With their season hanging in the balance at 6-6, the Kansas City Chiefs are heading into a critical Sunday night showdown against one of the NFL’s hottest teams: the Houston Texans. And if the Chiefs are going to keep their postseason hopes alive, they’ll have to do it without some key pieces up front - against a defense that’s been downright ferocious over the past two weeks.
Let’s start with the Texans. Houston’s defense has been lights out lately, holding Buffalo to just 19 points in Week 12 and Indianapolis to 16 in Week 13.
That’s not just good - it’s elite. They’re entering Week 14 ranked No. 1 in both points allowed and total yards allowed.
And if that doesn’t grab your attention, maybe this will: they sacked Josh Allen eight times in their Thursday night win over the Bills. That’s not just pressure - that’s domination.
Now, imagine facing that kind of heat with a patchwork offensive line. That’s the challenge Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs are staring down.
Kansas City could be without all three of their starting right-side linemen. Left tackle Josh Simmons is officially on injured reserve after wrist surgery.
Right tackle Jawaan Taylor is nursing triceps and knee injuries. And right guard Trey Smith is dealing with an ankle issue.
That’s a lot of muscle missing from the trenches.
Head coach Andy Reid said Wednesday that if Taylor can’t go, Jaylon Moore will step in at right tackle while Wanya Morris will take over on the left. It’s a next-man-up situation, and in this case, those next men will be going up against one of the most relentless defensive fronts in the league.
Mahomes knows exactly what that means.
“These guys have played,” Mahomes said during his Wednesday media availability. “We’ll go through the week and see where we’re at with the guys who are banged up, but you’ve got to respect what Houston’s defense is doing. They’ve got a great defensive line.”
And Mahomes isn’t just talking about holding up in protection - he’s talking about adjusting the entire offensive approach. That means quicker throws, leaning more on the run game, and when the opportunity presents itself, taking shots downfield with precision.
“You’ve got to get the ball out of your hands, run the football, and when there are shots, you’ve got to hit them,” Mahomes said. “You’ve got to stand in the pocket and make those throws - even against a defense like this.”
But it’s not just about Xs and Os. Mahomes emphasized that matching Houston’s intensity is just as important as any game plan.
“That’s the biggest thing,” he said. “Their D-line is good, their linebackers are good, and their DBs are good.
But what really makes them special is how hard they play. Every snap, they’re flying around, trying to force turnovers, make big hits.
We’ve got to match that energy.”
And Mahomes isn’t just talking - he’s walking the walk. With 348 rushing yards through 12 games, he’s on pace for a career-high in that category. He’s already shown he’s willing to use his legs when the pocket collapses, and he knows he’ll likely have to do it again Sunday night.
“This is a really good football team that’s playing really good football right now,” Mahomes said. “We’re going to have to throw everything out there and find a way to win. This is a big game for us - a chance to show who we are and who we believe we can still be the rest of the way.”
The Chiefs have been here before - backs against the wall, questions swirling, and the season teetering on the edge. But if they’re going to make a late push, it starts with this game. And it starts with Mahomes, behind a banged-up line, facing the NFL’s most disruptive defense.
Sunday night isn’t just another game. It’s a gut check.