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Chiefs at Texans: 3 things we learned

By Russell S. Baxter

Sep 18, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Texans wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins (10) makes a reception as Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Steven Nelson (20) attempts to make a tackle during the third quarter at NRG Stadium. The Texans won 19-12. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 18, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Texans wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins (10) makes a reception as Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Steven Nelson (20) attempts to make a tackle during the third quarter at NRG Stadium. The Texans won 19-12. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Houston Texans defense rose up on Sunday and stifled the Kansas City Chiefs in a 19-12 win. Here are three takeaways from that contest.

A year ago, the Houston Texans opened the season 0-2 but rallied to win the AFC South with a 9-7 record.

This season, Bill O’Brien’s squad has won its first two games, the latest a 19-12 victory over the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday at Houston.

The Texans played opportunistic defense, kept the Chiefs out of the end zone all afternoon and exacted a little revenge for last season’s two home losses to Kansas City.

So what did we learn from this playoff rematch? It’s as easy as 1-2-3.

1. Texans dig the long ball

Don’t worry. Brock Osweiler and the Texans haven’t abandoned the ground game. Far from it, as a matter of fact. On Sunday, running back Lamar Miller totaled 25 carries – the second-highest total of his five-year career, topped only by last Sunday’s 28 attempts.

But in the first quarter, Osweiler connected downfield with rookie Will Fuller for 53 yards and a few moments later on a different drive hit DeAndre Hopkins from 27 yards out for a score. Late in the third quarter, he found the Pro Bowl wideout down the middle for another 35 yards.

The Houston attack is already looking very balanced with all of its new faces and the addition of Fuller enables them to stretch the field even more. It may be a long year for Houston defenders trying to stop this team deep.

2. Marcus Peters not a one-year wonder

In last Sunday’s comeback win over the San Diego Chargers, Chiefs’ second-year cornerback Marcus Peters totaled three tackle and knocked down a pass in the 33-27 overtime victory. It was far from an inspiring start to the year for the 2015 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year.

But the sticky-fingered defender was back at it again on Sunday despite a tough loss at Houston. The Chiefs defense allowed only one touchdown in the 19-12 setback and it might have been worst if not for the league’s co-interception leader of a year ago.

Peters rolled up seven total stops, knocked down a game-high four passes and picked off Houston quarterback Brock Osweiler twice (once in the end zone) to keep his club in the game. With veteran Sean Smith off to Oakland in free agency this offseason, there were questions on whether the 2015 first-rounder would hold up after getting a little more attention to his side. But so far so good for the young defender.

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3. The Texans defense is alive and very well

As you will recall, the Houston defense was the major catalyst for the team’s 7-2 finish of a year ago.

That unit has picked up where it left off last season and looks even better, albeit it is only two games.

You will recall that the Texans spotted the Chicago Bears a 14-10 halftime lead in Week 1. In their last six quarters, Romeo Crennel’s unit has not allowed a touchdown, blanking the Bears and limited the Chiefs to four field goals on Sunday.

O’Brien’s squad has allowed a combined 26 points during their 2-0 start. The defense has already picked up nine sacks while the Texans have forced four turnovers – three of those on Sunday at the expense of Kansas City.

Houston’s front-seven is playing some serious football out of the gate and this group appears primed for some big things this year.

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