The Kansas City Chiefs kick off the NFL regular season on Thursday night against the Houston Texans. Here’s how our writers predict the game will turn out.
After winning the Super Bowl last season, the Kansas City Chiefs had one of the league’s best offseasons to begin their quest to becoming the NFL’s next dynasty.
They began by signing quarterback Patrick Mahomes to a 10-year extension worth up to $503 million that will keep him in KC until 2031. Then, they came to an agreement to keep star defensive lineman Chris Jones on a four year extension worth up to $85 million.
Next, the Chiefs managed to extend tight end Travis Kelce’s contract by four years, which will keep him in Kansas City for the next six years. On top of this, the Chiefs locked up the masterminds behind the team, head coach Andy Reid and general manager Brett Veach, until 2025.
The Chiefs managed to do all of this despite the fact that they only had $177 in cap space earlier in the offseason. K.C. has made all the necessary moves to begin a dynasty and is eager to launch its “run it back” campaign against the Houston Texans on Thursday night.
The last time these two teams played was a divisional playoff game that both teams remember well. After an early 24-0 deficit, the Chiefs came roaring to life and scored 41 unanswered points to end the game with a final score of 51-31. This comeback win sparked the Chiefs’ run to the Super Bowl in which they found themselves trailing in every game, but managed to pull off a comeback every time.
Though the Texans still have the talented Deshaun Watson at quarterback, they have lost their best wide receiver since they last faced the Chiefs. In a move that shocked the NFL and the sports world, the Texans traded DeAndre Hopkins to the Arizona Cardinals in March.
With the Chiefs’ keeping their key weapons and the Texans losing their best offensive player outside of quarterback, our writers are confident the Chiefs will keep the momentum from last season going and kick off their run it back campaign with a win. Here are our full writer predictions:
Drew Brooks: Chiefs 38, Texans 10
I think his is a blowout victory by the Chiefs. I think they’ll come out shaky, but ultimately the defense will smother the Texans offense and Mahomes will work his magic. I think Clyde Edwards-Helaire will have an amazing rookie debut and score two touchdowns with over 100 all purpose yards. The Chiefs start their quest to Super Bowl LV with a big win.
Matt Conner: Chiefs 31, Texans 20
There’s a part of me still programmed to be the fearful Chiefs fan, and Bill O’Brien is a helluva offensive mind to face in Week 1. However, these Chiefs are ready to not only prove themselves focused on a brand new year, but they’re also going to make sure the home crowd enjoys a celebratory night in primetime.
Stephen Dudas: Chiefs 45, Texans 27
This offseason is going to test a lot of organizations and teams… but the Chiefs continuity (Reid and Mahomes leading the way) give them a huge advantage. They will come out firing against a poor Texans secondary and put up points in a hurry. Deshaun Watson is a fighter and will continue to score throughout the game, even if it’s out of reach early.
Lyle Graversen: Chiefs 45, Texans 23
I fully expect the Chiefs offense to come out firing on all cylinders. I think that offenses in general may have the advantage over defenses to start the season after no preseason games. The Texans however, lost their best offensive weapon in DeAndre Hopkins, so I just don’t see them being able to keep up with KC.
Sterling Holmes: Chiefs 34, Texans 27
The beginning of the #RunItBack campaign starts here and with a relatively tough game. Say what you will about Bill O’Brien, the Texans consistently make the playoffs and they have Deshaun Watson. I am expecting some fireworks in this game and think that the Chiefs defense comes up with some big stops late. My two unsung heroes to watch for in this game will be Charvarius Ward and Tanoh Kpassognon. Here’s to the Chiefs starting 1-0.
Jake Kokoris: Chiefs 23, Texans 21
As thrilled as I am for football to be back, the first Thursday of the season is usually a sloppy affair. I think, similar to their playoff game, the Texans build an early lead and attack KC’s pass d. Chiefs will battle back and win in dramatic fashion thanks to…. Harrison “I can’t believe it’s not” Butker
Scott Loring: Chiefs 24, Texans 0
In a cruel twist of irony, the Texans return to Arrowhead and can’t get their offense out of the starting gates. The Chiefs get touchdowns from Sammy Watkins, Travis Kelce, and Darrel Williams and Harrison Butker crushes a 51-yard field goal and the Chiefs romp.
