KC Chiefs: Five keys to victory vs Texans in Divisional Round

Number 2 – Containing Deshaun Watson

Deshaun Watson is a superstar, capable of making game-altering plays. He is not mistake-free, however, seen throughout this season, including against the Chiefs in week six in which he threw two interceptions.

However, the Wild Card game against the Bills was the perfect embodiment of who Watson is as a player; Someone who can turn a game around immediately if he gets hot. The Chiefs defense was much worse back in week six and have since found a groove, but Watson can go on a run at any moment, even if he’s down two scores.

Top-to-bottom, the Chiefs are a more talented and better coached team than the Texans are. However, Watson is the one guy that can flip the script and beat the Chiefs defense by himself. Nearly every year in the NFL playoffs, a quarterback has a run or big time play that no one saw coming, and this year it could be Watson’s turn. The Chiefs must shut that down to move on.

Just like Spagnuolo specifically blitzed Tom Brady up the middle to exploit his terrible lateral movement, he must do the opposite to contain Watson. The extremely mobile quarterback is at his best when he’s on the run, outside of the tackle box.

If the Chiefs call stunts where Jones and Clark are consistently blitzing him from the outside, funneling him in to step up in the pocket, that will force Watson to stand in and make throws. Kansas City defenders have to make sure Watson doesn’t get to scramble all day and that may require Anthony Hitchens spying him.

Watson is fully capable of beating the Chiefs all on his own, just like he did in week six. Therefore, he must be the biggest priority for the defense because of his Russell Wilson-like ability to extend the play with his feet. If the Chiefs can make him a pocket passer, their chances of winning go up immensely.