The Chiefs offense has not be prolific this season, however quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) nonetheless has been clutch.
(Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Occasions)
Saturday, 1:30 p.m. TV: Channel 7 (ABC), ESPN, ESPN+, ESPN Deportes
Line: Chiefs by 8½. Over/Below: 41½.
How the Texans can win: As with the Rams, they’re an indoor workforce taking part in within the chilly and on home cash, to allow them to embrace some danger. The Chiefs have needed to reshuffle their offensive line, together with at left sort out, in order that could possibly be a vulnerability. That’s prompted the run sport to fade and compelled Patrick Mahomes to lean extra right into a nickel-and-dime method. Usually, Steve Spagnuolo’s defenses don’t surrender large performs, however the Chiefs haven’t been nice about that this season.
How the Chiefs can win: Give Andy Reid further time to plot a method, and his groups are scary. The Chiefs know simply what to do in January video games — examine their trophy case. Defensively, they should put the clamps on receiver Nico Collins, extra of a menace now that the Texans have misplaced Tank Dell (injured within the Week 16 sport in opposition to Kansas Metropolis). Mahomes is the important thing, after all, and there’s no one higher in terms of getting out of the pocket and creating large performs together with his arm and legs.
Decide: The Chiefs haven’t been an offensive powerhouse this season, however they’re nice at doing what they should on the proper time. It’s going to be chilly. It’s going to be loud. Reid goes to have his workforce prepared, and Mahomes goes to do what he must do to win. Chiefs 27, Texans 20
