Going into the season, the matchup between the Houston Texans and the Kansas City Chiefs was highly regarded, and while it's still an extremely important game for the AFC playoff race in Week 14, both teams are positioned in a different light than expected.
One thing that always held true for this particular matchup was the Houston defense against Patrick Mahomes. Under head coach DeMeco Ryans, the Texans have built one of the most physical and tough defenses over the last few years. Their hard-hitting ability has left many opposing offenses scrambling in the midst of a game, while also leaving them battered and bruised going into the following week.
It is well documented that when teams can impose their will on the Chiefs, they take too long to regroup—if they do at all. There have been other issues sinking K.C.'s hopes this season. But when it comes to protecting Mahomes, it has been much messier the last few games. Mahomes has taken plenty of hard hits since the Chiefs' trip to Buffalo.
Kansas City has allowed 13 sacks in its last four games. Now, they will have to face off against arguably the best pass-rushing duo in the entire NFL. Danielle Hunter and Will Anderson Jr. are a ferocious nightmare that the Chiefs will have to fend off as much as possible.
Hunter and Anderson Jr. near top of many pass rush leaderboards
The Texans have received 21.5 combined sacks from Hunter (11) and Anderson Jr. (10.5) this season. For Anderson Jr. himself, he needs just one sack in the last five games to pass his mark from last year. Kansas City will hope that his next sack will not come against them.
In terms of overall sacks among individual players this season, Hunter sits tied for 4th entering Week 14. Anderson Jr. is tied for 6th entering the matchup against the Chiefs. As a team, Houston has registered 34 sacks this year. That is tied for the 6th-most in the league. As a whole, Hunter and Anderson Jr. have combined for roughly 63 percent of the team’s sack total.
Even when these two are not getting sacks to take the quarterback down, these Texans pass rushers are still getting home with affecting pressure. Both of these pass rushers rank in the top five in total pressures this season. Via Pro Football Focus, Hunter sits 5th in the league with 57 pressures. Anderson Jr. is just above him at 64 pressures, ranking third in the NFL.
What makes Hunter and Anderson Jr. so tricky for blockers? Hunter will align at both tight and wide angles against offensive tackles. He can swim around blockers. At the same time, Hunter wins a fair amount with his bull rush.
Anderson Jr. can also stun blockers with his bull rush and power. Houston is not afraid to let him align against the opposing offensive interior, as we saw Sunday in Indianapolis. Anderson Jr.’s ability to win with a long-arm move and get blockers off balance stems from his immense length and reach.
Chiefs' protection has major injury issues
As if the frustration of losing on Thanksgiving was not bad enough for the Chiefs, their injury luck took a major hit last Thursday. Josh Simmons looked solid after his return from missing games in the middle of the season. Unfortunately, the rookie first-round pick is now out indefinitely after suffering a wrist injury against the Dallas Cowboys.
Jawaan Taylor has rebounded for the most part this season. Yet, he also left last game with an elbow injury. His status is likely up in the air until closer to game time this week. If he misses Sunday night’s action against Hunter and Anderson Jr., it will likely leave Kansas City with Jaylon Moore and Wanya Morris starting at the offensive tackle spots against Houston.
Even at guard, Mike Caliendo was already filling in for Trey Smith last week. As Smith nurses ankle ailments, Kansas City is hoping for health and luck in front of Mahomes against a daunting Texans defense and pass rush.