The Chiefs remain the lone undefeated team in the NFL after going on the road to beat the Houston Texans 42-34. The Chiefs and the Texans both suffered significant injuries starting in the first quarter which changed the tone of the game.In the Texans 1st drive, J.J. Watt injured his left leg and Whitney Mercilus tore a pectoral muscle which sidelined them both for the season. Chiefs offense was able to capitalize on these losses by scoring 23 points in the 1st half to the Texans 7. The Texans came back in the 4th quarter when Deshaun Watson scored a 48-yard touchdown pass, but the Chiefs offense scored 2 more touchdowns to secure the win.
Offense
The Chiefs offense was unstoppable against the Texans. Chiefs Quarterback Alex Smith completed 29 of 37 passes for 324 yards and 3 touchdowns with no interceptions. Smith is in the early running for MVP. Running back Kareem Hunt who is also in the early running for MVP, carried the ball 29 times for 107 yards. He leads the league with 609 rushing yards. Chiefs Tight End Travis Kelce caught the ball eight times for 96 yards and four third-down conversions before a concussion in the first half benched him for the rest of the game. Chiefs Wide receiver Tyreek Hill rushed an 82-yard touchdown! Chiefs running back Chandrick West caught the ball twice for 12 yards and scored 2 touchdowns. Rookie kicker Harrison Butker, in his second pro game, completed all 5 of his field goals. He is nailing it each time!
The Texans offense really starting clicking in the 4th quarter when they scored 21 points, but it was too little too late. Texans rookie Quarterback Deshaun Watson completed 16 of his 31 passes for 261 yards, five touchdowns, and no interceptions. DeAndre Hopkins caught the ball 4 times for 52 yards and scored 3 touchdowns. Will Fuller V caught the ball twice for 57 yards and scored 2 touchdowns.
Defense
Chiefs Defense applied pressure to Watson and their offense throughout the game. Chiefs lineman Chris Jones had his third forced fumble of the year when he stripped the ball from Texans’ running back D’onte Foreman. Justin Houston lit it up as always with 3 tackles, 1.5 sacks, and 2 quarterback hits. Daniel Sorrenson and Frank Zombo had a combined 11 tackles and each had a quarterback hit.
The Texans defense really struggled starting from the 1st quarter when they lost Watt and Mercilus. The defense allowed 450 yards of total offense and 29 first downs. Even thought the defense struggled, rookie linebacker Zach Cunningham had nine tackles and a forced fumble.
Coach’s final words
Chiefs’ coach Andy Reid said, “Bill has a good football team here, he had some injuries on his side too, pretty devastating there. I know they will rebound.”
Texans head coach Bill O’Brien said “I thought we competed until the end, the next guys are going to have to step up and play. We have to do a good job of coaching and scheming. That’s the National Football League. Guys get hurt and the next guy in the meeting room at that position needs to step up.”
Injuries
Travis Kelce is in NFL’s concussion protocol and it is unclear when he will return. Chiefs wide receiver Chris Conley injured his Achilles tendon and will be lost for the remainder of the year. Safety Steven Terrell suffered a concussion in the game’s opening kickoff and his availability is unknown if he will play in Sunday’s game. In addition to J.J. Watt and Whitney Mercilus being injured and out for the year, Texans safety Corey Moore suffered a concussion and will be entering concussion protocol. It is unclear if he will play in next weeks game.
Up Next
The Chiefs return home and play against the Pittsburgh Steelers, who are 3-2 on Sunday, October 15th at Arrowhead Stadium. The Chiefs are still the only undefeated team in the NFL. Let’s keep that up and go 6-0!
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