenty of intrigue as well. Both Brandin Cooks and Nico Collins missed last week with an injury. So, it will be interesting to see if they are able to return to play the Chiefs. On the flip side, players like Chris Moore and Amari Rodgers are hoping to build off of huge performances from last week.

Expansion-Like Defense

Embed from Getty Images
Obviously, the Texans are lacking in top-end talent across the board. There may be much less of that on the Houston defense, however. It just feels like a new expansion team on this side of the ball. In terms of adequate starters, you are largely relying on a rookie defensive back pair in Derek Stingley Jr. and Jalen Pitre. Each have had their fair share of learning curves this season, while Stingley Jr. has recently been banged up with injury. The potential of this duo is high, though it will take plenty of time before they can singlehandedly boost this defense.

Elsewhere, the Texans are relying on older, replacement level players in the front seven. Jerry Hughes has had a fine season. But, he will likely not be around before Houston is competitive again. He, Rasheem Green, Mario Addison and Maliek Collins each provide density and length upfront. At linebacker, Christian Kirksey is the man in the middle. Simply put, the Texans lack necessary range, athleticism and instincts to hang against the top offenses in the NFL.

Be on the lookout for more FPC Chiefs articles and analysis throughout this week. For more great sports and NFL content, stay tuned to Full Press Coverage.

– Braden Holecek is the Kansas City Chiefs managing editor for Full Press Coverage. He covers the NFL. Like and follow on Follow @ebearcat9//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js Follow @FPC_Chiefs//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js and Facebook.