Jordan Mannix: Chiefs 35, Texans 24
Chiefs will start fast, knocking the pandemic malaise off the tires, surprising the Texans and fans alike. This game is likely over by the end of the third quarter, with the Chiefs ahead a couple scores. The Texans will close the gap with some plays made in garbage time, but it will be too little too late against the defending champs on banner night (Even with a reduced, yet still raucous Arrowhead crowd).
Ellen Mathis: Chiefs 31, Texans 17
This won’t be as full of fireworks as the playoff game but the chiefs will come out with that run it back attitude. They’ll make some mistakes but ultimately show that they just have more talent. Chiefs win this game and hoist their banner to kick off the season.
Byron Smith: Chiefs 42, Texans 21
This is a blowout, Texans have rose the back of Deshaun Watson and Nuke Hopkins for too long, and now that the latter half of the duo is gone, well the Texans maybe as well. Kansas City has great games after byes and long stretches of off time thanks to Andy Reid and I expect Mahomes to be sitting by the fourth.
Travis Steffen: Chiefs 35, Texans 20
While the Chiefs did everything they could to bring everyone back in 2020 from their Super Bowl run, the Texans lost some significant pieces. Trading DeAndre Hopkins for David Johnson and draft capital was one of the most controversial trades to date. They replaced him by trading for Brandin Cooks and signing Randall Cobb. With not much time to prepare, the Chiefs are already comfortable with their fellow teammates while Houston is trying to catch up. While Houston’s offense is questionable to be as good as they were last year, they did nothing to fix their issues on defense which could take another step back in 2020.
Rylan Stiles: Chiefs 35, Texans 24
There is some talk about this Chiefs team not being focused on this year, and I think the offense will make a statement on Thursday Night. I expect a big game from Patrick Mahomes, and for the defense even without Breeland and Pennel to step up in an impressive way as the Texans try to find their identity offensively after the turnover they’ve had this offseason.
Kelly Thompson: Chiefs 41, Texans 17
Since the Chiefs ended the Texans’ season on a 51-7 run in January, Kansas City has gotten better on offense with the addition of Clyde Edwards-Helaire and should be improved on defense, too, with health and another full offseason with defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo. The Texans, on the other hand, have lost their best offensive weapon and appear to be a team headed in the wrong direction. They’ve still got Deshaun Watson, so anything is possible. But, expect to see a continuation of the AFC Playoffs from both teams. Kansas City runs away with this one.
Grant Tuttle: Chiefs 38, Texans 17
As Kansas City ramps up their “run it back” campaign season, the Texans find themselves in a tough spot; playing the Chiefs who they were eviscerated by after holding a substantial lead over in the divisional round of the 2019 playoffs. While the Texans prepare for a “revenge game,” they must plan on doing so with a new looking team that, on paper, is far inferior to the Super Bowl winners of a season ago. Look for Mahomes to return to his MVP form with an offseason of work with the same weapons as last year and a superior pass-catching running back.
Farzin Vousoughian: Chiefs 34, Texans 13
After the infamous 24-0 start the Texans had on the Chiefs, which was due to a heavy amount of miscues in Kansas City’s end, the Chiefs went on a 51-7 run to finish the game. Houston’s offense had a bad offseason while Kansas City’s only got better. DeShaun Watson is a great quarterback, but he doesn’t have the supporting cast he needs to keep up with the Chiefs to open up the season.
Thomas Welte: Chiefs 45, Texans 34
It is difficult to predict how things will play out without seeing any preseason action. We could see some injuries and bad tackling, like we often see early in preseason action. All of that said, outside of the inevitable mistakes, this one looks like it will come down to a shootout. Thankfully, the world champs have the best gunslinger and plenty of targets to pull out an opening night victory.