In just one more sleep, the Kansas City Chiefs will finally make their playoff debut in 2025. After three weeks off since clinching the top seed in the AFC on Christmas Day, the Houston Texans will roll into Arrowhead with an epic upset on their minds.
The second season starts on Saturday in Kansas City. The Chiefs will take on the Houston Texans, the AFC South Champions, in a divisional round matchup that will decide one-half of the AFC Championship game.
Kansas City has waited over three weeks to play a meaningful football game, and rust is unlikely to be an issue for this seasoned team. Over the last 23 days, Head Coach Andy Reid has established a clear workflow to ensure his players are prepared for Saturday.
The Chiefs gained a significant advantage during their lengthy bye week. They are healthy, well-rested, and eager to silence.
So, what do the Chiefs need to do on Saturday?
Play in Attack Mode: The Kansas City Chiefs usually plan their first fifteen offensive plays. Head Coach Andy Reid and Patrick Mahomes review this sequence of plays multiple times during the week of preparation. The Chiefs must execute these plays to set the offensive tone successfully.
Mahomes will have a complete roster of receivers, tight ends, and running backs to evaluate whatever the Texans show defensively. For some reason, the media believes the Chiefs’ offensive line won’t safeguard Mahomes as effectively as they did against the Texans on December 21st.
The Chiefs’ offense needs to demonstrate that this is precisely what will happen again.
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Pressure on CJ Stroud: Defensive Coordinator Steve Spagnuolo is a strategic genius with his game plan. He understands when to apply aggressive pressure and when to hold back. In their previous matchup last month, it took time to reach Texans Quarterback CJ Stroud, but in this game, they need to create some early three-and-outs.
Stroud used his legs to escape pressure during the team’s wild-card victory over the Texans and made better choices with the football. Nevertheless, the key factor for him will be the performance of running back Joe Mixon, who is dealing with a persistent knee strain.
The Chiefs present a considerable challenge against the run, making it unlikely that Mixon will replicate his success against Los Angeles when facing Kansas City. However, KC’s defense must pressure Stroud and limit Mixon’s yardage.
— Chiefs Blitz (@ChiefsBlitz) January 17, 2025
BREAKING
The #Chiefs have announced their captains for the 2024/25 NFL Playoffs:
QB Patrick Mahomes
TE Travis Kelce
DT Chris Jones
LB Nick Bolton
LS James Winchester
K Harrison Butker pic.twitter.com/dcNdSBbcg4
Mahomes’ Shoulder Chip: Despite Patrick Mahomes’ successful career with Kansas City, many NFL analysts still rank him behind Lamar Jackson, Josh Allen, and Jared Goff. They emphasize that the winner of the AFC matchup between the Bills and Ravens will hold a significant advantage over the Chiefs in the AFC finale.
The Chiefs’ quarterback primarily focuses on winning Super Bowl rings, yet he remains aware of the noise surrounding him. Occasionally, he makes comments in interviews that demonstrate his attentiveness. However, that is not his primary motivation. He has faced disrespect throughout the season and needs to prove himself to a national audience.
— Chiefs Blitz (@ChiefsBlitz) January 17, 2025
Joe Thuney is starting at left tackle for the #Chiefs in the AFC Divisional Round against the Texans.
Per, @JFowlerESPN. pic.twitter.com/CvrzLHrqeB
Piling up the Sacks: The Kansas City Chiefs’ pass rush has been outstanding down the stretch. Even without Chris Jones in their AFC-clinching victory over Pittsburgh, they pressured Russell Wilson into making turnovers and flustered him in the pocket. Stroud is more mobile, but he often makes mistakes with the football.
This means the Chiefs must close the pocket and limit his downfield vision. Additionally, they need to adjust their strategy against the quarterback by increasing inside pressure. The Chiefs rely too heavily on going around the tackles to reach the quarterback. They should focus on slipping between the tackle and guard.
One thing is sure: the more often they send five pass rushers, the greater their chances of bringing Stroud down.
Draw Energy from the Crowd: Arrowhead is the loudest stadium in the NFL, and the fans provide unmatched energy during critical games. They are also the most knowledgeable, and when the Chiefs need a boost on the field, they raise their voices.
The players must seize the moment and put their quest for history on hold. It’s a one-game season, and the loser goes home. The Chiefs have experienced tremendous success during the Reid/Mahomes era, so sustaining that momentum for their dynasty is essential.
