KChiefsQT
11-17-2005, 03:15 PM
Chiefs scouting report
By Kris Krikes
HoustonTexans.com
The Texans have faced one of the toughest schedules in the NFL through the first nine games of the season. They’ve played six teams with winning records (54-27), and the New England Patriots (5-4) are the only other team to have faced opponents with at least 50 combined wins.
It won't get any easier for the Texans this weekend when they host the Kansas City Chiefs (5-4) on ESPN Sunday Night Football at Reliant Stadium. The Texans and Chiefs are tied in the previous two matchups, with the road team winning each contest.
Currently the Chiefs are knotted up with the San Diego Chargers for second place in the AFC West, and a win in Houston is crucial if they want to remain in playoff contention. The Texans are looking for their first-ever home win over the Chiefs.
Like the Texans, the Chiefs have suffered some critical injuries this season, and are coming off a disappointing 14-3 loss to the Buffalo Bills at Ralph Wilson Stadium last Sunday.
On the run: The Chiefs’ offense could pose some problems for the Texans’ last-ranked run defense. Kansas City has the seventh-best run offense (ninth overall) in the league, and running back Larry Johnson is coming off a 132 yard game against the Bills, who have the league’s second-worst run defense.
After sharing most of the carries with running back Priest Holmes (who was placed on IR earlier this week with head and neck injuries), Johnson now bears the Chiefs' rushing responsibilities.
Johnson is the ninth-leading rusher in the AFC with 638 yards on 124 carries (5.1 avg.) and his six touchdowns tie with Holmes’ to lead the team. The third-year back also adds 14 catches for 161 yards (11.5 avg.).
The Texans have allowed six 100-yard rushers in nine games. Johnson surely will be a big part of the Chiefs’ offensive attack this weekend.
Trouble in Buffalo: Quarterback Trent Green had an uncharacteristically sloppy performance against the Bills, completing only 23-of-40 for 220 yards and three interceptions.
He’d only thrown three picks through the previous eight games. Green’s 41.7 passer rating was his worst since 2001 when he had a 35.5 rating against the New York Jets. The Chiefs lost despite generating more yards (316 to 209) and more first downs (22 to nine) than the Bills.
Kansas City couldn’t create any big plays and turned the ball over too much against a hungry Bills' defense. But look for Green to refocus this Sunday.
Supreme experience: After a slow first half of the season, six-time Pro Bowl tight end Tony Gonzalez has rebounded in the past four games. He leads the team with 45 catches for 457 yards, but has scored only one touchdown (he’s scored six or more in each of the past six seasons).
Last week, Gonzalez's eight catches for 81 yards helped him bypass wide receiver Otis Taylor for the most receiving yards in Kansas City history (7,362 yards to Otis’ 7,306). He currently ranks third in NFL history for receiving scores among tight ends.
First things first: So far this season, the Texans have been outscored 64-7 in the first quarter (the Jets are the only other team with just one first quarter score). And that’s not even the bad news.
The Chiefs’ defense has kept six opponents scoreless in the first quarter, outscoring them 44-27. The Texans, meanwhile, are 1-6 when trailing at halftime.
The Texans overcame a 7-6 halftime deficit to beat the Chiefs 24-21 in Kansas City last September, but they can’t rest on their laurels if they want the same outcome Sunday.
Stopping the run: The Chiefs held Buffalo to just 61 rushing yards last week, and their eighth-ranked pass defense holds opponents to an average 90.9 yards per game.
In nine games, the unit has held six opponents to fewer than 100 team rushing yards, but they allow an average of 248.1 passing yards per game (29th in the league).
Rookie linebacker Derrick Johnson leads the team with 62 tackles, and he’s also recorded one sack and two forced fumbles. Second-year defensive end Jared Allen has been a huge factor in the revamped defense. He currently leads the team with seven sacks (third in the AFC) and already has forced six fumbles this season.
Hall pass: The Chiefs’ special teams features one of the premier returnmen in the league in Dante Hall. While his 6.5-yard punt return average ranks 17th in the NFL and his 24.1 kickoff return average ranks 16th, Hall’s ability to make game-breaking plays shouldn’t be overlooked.
He became the first player in NFL history to return five kickoffs/punts for scores in one season in 2003, and he’s looking to pick up the pace during the second half of this season.
Hall returned a kickoff 96 yards for a touchdown against the Eagles in Week 4.
The Texans' coverage units haven’t given up many big plays this season, and should remain on their toes Sunday.
Sunday night lights: While the Texans were thoroughly embarrassed the last time they were featured on ESPN’s nationally-televised Sunday night game at Seattle, the Chiefs generally shine under the spotlight. Kansas City is 8-3 all-time and has won seven of its last eight Sunday night outings.
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KC's offense has got to step up the rest of this season. Let LJ carry often and use your big guy TG in clutch. GET ERR DONE BOYS. We will not LOSE TO THE 1-8 Houston TEXANS!!!!!!!!!!!!
