Chiefs postseason keys: The book on beating Houston

So exactly what needs to happen for the Chiefs to fly out of Houston with their first playoff victory in two decades? I’m glad you asked, and since you’re asking, I’ve compiled a list of keys to winning Saturday’s game. These two teams have grown considerably since their season-opening contest in mid-September. I’ll try to keep that in mind for the next several minutes. If all hearts and minds are clear, let’s get into it:

Neutralizing the Texans’ pass rush

It’s no secret that putting pressure on the quarterback is one of the strengths of this Texans’ defense. Houston finished the regular season with 45 team sacks (a mark bested by only four other teams — one of which was the Kansas City Chiefs). In Sunday’s regular season finale, Houston sacked Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Blake Bortles eight times. The bulk of those sacks came from Watt and outside linebacker Whitney Mercilus (6.5 on the day). Keeping Alex Smith clean is a priority in Saturday’s game. If the Texans can pressure him the same way they did Bortles over the weekend, the Chiefs could become the one-dimensional offense that struggled through Weeks 2-6.

The answer: Misdirection in the run game and fast-developing pass plays

The Read option could be key in this game. If used effectively, it can help the Chiefs run the football from a less-conventional set and spread the Houston defense out. Kansas City has had success from the Shotgun Read due to personnel. Alex Smith is one of the most mobile quarterbacks in the league and the Chiefs offensive linemen, for all of their faults, are a capable group on the move. Smith is one of the best in the NFL at reading backside containment and he tends to run the Read option as comfortably as anyone at this level.

Short crossing routes have become the bread-and-butter of the Chiefs’ passing offense over the back half of the season. Having fleet-footed receivers who run good routes and a quarterback who excels at ball placement on short and intermediate throws makes defending such plays very difficult. The Texans will have a tough time getting home against three-step drops. If Reid can be creative with his play calling and not rely too heavily on screen plays, the Chiefs can sustain drives with a high-percentage passing game.

Next: The next two keys...