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

Texans’ receivers against Chiefs’ cornerbacks.

The biggest advantage for the Texans when it comes to playing against this Chiefs team is the skill gap between their receivers and Kansas City’s cornerbacks. Will Fuller and Brandin Cooks (assuming he plays) are both very fast and potentially legitimate No. 1 wideouts in the NFL.

Fuller will be given his first opportunity to really shine now that DeAndre Hopkins has been shipped out to the desert. Can he take advantage? Cooks will also be looking for some redemption and some security, given that he’s now on his third NFL team in six years and he has zero guaranteed money left on his contract.

As for Kansas City, the cornerback position has to be the one of most concern, despite the coaching staff’s proclamation of their competitive prowess. Charvarius Ward has proven himself an above average corner over the last two years, but no other cornerback on the roster can boast even one year of quality coverage production. Antonio Hamilton has been a career special teams player, who now takes over for one of the best slot corners in the NFL (Kendall Fuller). Meanwhile, Rashad Fenton must start in place of the suspended Bashaud Breeland in a role on the outside he’s never played in the NFL .

The Texans will need their offensive line to give Watson time, but if they do, there could be a shootout in Arrowhead on Thursday.