by Tony Fiorello

KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI - DECEMBER 21: C.J. Stroud #7 of the Houston Texans talks with Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) after an NFL football game at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium on December 21, 2024 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Perry Knotts/Getty Images)
Welcome to the 2024 NFL season’s Divisional Round Weekend. Here at Buffalo Sports Page we will attempt to inform and educate our readers about the upcoming playoff games and what each team might do to emerge victorious.
One of the AFC’s divisional round games will take place at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri as the Houston Texans will face the Kansas City Chiefs. Here’s what you should know:

ATLANTA, GEORGIA - SEPTEMBER 22: Travis Kelce #87 walks next to head coach Andy Reid of the Kansas City Chiefs as they wait to take the field prior to the game against the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on September 22, 2024 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
CHIEFS’ OFFENSE IS TYPICALLY DANGEROUS, BUT SLOWING A BIT
Andy Reid’s version of the West Coast offense has taken on many forms over the years. In Philadelphia his passing game with quarterbacks Donovan McNabb and Michael Vick was vertical-based to take advantage of their arm strength, conversely with Alex Smith it became conservative and horizontal.
Now with Patrick Mahomes under center it has returned to its downfield version. The system has also incorporated many college concepts in recent years and heavily relies on the design of the play to get people open. According to former MMQB/SI writer Andy Benoit, “Kansas City’s passing game is unique because it doesn’t depend on wide receivers winning one-on-one battles outside. The scheme relies on route combinations and creating opportunities for tight ends and running backs. This means the throws are more about timing than velocity.
“Reid features presnap motion, misdirection and multi-option reads. Those tactics put a defense on its heels by presenting the illusion of complexity, but they can transition into traditional concepts once the ball is snapped…. (they) aim to isolate specific defenders – often linebackers – present them with run/pass assignment conflicts and also get defenders flowing one way as the ball goes another.”
Some other calling cards of the Chiefs’ include their creative red zone concepts. Reid will concoct unusual formations with screens and shovel passes with motion, and these have set Kansas City apart from the rest of the league for years.
Between 2015 and ‘21 Kansas City employed wide receiver Tyreek Hill, who is perhaps the league’s fastest player and can line up anywhere – out wide, in the backfield and in the slot, where he is especially dangerous on post routes out of trips formations. Following a trade to the Miami Dolphins, Reid and general manager Brett Veach decided to replace him by committee.
Although they don’t boast quite the same speed as Hill does, men like Rashee Rice, Mecole Hardman, Marquise “Hollywood” Brown and rookie Xavier Worthy (who has shown that he can be the third man in trips formations – Hill’s old spot) give the Chiefs a group who can beat anyone vertically and all are used liberally in motion by Reid. Juju Smith-Schuster, Skyy Moore and Justin Watson have also gotten in on the action this year to varying degrees and Reid also likes to give his wideouts reduced splits along the line of scrimmage to use defenders’ leverage against them and present two-way go’s.
Unfortunately for the Chiefs, this group has been banged up all season. Rice, who the offense had shifted its focus to early in the year due to his versatility and ability to pick up yards after the catch, is out for the season following knee surgery and Hardman has also been hurt. Enter former All-Pro DeAndre Hopkins, who was acquired at the trade deadline from the Tennessee Titans.
Hopkins might not be the fastest wideout in football but succeeds with physicality, body control, route-running ability and excellent hands – akin to Hall of Famer Cris Carter. He’s also versatile by being able to align all over the formation and is especially adept on intermediate in-breaking routes over the middle of the field.
Travis Kelce, one of the best talents at his position, is versatile and can align in different ways in the formation (especially as the lone receiver on the backside in bunch – otherwise known as the boundary ‘X’ receiver). Perhaps the most athletic tight end in football, he can beat most defensive backs and linebackers on many different routes, especially on corners, sticks and crossers, is excellent at creating yards after the catch and has a good feel for voids in zone coverage.
