Justin Reid: Texans look forward to playing KC Chiefs again

Justin Reid is excited for the challenge of playing the Chiefs again.

As if opening the NFL season isn’t cause enough for motivation and excitement for the players involved as the eyes of America tune in for the thrills of a new season. For the Houston Texans, there’s an added incentive to show the league and its fans how hungry they are to be an elite team.

That’s the word of Texans’ safety Justin Reid, who says the team relishes the challenges right out of the gate with back-to-back games against the Kansas City Chiefs and Baltimore Ravens.

It would be impossible for a single team to start the season with a steeper hill to climb. Perhaps the New Orleans Saints could be included in the conversation for NFL team getting the most preseason love, but by and large, the Chiefs and Ravens are often considered the league’s top two franchises heading into the season. The Chiefs, of course, won the Super Bowl last year for the first time in 50 years, while the Ravens held onto the top spot in power rankings all regular season long before collapsing in the postseason.

In a recent interview with the Houston Chronicle, Reid, who is an impressive third-year safety with a Pro Bowl or two in his future, spoke about the season ahead and says it’s a chance to “set a standard” for the franchise.

"“It’s an opportunity for us to set a standard for who we’re going to be the entire season. The first three games right off the gate, especially the first two games (with) Kansas City and Baltimore right out of the gate, I think that is going to set a precedent. We take home those two Ws, then other teams are going to be like: ‘The Houston Texans are the team to look out for.’”"

Reid says the Texans have no interest in playing “scrubs” although the entire AFC should more difficult this year with the infusion of young quarterbacks like Joe Burrow and Tua Tagovailoa with teams like the Cincinnati Bengals and Miami Dolphins, respectively. The Texans also lost to the Denver Broncos and Carolina Panthers in 2019 so it’s not as if they can afford to overlook anyone in 2020.

Reid does mention the Chiefs game in particular is also a chance for redemption. After putting the Chiefs on the ropes, down by 24 points in the postseason, the Chiefs roared back for a dominating win with a final score of 51-31.

"“We want to play the best. We want to beat the best. It’s going to be an awesome opportunity to go against Patrick Mahomes again. There will be fireworks flying and an exciting game for everybody to watch.”"

Reid couldn’t have said it any better.