Houston Texans vs KC Chiefs: 2017 Week 5: Three things to expect

The Houston Texans look to defend their home turf on Sunday Night Football against the 4-0 Kansas City Chiefs and here are three things to expect in this match up.

The Houston Texans are riding high amid a confidence-boosting win over the Tennessee Titans last week. Can the Texans pull off a statement win and immediately be called a Super Bowl contending team?

Houston Texans Game Day: Oct. 8, 2017

Time: 7:30 p.m. CDT

TV: NBC

Radio: AM KILT Sports Radio 610, FM 100.3 The Bull, ESPN Deportes 1180 AM (KGOL)

IF YOU ARE ATTENDING THE GAME:

All parking lots will open four (4) hours prior to kickoff as with all other Texans home games.
All main stadium gates will open 90 minutes prior to kickoff.
The Houston Texans strongly encourage all fans attending to be in their seats by at least 30 minutes prior to kickoff to participate in the pregame activities and be ready for kickoff.

Intro

The Houston Texans get ready to play their 2nd straight home game of the month as they continue their tough stretch of opponents in October, but they knock down the first one in a blowout which was the Tennessee Titans. But with all due respect to the Titans, this Chiefs team is on another level and they are an opponent to be worried about.

Andy Reid has shut up his haters so far this season as his Chiefs are 4-0 and look to move to 5-0 Sunday with a win over the Texans. But moving to 5-0 isn’t gonna be so easy as the Texans are probably the best team he will face so far this season. Yes, I just said the Texans are a better team than the New England Patriots and Washington Redskins as of right now.

More from House of Houston

Speaking of the Patriots, so far it looks like 2017 will be a down year for them. Which means it’s anybody’s AFC this season. With a win Sunday, it will launch the Texans into the category of Super Bowl contenders. All I have to say is…In Watson We Trust.

Here’s the THREE keys to victory for the Texans:

1. Defense needs to set the tone

This KC offense is absolutely lights out as they are the No. 2-ranked offense in the NFL, 2nd in rushing and 12th in passing. This is where players like Jadeveon Clowney and J.J. Watt need to step up. Watt has always been known as an elite run stopper as well as pass rusher so having his presence is a huge plus for us.

However, Watt is still chasing his first sack of the year but knowing J.J., he could care less about that if the team is winning. The crowd at NRG will explode when J.J. finally gets his first sack and I’m hoping it’s on the same guy who he sacked with his helmet off in that iconic play in Texans history.

Kareem Hunt needs to be stopped at the line or close to it because he is dangerous when he’s on the open. So far he has looked like the rookie of the year. I’m a little concerned about Hunt because I think we all remember what Leonard Fournette did to us in Week 1 where we couldn’t stop his endless pursuit of racking up rushing yards. So here’s to hoping the Texans can silence Hunt and force Alex Smith to pass.

2. 3D’s: Deshaun, DeAndre and D’onta

It would be stellar if Deshaun Watson can continue his dominance and most importantly continue to build his case for rookie of the year Sunday night as he goes against the 26th ranked defense in KC. This is going to be a real big test for the rookie, like SAT/ACT big. If he can go out there and torch KC and lead us to a victory, I think the Texans might be the AFC favorites just because of him.

Remember, this isn’t Deshaun’s first time being under the really bright lights in prime time. Prime time is where Watson is shines the brightest.

Obviously he isn’t going to pass for five TD’s every week, which would be great if he did by the way. But I can see him having yet another 300-yard game with three TD’s and 50 rushing yards with an interception to boot.

DeAndre Hopkins is by far the most-targeted WR in the NFL and really lived up to his contract last week as he had 107 yards on 10 receptions with one TD. This week he will be going up against Marcus Peters and the rest of the Chiefs’ secondary.

Keep in mind, the Chiefs are without star safety — and let’s not forget — cancer survivor Eric Berry. Although he is not a Texan, he is one of my favorite players in the NFL today and it’s awesome that he beat cancer.

Anyway, Hopkins will have a tough match up considering the fact that Peters is regarded as one of the top corners in the game. I’d say because no Berry, let’s test out the deep ball to Hopkins. He’s due for one of those classic Nuk Hopkins moments.

Although Miller had a fantastic game last weekend, I still want to see more D’Onta Foreman. I’m not gonna get into this guy as much because I’m pretty much repeating myself week after week. I think against KC’s tough Front 7, we bring in the big boy and ground-and-pound for yards.

3. Keep Alex Smith in the pocket

It’s no secret Alex Smith is one of the most mobile QB’s in the NFL, so because of that I pitch this idea.

Have Zach Cunningham in a QB spy coverage so when Smith has to escape the pressure from Watt, Clowney, Whitney Mercilus and Christian Covington, he will immediately have to deal with Zach Cunningham who is Jimmy John’s fast.

If we allow Smith to run open in the free, it will be a long day for Texans defense coordinator Mike Vrabel.

Next: Texans Week 5 Injury Report Analysis

Prediction

Screw it, Watson will be amazing yet again in prime time and leads the Texans on a GAME WINNING DRIVE to beat the Kansas City Chiefs 27-24.

Go Texans!

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