Chiefs Face Uphill Battle vs. Texans With Offensive Line in Crisis
If you’re Patrick Mahomes, this is just about the last thing you want to hear heading into a must-win game: both of your starting tackles are likely out, and you're about to face one of the most relentless pass rushes in football.
That’s the reality for the Kansas City Chiefs as they prepare for a massive Week 14 showdown against the surging Houston Texans - a team that’s made a habit of terrorizing quarterbacks all season long. And now, the Chiefs will likely take the field without Jawaan Taylor and Josh Simmons, their starting bookends on the offensive line.
Taylor is dealing with a triceps injury, while Simmons has landed on injured reserve after undergoing surgery on a dislocated wrist. That’s two huge losses at the worst possible time, and it forces Kansas City into a major reshuffle up front.
So what does the new-look line actually look like?
Head coach Andy Reid offered some clarity on Wednesday, saying, “We’ll see what happens with the injured guys first. But yeah, [Jaylon Moore would] probably be at the right tackle and Wanya [Morris] at the left if that’s the way it went.”
Texans’ Defense Isn’t Just Good - It’s Scary Good
Let’s be clear: this Texans defense isn’t just playing well - they’re dominating. Over their last three games, they haven’t given up more than 19 points. That’s not just pass rush pressure; that’s a complete defensive performance, front to back.
Houston’s defensive line has been feasting on opposing quarterbacks, and they’re doing it with speed, power, and depth. They don’t just bring pressure - they bring it from everywhere.
Edge rushers are winning one-on-ones, interior linemen are collapsing pockets, and the secondary is locking things down on the back end. It's a full-team effort, and it’s working.
That’s the challenge facing Mahomes and the Chiefs - a defense that doesn’t give you time, doesn’t give you space, and doesn’t give up points. And now, he’ll have to navigate that chaos behind two backup tackles.
Mahomes Needs to Be Mahomes - And Then Some
This isn’t just another game on the schedule. For Kansas City, this might be the turning point of their season. With playoff positioning hanging in the balance, the Chiefs can’t afford another misstep - and they’re stepping into one of the toughest environments imaginable.
Mahomes has pulled off magic before. He’s extended plays, dodged pressure, and turned broken pockets into highlight reels.
But this week, the margin for error is razor-thin. He’ll need to trust Jaylon Moore and Wanya Morris to hold up long enough for the offense to function - and that’s a massive ask against this Texans front.
The Chiefs are still the Chiefs - a team with championship pedigree, elite talent, and a quarterback who can change a game in a heartbeat. But this week, they’re walking into a storm. And if they want to keep their season alive, they’ll need to weather it like never before.