The Kansas City Chiefs and Houston Texans are beginning their 2015 NFL regular season schedules at NRG Stadium on Sunday. The two teams have plenty of expectations heading into the season after both had 9-7 records last year, with some pundits believing that the Chiefs could go to the Super Bowl. Let’s all hope they are correct.
How to watch
TV: CBS
Time: 1 p.m. EST
Broadcasters: Kevin Harlan, Rich Gannon
Online: NFL Sunday Ticket MAX (Subscription required)
Mobile: Verizon mobile (Subscription required)
Odds: Pick ‘EM
Kansas City is returning three defensive stars from injury, something that should shore up this group against the run. Without question, the most compelling human interest story of the season belongs to strong safety in Eric Berry, who is making his return from Hodgkin’s Lymphoma in only eight months. Berry has a few friends returning in All-Pro inside linebacker Derrick Johnson and defensive end Mike DeVito, who both suffered season-ending Achilles injuries in Week 1 last year.
In addition, Kansas City general manager John Dorsey charged up a brutal anemic receiving corps by signing Jeremy Maclin to a five-year, $55 million deal. Maclin is supported by Jason Avant, De’Anthony Thomas, Chris Conley and Albert Wilson. Maclin represented a huge commitment and a necessary commitment.
As for the Texans, they dealt 2014 starting quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick to the New York Jets and replaced him with free-agent signing Brian Hoyer, who outplayed Ryan Mallett throughout the preseason. General manager Rick Smith also released future Hall of Fame receiver Andre Johnson for salary cap reasons, bringing in Cecil Shorts III and Nate Washington.
The Texans are also seeing the return of 2014 No. 1 overall pick Jadeveon Clowney, who played in four games before undergoing microfracture surgery on his knee. Clowney will play limited time, with most of those snaps coming in pass-rush scenarios. Houston will be sans running back Arian Foster, who is recuperating from groin surgery.