Texans vs. Chiefs: Key matchups to watch in Week 1

Travis Kelce and Clyde Edwards-Helaire against the Texans’ linebackers

Houston has a solid linebacking corps that is excellent against the run and better than average at covering fullbacks and slow tight ends. But the Chiefs don’t employ a slow tight end and won’t often bring Anthony Sherman onto the field, let alone out of the backfield. Instead, the Chiefs will work to match up rookie running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire and future Hall of Fame tight end Travis Kelce against the slower, immobile linebackers for the Texans. It will be a nightmare.

If you do not recall the second quarter for Kelce of the Divisional playoff game, it is absolutely worth your time to go check out the single best quarter of his NFL career. He took advantage of the lack of athleticism at will. And, like the secondary, Houston’s linebacking corps is not better than it was eight months ago. Mahomes should have plenty of options to throw the ball to.

Deshaun Watson against Tyrann Mathieu

This is the best matchup of the game in terms of skill levels. Deshaun Watson is an elite level quarterback who makes sound decisions and is a proven playmaker. Tyrann Mathieu is one of the best safeties in the NFL and a legitimate Defensive Player of the Year candidate.

If the Chiefs defense is working well (primarily that the corners are doing their jobs), Mathieu will be given relative free reign to utilize his instincts against Watson, and the two should duke it out throughout the evening. Both will win some battles, but who wins the war could go a long way to determining the outcome in this one.