Kelce set a record for receiving yards by a tight end with 1,416 in 2020 and continues to remain his usual elite self after passing Jerry Rice for the most receptions in playoff history last year. Backups Noah Grey, Jody Fortson (out with an injury) and Peyton Hendershot’s roles have expanded as Kansas City has incorporated more formations featuring multiple tight ends over the last two years. At running back the powerful Isiah Pacheco (a downhill, north-south type of runner), Samaje Perine and Kareem Hunt are adept at hurting teams not just on the ground but through the air as well, especially on screen passes.
Those backs and Mahomes operate behind an offensive line that has undergone many changes over the last few years. Injuries and underperformance have seen the Chiefs say goodbye to names like Eric Fisher, Mitchell Schwartz, Austin Reiter, Kelechi Osemele, Orlando Brown Jr., Dononvan Smith Andrew Wylie and hello to new faces like All-Pro Joe Thuney, Creed Humphrey, Trey Smith, Jawaan Taylor, D.J. Humphries and Mike Caliendo. Taylor hasn’t quite worked out so far and because of this Reid has been using his tight ends and backs to help in pass protection more often (Taylor has taken more penalties than anyone in the NFL over the last two years).
The widespread comparisons of Mahomes to Brett Favre aren’t unfounded, as the former possesses most of the latter’s attributes – a cannon for an arm, an uncanny ability to extend plays and good mobility and intelligence, plus a willingness to fit passes into tight windows and the ability to manipulate safeties with his eyes. He’s also underrated at using dummy cadences to get defenses to declare their intentions and then setting the pass protection accordingly. But he hasn’t always played the way his coaches want him to.
At times Mahomes shows too much unnecessary movement both in and outside the pocket due to anticipating pressure that isn’t there, sloppy footwork and not playing within the timing and structure of Reid’s attack. He also sometimes doesn’t take what defenses give him coverage-wise and forces plays down the field that don’t need to be.
When this happens, Reid usually gets Mahomes to settle down by incorporating more short and intermediate concepts like “smash” and “flood” – resulting in him being more decisive and his offense becoming more rhythm-based and less vertical. His mechanics also need touching up at times – especially by holding the ball higher so he can throw quicker and fixing his lower body base.
Two years ago the Chiefs’ offense was their usual lethal selves, ending 2022 first in total yards, points scored and passing and 20th in rushing. Last year they fell off a bit – 15th in points (21.8, the lowest in the Mahomes era), ninth in total yards, sixth in passing and 19th in rushing are usually not bad numbers for anyone but given Kansas City’s lofty standards they should have been better.
It’s been more of the same in 2024 as they ended the regular season 15th in scoring, 17th in total yards, 14th in passing. But they’re also 22nd in rushing, and most of their wins have come via one score games.

CLEVELAND, OHIO - DECEMBER 15: Chris Jones #95 of the Kansas City Chiefs waits for the snap during the second quarter against the Cleveland Browns at Huntington Bank Field on December 15, 2024 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Nick Cammett/Diamond Images via Getty Images)
KANSAS CITY’S DEFENSE PEAKING
From 2013 through 2018 the Chiefs’ defense was conducted by Bob Sutton, a former longtime assistant with the New York Jets. During the first three seasons Sutton applied his scheme in Kansas City the Chiefs had an upper-echelon unit, but between 2016-18 it took a nosedive – bottoming out in ’18 by finishing the regular season in the bottom-half of the league in nearly every statistical category.
Reid promptly replaced Sutton with one of his old assistants from Philadelphia in Steve Spagnuolo. “Spags”, a former head coach with the Rams and Super Bowl-winning defensive coordinator with the New York Giants, implemented a 4-3 system characterized by cleverly disguised five-man overload blitzes, multiple coverages with press technique by the cornerbacks and safety rotations before the snap.
