Texans Wire Countdown to Chiefs: 10 factors to watch in Week 15
WHEN: 12:00 p.m. CT
WHERE: NRG Stadium, Houston, Texas
FORECAST: Mostly cloudy, 53 degrees, 12 mph winds (roof open)
FOLLOW: @therealmarklane, @bigsargesportz, @johnhcrumpler @thetexanswire
LISTEN: Sports Radio 610 [KILT-AM] and 100.3 The Bull [KLOL]
WATCH: CBS (Kevin Harlan & Trent Green)
BLUE — Kansas City at Houston
RED — Detroit at NY Jets
GREEN — Pittsburgh at Carolina
10. CB L'Jarius Sneed's pass breakups
Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports
Sneed has been an effective enough cornerback to tip away a few passes, which should make his coverage of Chris Moore and Phillip Dorsett a little more challenging.
9. Kansas City's rank for fewest interceptions
(Photo by Jamie Schwaberow/Getty Images)
The Chiefs have recorded eight interceptions, tied for the ninth-fewest in the league. If the Texans play a careful enough game, they shouldn’t have to worry too much about the Chiefs secondary coming up with takeaways.
8. TE Travis Kelce's rank for catches
Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports
Kelce has 81 receptions on the season, good for eighth-most in the NFL. The nearest tight end is T.J. Hockenson with 65. Rookie safety Jalen Pitre will have his hands full trying to keep up with the All-Pro, but it will be a decent measuring stick game for Houston’s talented defensive back.
7. Houston's rank for opponent passer rating
Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
The Texans are tied with the Buffalo Bills for the seventh-lowest opponent passer rating at 83.0. Houston’s coverage has been decent and their pass rush has found ways to get to quarterbacks. The defense just hasn’t been given the best of field position to defend.
6. DT Chris Jones' rank for sacks
Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports
Jones has 11.0 sacks, tied with Jets defensive tackle Quinnen Williams for the sixth-most in the NFL. If Jones is able to have his way against Justin McCray, it is going to be another long afternoon for the Texans.
5. Chiefs' rank for red zone conversions
Albert Cesare/The Enquirer-USA TODAY NETWORK
Kansas City converts 66.1% of their red zone trips into touchdowns, the fifth-most in the league. They also have the most red zone trips of the season with 56. If the Chiefs frequent the red zone often, it could get ugly quickly.
4. Chiefs' rank for pressure
Kareem Elgazzar-USA TODAY Sports
The Chiefs are fourth in the NFL with 130 pressures. The two quarterback system worked as Houston didn’t give up a sack in Week 14 when facing one of the elite teams at quarterback pressure. Houston will need an encore performance.
3. Rex Burkhead's yards per carry
(AP Photo/Eric Christian Smith)
Burkhead has 3.1 yards per carry, down from Dameon Pierce’s 4.3 yards per carry. If offensive coordinator Pep Hamilton believes that is an acceptable replacement for Pierce, then the run game is dead.
2. Kansas City's rank for opponent passer rating
Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports
The Chiefs defense has an opponent passer rating of 100.3, which is the second-worst in the NFL. It may be challenging with Houston’s interior offensive line and Dameon Pierce out, but the Texans may have a chance if they can protect the football.
1. QB Patrick Mahomes' rank for touchdown passes
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Mahomes has thrown 33 touchdowns, leading the entire league. The Texans defense is going up against the greatest weapon in the NFL, and will be holding on for dear life as starting cornerbacks Derek Stingley and Steven Nelson won’t be available.
