The Kansas City Chiefs are in survival mode. Tonight they’ll face the Houston Texans in a game that could determine the playoff route for both teams. Even though the Texans lost two games to the Chiefs last season, including one in the postseason when Kansas City had eight sacks, these teams are vastly different from what they were then.
As I studied the All-22, here’s how the Kansas City Chiefs can survive the Houston Texans. The mandate at One Arrowhead Drive is absolute: LOCK IN. Facing a massive backup personnel crisis on the offensive line, the Chiefs must reach deep into their depth chart to protect the season.
- Offensive Key: Unleash the Unmatched Size
With RG Trey Smith and RT Jawaan Taylor sidelined, the Chiefs must pivot to brute force to secure the trenches.
- The Esa Pole Opportunity: Undrafted standout Esa Pole must get his chance. Standing at an unmatched 6’7″ and 319 lbs, his sheer size on the edge is the “blindside deterrent” Danielle Hunter won’t expect. My film study confirms that Pole’s frame forces speed rushers into wider angles, buying Patrick Mahomes the tenths of a second he needs to find his playmakers.
- Unleash the Seam Threat (Wiley): Standout sophomore Jared Wiley should be the strategic x-factor in the red zone. At 6’6″ and 249 lbs, his veteran-style shielding makes him the ultimate weapon near the goal line. Mahomes needs to look for Wiley on the seam to punish Houston’s secondary depth.
- Vertical Burn: While your Golden jacket kid works underneath, Tyquan Thornton must start stretching the field deep. His speed is the roof-remover this offense requires to keep safeties out of the box.
🌟 Sunday Spotlight: “My Golden jacket kid” vs. The Houston No-Fly Zone
The matchup for Rashee Rice AKA my Golden jacket kid is the primary strategic battle of the night.
- The Zone-Killer Metric: Houston relies heavily on zone, and that is where Rice eats. He owns an elite 83.4 PFF receiving grade against zone. He leads the team with a 31.2% target rate because he knows exactly how to settle into open pockets.
- Physicality vs. Jalen Pitre: When Rice moves into the slot, he collides with the physical Jalen Pitre. Averaging 8.2 yards after catch, Rice must use his frame to survive the contact in the middle.
- Defensive Key: The Nohl Williams Mandate
Steve Spagnuolo has an elite weapon he is barely scratching the surface of.
- Elevate Nohl Williams: The standout corner has been insane, earning a 93.7 PFF coverage grade. Increasing Williams’ boundary snaps allows Trent McDuffie to shift into the slot, suffocating C.J. Stroud’s high-percentage options.
- Stone Cold vs. The Podium: C.J. Stroud was dismissive of the “Stone Cold” nickname this week, word for word telling the media: “I didn’t know that’s what people called him.” Chris Jones, AKA Stone Cold, is taking stock of those words. He needs to remind the Texans exactly why he owns that nickname on the field.
- Choke the Oxygen: If Williams and McDuffie lock down the air, Stone Cold Chris Jones is free to hunt the interior, collapsing the pocket to force Stroud into game-altering fumbles.
THE SINGLE KEY TO VICTORY
The Key: Red Zone Efficiency.
If the Chiefs go 5-for-5 on touchdowns—relying on the massive frame of Jared Wiley and the physicality of my Golden jacket kid—they keep the Super Bowl defense alive.
My Score Prediction: Chiefs 35 – Texans 21
I studied the All-22, and Spagnuolo has a wild card in Nohl Williams that Stroud isn’t prepared for. Stone Cold Chris Jones creates chaos inside, and Mahomes finds your Golden jacket kid late to seal the victory at Arrowhead.
Stay tuned for the Monday Hense Todd Golden Jackets of 2026 NFL Draft