The biggest key to Kansas City’s defense used to be former Arizona Cardinal and Houston Texan Tyrann Mathieu. Mathieu is one of the most versatile back-end defenders in football, as evidenced by his many snaps at slot cornerback, box safety, nickel/dime linebacker, free safety and outside cornerback. His athleticism and intelligence were valuable to the Chiefs – so valuable to the point where he was mainly used as the team’s middle hole defender in Cover Two zone and not a linebacker. But Mathieu left in free agency for the New Orleans Saints two years ago along with fellow safety Daniel Sorenson, and in their place now are ex-Texan Justin Reid (who matches up well with tight ends) and Bryan Cook.
The Chiefs also underwent a makeover at cornerback. Veterans L’Jarius Sneed, Charvarius Ward, Mike Hughes, Rashad Fenton and DeAndre Baker are gone and that position is now held down by Trent McDuffie, Joshua Williams, Jaylen Watson and Chamarri Conner. This group is mainly used by Spagnuolo in dime packages (they utilize it at the highest rate in the NFL) with McDuffie and Conner being able to line up both in the slot and on the outside. Conner can also play safety.
The Chiefs’ defensive line is the most talented part of this unit. All-Pro Chris Jones is one of the best defensive linemen in the league and is their linchpin thanks to his combination of burst and hand usage off the line of scrimmage. Ex-Patriot Josh Uche (who has surprising power for his size with quickness and coverage ability), Derrick Nnadi, Charles Omenihu, Tershawn Wharton, Mike Danna and George Karlaftis are the team’s other contributors in their front four and all are versatile. At linebacker Kansas City employs Nick Bolton – who is their best second-level defender – Drue Tranquill and Leo Chenal. Bolton is smart and athletic, and Tranquill excels in zone coverage.
Over the last few years the results from Spags’ defense were uneven, ranging anywhere from great to good to mediocre in multiple categories. Although 18th against the run and 27th in takeaways, his defense last season was sublime ranking second in points allowed (17.3, the lowest of any Reid-coached team since the 2004 Philadelphia Eagles), second in total yards given up, fourth against the pass and second in sacks. The Chiefs also set a record for the most contests in a season allowing less than 28 points with 20 such games.
This year Kansas City is fourth in points allowed, ninth in total yards surrendered and eighth against the run. But they’re just 14th in takeaways, 18th versus the pass and in sacks.

JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA - DECEMBER 1: Nico Collins #12 of the Houston Texans runs as Joe Mixon #28 celebrates against the Jacksonville Jaguars at EverBank Field on December 1, 2024 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Mike Carlson/Getty Images)
TEXANS’ OFFENSE EFFECTIVE, BUT FLAWED
A year ago general manager Nick Caserio and head coach DeMeco Ryans (a former San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator and ex-Texans linebacker) led the Texans to a surprising AFC South division title and they’ve followed it up with another one in 2024, the eighth in franchise history.
Ryans and offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik have brought a system to Houston that worked for them by the Bay, and what also worked for the team years ago under Gary Kubiak – the Shanahan-style of the West Coast offense. Slowik has used a playbook that emphasizes a running game built around zone-blocking (especially to the outside on “stretch” plays) and passes that are created off the threat of run-action. The system can create a lot of big plays down the field from craftily designed routes that work off one another, and the skill position players often line up in reduced splits to the line of scrimmage to become both extra blockers on runs and to have more room to run routes on the field.
No position has seen as much change in Houston than quarterback. Once led by one of the NFL’s best signal callers in Deshaun Watson, Watson was traded to the Cleveland Browns in 2022 following several legal problems and his successor has proven to be C.J. Stroud. The former first-round pick from Ohio State has shown a good sense of timing, accuracy and patience in the pocket with solid mechanics and is a quick processor of coverages. He’s also athletic enough to make second-reaction plays and is cool under pressure. Additionally, last year Stroud became the youngest quarterback (22) and highest-drafted rookie (second overall) to win a playoff game, and he and Ryans became just the fifth rookie signal caller and head coach to make the playoffs.