By Kris Krikes
HoustonTexans.com
The Texans have faced one of the toughest schedules in the NFL through the first nine games of the season. They’ve played six teams with winning records (54-27), and the New England Patriots (5-4) are the only other team to have faced opponents with at least 50 combined wins.
It won't get any easier for the Texans this weekend when they host the Kansas City Chiefs (5-4) on ESPN Sunday Night Football at Reliant Stadium. The Texans and Chiefs are tied in the previous two matchups, with the road team winning each contest.
Currently the Chiefs are knotted up with the San Diego Chargers for second place in the AFC West, and a win in Houston is crucial if they want to remain in playoff contention. The Texans are looking for their first-ever home win over the Chiefs.
Like the Texans, the Chiefs have suffered some critical injuries this season, and are coming off a disappointing 14-3 loss to the Buffalo Bills at Ralph Wilson Stadium last Sunday.
On the run: The Chiefs’ offense could pose some problems for the Texans’ last-ranked run defense. Kansas City has the seventh-best run offense (ninth overall) in the league, and running back Larry Johnson is coming off a 132 yard game against the Bills, who have the league’s second-worst run defense.
After sharing most of the carries with running back Priest Holmes (who was placed on IR earlier this week with head and neck injuries), Johnson now bears the Chiefs' rushing responsibilities.
Johnson is the ninth-leading rusher in the AFC with 638 yards on 124 carries (5.1 avg.) and his six touchdowns tie with Holmes’ to lead the team. The third-year back also adds 14 catches for 161 yards (11.5 avg.).
The Texans have allowed six 100-yard rushers in nine games. Johnson surely will be a big part of the Chiefs’ offensive attack this weekend.
Trouble in Buffalo: Quarterback Trent Green had an uncharacteristically sloppy performance against the Bills, completing only 23-of-40 for 220 yards and three interceptions.
He’d only thrown three picks through the previous eight games. Green’s 41.7 passer rating was his worst since 2001 when he had a 35.5 rating against the New York Jets. The Chiefs lost despite generating more yards (316 to 209) and more first downs (22 to nine) than the Bills.
Kansas City couldn’t create any big plays and turned the ball over too much against a hungry Bills' defense. But look for Green to refocus this Sunday.
Supreme experience: After a slow first half of the season, six-time Pro Bowl tight end Tony Gonzalez has rebounded in the past four games. He leads the team with 45 catches for 457 yards, but has scored only one touchdown (he’s scored six or more in each of the past six seasons).
Last week, Gonzalez's eight catches for 81 yards helped him bypass wide receiver Otis Taylor for the most receiving yards in Kansas City history (7,362 yards to Otis’ 7,306). He currently ranks third in NFL history for receiving scores among tight ends.
First things first: So far this season, the Texans have been outscored 64-7 in the first quarter (the Jets are the only other team with just one first quarter score). And that’s not even the bad news.
The Chiefs’ defense has kept six opponents scoreless in the first quarter, outscoring them 44-27. The Texans, meanwhile, are 1-6 when trailing at halftime.
The Texans overcame a 7-6 halftime deficit to beat the Chiefs 24-21 in Kansas City last September, but they can’t rest on their laurels if they want the same outcome Sunday.
Stopping the run: The Chiefs held Buffalo to just 61 rushing yards last week, and their eighth-ranked pass defense holds opponents to an average 90.9 yards per game.
In nine games, the unit has held six opponents to fewer than 100 team rushing yards, but they allow an average of 248.1 passing yards per game (29th in the league).
Rookie linebacker Derrick Johnson leads the team with 62 tackles, and he’s also recorded one sack and two forced fumbles. Second-year defensive end Jared Allen has been a huge factor in the revamped defense. He currently leads the team with seven sacks (third in the AFC) and already has forced six fumbles this season.
Hall pass: The Chiefs’ special teams features one of the premier returnmen in the league in Dante Hall. While his 6.5-yard punt return average ranks 17th in the NFL and his 24.1 kickoff return average ranks 16th, Hall’s ability to make game-breaking plays shouldn’t be overlooked.
He became the first player in NFL history to return five kickoffs/punts for scores in one season in 2003, and he’s looking to pick up the pace during the second half of this season.
Hall returned a kickoff 96 yards for a touchdown against the Eagles in Week 4.
The Texans' coverage units haven’t given up many big plays this season, and should remain on their toes Sunday.
Sunday night lights: While the Texans were thoroughly embarrassed the last time they were featured on ESPN’s nationally-televised Sunday night game at Seattle, the Chiefs generally shine under the spotlight. Kansas City is 8-3 all-time and has won seven of its last eight Sunday night outings.
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KC's offense has got to step up the rest of this season. Let LJ carry often and use your big guy TG in clutch. GET ERR DONE BOYS. We will not LOSE TO THE 1-8 Houston TEXANS!!!!!!!!!!!!