The game is set: The Kansas City Chiefs will face the Houston Texans in the AFC Divisional Round. The Texans earned that right by beating the Los Angeles Chargers 32-12 in the Wild Card round.
In this victory, the Texans offense racked up 429 total yards, the second-highest total for Houston in any game this season. The Texans achieved this despite a season-high three turnovers.
This is one of Houston’s best overall performances this season, which includes the 27-19 loss to the Chiefs in Week 16. Analyst Caleb James will preview the Texans’ defense.
Here are three takeaways about the Texans offense heading into the divisional game:
1. The passing game is centered around Nico Collins
The Texans passing offense has dealt with major injuries this season, with the latest being wide receiver Tank Dell suffering a serious knee injury in Week 16. At this point, the only threat the team in the receiving corps is wide receiver Nico Collins. He gained 122 receiving yards against the Chargers; no other Texan has had more than 34 receiving yards.
The Texans’ best offensive plays came when Collins broke into his route, whether it was deep downfield or on a slant in the red zone that scored. He has the size to be a reliable target over the middle and the acceleration to get upfield quickly and gain yards after the catch.
This puts emphasis on the Chiefs’ backfield, particularly the safeties and linebackers who cover between the numbers. The perimeter could hold up with cornerback Trent McDuffie and possibly cornerback Jaylen Watson — if he’s healthy.
In the first meeting between these teams, the Chiefs allowed Collins 30 yards on a third down. Aside from that play, Collins produced just 30 more yards on nine other targets; one of those passes towards him was intercepted by safety Jaden Hicks over the middle.
2. Texans pass protection is vulnerable
The Chargers managed to disrupt the Texans’ passing game with an efficient pass rush. Houston quarterback CJ Stroud had three losses and was pressured 15 times, the third-most pressure a quarterback has faced in the Wild Card round. The Chargers achieved this by only blitzing on 25% of the snaps.
The Texans’ left side of pass protection looked vulnerable against LAC
Watch the LG fail to figure out the stunt – then Tunsil is overpowered inside his shoulder pic.twitter.com/MWrKCquk5d
– Ron Kopp Jr. (@Ron_Kopp) January 14, 2025
The left side of the Texans’ line looked vulnerable against the Chargers, particularly left guard Tytus Howard, a former right tackle. On one play, he failed to recover the stunted defensive end and allowed an easy sack.
Left tackle Laremy Tunsil also finished the regular season as the NFL leader in field goals among offensive tackles (19).
3. CJ Stroud uses his legs more
Stroud is known for making almost every throw from the pocket. That said, he’s mobile enough to play with his feet, and he did it more often in the Wild Card round.
Stroud had 42 rushing yards against Los Angeles, which was the third-highest mark of his career over two seasons. He moved the chains during the two-minute drill with a 27-yard run just before halftime, then took off for nine yards on third-and-10 late in the game. On the next play, a quarterback set him up for a first down.
The Chiefs defense has already been exposed to quarterback mobility. This regular season, the Chiefs have allowed the seventh-most rushing yards to quarterbacks among NFL defenses. Stroud’s willingness to extend drives with his legs will be a factor the Chiefs should be ready to defend.