The Texans have a solid one-two punch at running back in former Cincinnati Bengal Joe Mixon and Dameon Pierce. Mixon is one of pro football’s better running backs when healthy, and his solid vision and good cutback ability mesh well with Houston’s scheme (and he’s also effective running out of multi-tight end formations with ‘wham’ block concepts). Pierce brings good power to the table.
Executing blocks on the offensive line are former first-round pick Tytus Howard, Shaq Mason, Jarrett Patterson, Blake Fisher and Laremy Tunsil. Tunsil is athletic and – aside from perhaps the 49ers’ Trent Williams – might be the league’s best offensive tackle in getting out to the perimeter to block for screens. This unit, however, has struggled in pass protection – especially in picking up blitzes, defending stunts and displaying poor communication.
Before the 2024 season began, Caserio and Ryans acquired ex-Buffalo Bills wide receiver Stefon Diggs to supplement Houston’s pass-catching depth. Diggs, while never a burner on the outside, is an exceptional route runner who specializes in making contested catches and operates well out of bunch and stack formations, and has brought his competitive fire to H-Town. However, he’s out for the season after tearing his ACL a few months ago.
Stroud’s additional targets in the passing game are the blossoming Nico Collins – who is emerging as one of the league’s premier boundary ‘X’ receivers – veteran Robert Woods (who still offers some value as a possession receiver and is a good blocker), John Metchie III and the injured Tank Dell, and Houston’s tight end is ex-Dallas Cowboy Dalton Schultz.
Houston was 12th in total offense, seventh in passing, 23rd in rushing and 14th in points in 2023. In 2024 those numbers declined – 21st in total offense and passing yards, 15th in rushing and 19th in points scored are nowhere near where Ryans and company would like to be. They’re also tied with Seattle for third-last in sacks allowed.

HOUSTON, TEXAS - JANUARY 11: Danielle Hunter #55 and Will Anderson Jr. #51 of the Houston Texans celebrate in the second quarter against the Los Angeles Chargers during the AFC Wild Card Playoffs at NRG Stadium on January 11, 2025 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images)
HOUSTON’S DEFENSE SOLID
Ryans’ preference for the Cover Three scheme that he coached in San Francisco (with deep zone coverage from the outside cornerbacks, one safety patrolling centerfield and another near the line of scrimmage) has taken over in H-Town. While that is their basic philosophy coverage-wise, the Texans also like to rush five and play man coverage, quarters (Cover Four) or Cover Six (a hybrid of Cover Four and Two) on third down.
Ryans and defensive coordinator Matt Burke’s pass rush is spearheaded by one of the league’s best edge duos in Will Anderson Jr. (who was 2023’s Defensive Rookie of the Year) and former All-Pro Danielle Hunter. They are joined in the starting front four by Mario Edwards and Folorunso Fatukasi, and Derek Barnett, Denico Autry and ex-Bills Jerry Hughes and Tim Settle are key rotational pieces for the Texans.
At linebacker Houston employs a trio of aggressive second level defenders in Azeez Al-Shaair, Christian Harris and Henry To’oTo’o. On the back end, Derek Stingley Jr. is showing why he was a high first round draft pick in 2022 while rookie Kamari Lassiter is the other starter at cornerback (veterans Myles Bryant and Jeff Okudah provide depth). Jalen Pitre and Jimmie Ward are Houston’s normal starting safeties, but both are on the shelf because of injuries and they have been replaced by Eric Murray and Calen Bullock. This group has shown to be overly aggressive on the back end.
The Texans ended 2023 14th in total yards, 23rd against the pass, sixth versus the run and 11th in points allowed. They were also 15th in sacks and tied for 16th in takeaways. In 2024 Houston was 14th in points allowed, 11th versus the run, sixth against the pass and fifth in total yards. They were tied for fourth in sacks with Minnesota and were fifth in takeaways.
Comments