Kansas City Chiefs: Getting to know Houston Texans before Week 6

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Deshaun Watson #4 of the Houston Texans (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images) /

Question 8: On Sunday Night Football, the Chiefs’ offensive line got trucked by the Colts. Can you give Chiefs fans a player or two to watch out for on the Texans defense who could create some havoc?

Forsha: Besides the obvious choice in J.J. Watt, the player this season who has been playing his best football in quite some time is outside linebacker Whitney Mercilus. Taking over the role of Jadeveon Clowney after he was traded, Mercilus this season has 19 tackles, five sacks, four forced fumbles and one interception. If the Chiefs put too much focus on Watt, Mercilus will use his pass rush abilities to change the game.

Patterson: You can always say watch out for J.J. Watt but they know that. Every defense schemes for him and without Jadeveon Clowney in the attack, teams are more apt to double-down on him. However, this opened up the door for OLB Whitney Mercilus who is off to a great start. He’s already at 5.0 sacks, well on pace with the 2015 season, the best of his career where he had 12.0 sacks. He’s making a case to be the NFL Most Improved Player and there’s no doubt that he’s going to cause problems for Mahomes.

You’ll also want to keep an eye on D.J. Reader, the Texans’ nose tackle in his 4th season that continues to be relentless on the line and finds ways to wreak havoc on the QB season-after-season. Both are up for a new contract and they’re playing like they’re ready to make their mark and get paid. I’d expect them to be highly effective against the Chiefs.

Question 9: The Colts defeated the Chiefs, in part, by methodically rushing the football and milking the clock. Is that an attack you see the Texans employing? If not, what should we look for the Texans to do?

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Forsha: The Texans use a two-back running back combo of Hyde and Duke Johnson, but so far this season the Texans haven’t went to their rushing game to control the game. For the Texans to control this game they have to have a nice rushing attack where both combine to rush for over 100 yards, but they have to use their rushing game to set up what makes the Texans go and that is their passing game. If Houston wants to win they have to use more than their rushing game to do so.

Patterson: The Texans certainly have the weapons to do that but why slow down the game with these two dynamic offenses? No, they’re going to pick up the pace and we’re going to see an awesome show of offense, especially when things get into the latter stages of the game. These two QBs are going to make this quite an entertaining game!

But I could see that happening in spurts. The problem with Bill O’Brien and his clock management skills is that he doesn’t burn the clock when he needs to and milks it when the seconds needed are precious. It’s like the opposite! I think this game will be far from boring to watch though!

Question 10: Lastly, what’s your prediction for Sunday afternoon?

Patterson: It’s going to be a close game with each team scoring at least three touchdowns. [Texans kicker] Ka’imi Fairbairn will miss at least one extra point and make one field goal early in the game so I have the Texans winning 23-21 in a close, hard-fought win!

Forsha: Besides last Sunday, every Texans game has come down to the fourth quarter and that is what I see here. The Texans have a flare to make game interesting, and if they are able to keep Mahomes from completely controlling the pace of the game they will win.

Final score outcome is Houston 28, Chiefs 24

Next. KC Chiefs: 10 Likes and 10 Dislikes from Week 5 vs Indianapolis. dark

Thanks to Brian and Stephen for taking the time to answer my questions! Make sure you check out their work on House of Houston and Toro Times.

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