While some of us have been asking questions about the idenitity of the Kansas City Chiefs starting quarterback heading into Week 16, the team's upcoming opponents, the Houston Texans, have been clear all along. They're expecting to see (and are practicing to play against) Patrick Mahomes.
Coming into the week, Mahomes had been an injury concern for the Chiefs after suffering a mild high-ankle sprain in the fourth quarter of the team's win over the Cleveland Browns. Carson Wentz, the Chiefs' backup quarterback, came into the game in his absence and closed out the victory. From there, many fans and analysts wondered if Wentz might even get his first start as the Chiefs prepared to play 3 games in 11 days—including this short week against the Texans on Saturday.
There's no question for the Texans who is starting on Saturday for the Chiefs.
The Chiefs were back to practice this week, and Andy Reid stated that Mahomes would try to see what he could do with Wentz picking up the rest of work with the starters if needed. As it turned out, Mahomes was a full participant for the day at least. That's exactly what Houston is expecting.
Texans rookie safety Calen Bullock appeared on the Ross Tucker podcast this week and spoke about the team's preparation to visit Kansas City in Week 16. "We’re preparing for Mahomes. Patrick Mahomes, he’s the best in this era, so we know what he’s going to bring to the table," he said.
"For the back end, we know he’s going to extend plays. We know he’s gonna try to make something happen so we’ve gotta be sticky and have great eyes. We call it ‘plastering’ when the quarterback gets out of the pocket. We know Mahomes, he makes talented throws so we’ve gotta do our job in the back end and count on our guys on the front end to do their job."
@battleredblog @TheTexansWire @StephStradley @kristieAP @ArrowheadPride @ArrowheadLive @ArrowheadAddict
— Ross Tucker Podcast (@RossTuckerPod) December 18, 2024
Last Sunday, Bullock was in the news for delivering an illegal (and scary) hit on Miami Dolphins wide receiver Grant DuBose. On the play, Bullock went to make the tackle and led with his helmet, which collided with DuBose's head as well. The safety was flagged for unnecessary roughness while DuBose was taken off on a stretcher after being attended to by trainers for several minutes.
The good news for DuBose is that he was later reported to have feeling in all of his extremities, but the Dolphins placed him on injured reserve, so he will be out for the rest of the season.
Bullock responded after the game that the hit wasn't intentional. “My intentions was never to go out and hurt nobody, that’s never any of our intentions,” Bullock said. “So, prayers out to him and his family. I hope he’s good. I was just seeing the ball and I was breaking on the ball and it just happened to be one of those type of plays.”
The Texans and Chiefs will take the field at noon C.T. on Saturday, December 21.