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KC Chiefs: Sizing Up Every Opponent in AFC Playoffs

By Leigh Oleszczak

New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) huddles with teammates - Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) huddles with teammates - Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports /
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Houston Texans running back Lamar Miller (26) celebrates with tackle Duane Brown (76) after scoring a touchdown. The KC Chiefs could face the Texans in either the Divisional Round or Championship Game – Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Houston Texans running back Lamar Miller (26) celebrates with tackle Duane Brown (76) after scoring a touchdown. The KC Chiefs could face the Texans in either the Divisional Round or Championship Game – Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports /

Houston Texans (9-7) (Four-Seed)

First match-up: Vs Raiders in Wild Card Round

Why is the AFC South still a thing? Seriously. This is the second straight season that they’ve sent a 9-7 team to the playoffs and it’s once again the underachieving Houston Texans.

Now let it be known that yes, I’m aware the Texans beat Kansas City in week two of the regular season, but both of these teams were very different then.

First of all, Houston still had J.J. Watt and a mostly healthy defense. That was the difference maker in that game for sure. Second, the Chiefs defense was just starting to get warmed up in that one. Third, Brock Osweiler wasn’t completely terrible yet.

The Chiefs and Texans have a chance to meet in the playoffs, but Houston would have to beat the Raiders in the Wild Card Round and the Dolphins would have to beat Pittsburgh. That’d then mean the Texans would travel to Arrowhead for a Divisional Round match-up with the Chiefs.

The Chiefs and Texans have a chance to meet in the playoffs, but Houston would have to beat the Raiders in the Wild Card Round and the Dolphins would have to beat Pittsburgh.

The two could also see each other in the AFC Championship Game, but Houston would have to beat New England on the road, and that is definitely not happening. Not with Brock Osweiler throwing picks right and left and ignoring his best target in DeAndre Hopkins.

While I think the Texans will beat Oakland in the Wild Card Round, it won’t be because of Osweiler having a great game. It’ll be because their defense is better than Oakland’s defense and that wins close games in the end.

I give the Texans credit for trying to build their offense this offseason. Bill O’Brien saw how having a bad quarterback killed them in the playoffs last year (30-0 anyone?) so he went out and got Brock Osweiler and added to their run game by signing Lamar Miller. He was trying to make this offense a force to be reckoned with, but Osweiler just hasn’t panned out.

Perhaps next season the AFC South will be a more compelling division, but for the time being, yawn. Watching Connor Cook and Brock Osweiler duel in the Wild Card round is going to be atrocious, but I’ll more than likely still watch because, you know… I love football.

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