The one where the computer tortures you with fumbles and drops – even star receiver Jeremy Maclin had two drops, more than he had all of 2015 – and penalties and refuses to let you finish the regular season 16-0. The Chiefs lost to the Houston Texans 19-12 at NRG Stadium in Houston in their first road contest of the 2016 season on Sunday.
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The honorary Doug Pederson gets the blame for the way the Chiefs backs were used. “You name it. Three turnovers”. That wasn’t due to Jamaal.
Reid also said that the team wants to be sure Charles is fully recovered because “we’re not playing tiddlywinks” and that he thinks Charles will be the same player he was before the injury once he does return to action.
The Houston defense led the way, forcing three fumbles for a little payback after the Chiefs forced five Texans turnovers in their playoff win. Whitney Mercilus, Clowney, John Simon, the list goes on. He had 1 1/2 sacks, two quarterback hits and recovered a fumble on Sunday after failing to get a sack in Week 1.
These aren’t the same Texans, though, particularly on offense, where Brock Osweiler has taken over under center, handing off to newcomer Lamar Miller, and rookie receiver Will Fuller looks to be a unsafe complement to star DeAndre Hopkins. He also completed only 19 of 33 passes for a solid 268 yards and a touchdown.
Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce (87) celebrates with quarterback Alex Smith (11) after catching a touchdown pass against the Houston Texans during the first quarter at NRG Stadium. “Just having that confidence at the quarterback position, it changed their offense”. Since his injury previous year, replacements Spencer Ware and Charcandrick West have combined for a respectable 4.6 yards-per-carry average.
GIANTS 13, SAINTS 10: Eli Manning hit Victor Cruz for a 34-yard pass to set up Josh Brown’s 23-yard field goal as time expired in East Rutherford, New Jersey, giving NY its first 2-0 start since 2009.
Nowhere close to good enough. Remember, it was only last January when Houston was embarrassed by Kansas City 30-0 in the playoffs. Peters had two picks on the day, but the defense wasn’t able to bail out the abysmal offense.
Watt continued to shine later in the first quarter when he took Smith down for his first sack this season, forcing the Chiefs (1-1) to kick a field goal that made it 7-3.
Novak’s (32, 24, 31, 43) four field goals allowed Houston to keep putting points on the board.
In the first half last week against the Chargers, the Chiefs were awful.
“I’ve got to get them sacks, man, ” he said.
On the other side of the ball, the Bears’ offensive line was its weakest link in Houston, and while the Eagles’ front seven isn’t the Texans, it can be a challenge.
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On a more long-term level, it’s a sign that this team might have a vertical passing game.
