Kansas City Chiefs defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo spoke with reporters on Wednesday about his game plan to slow down the Houston Texans’ offense this Saturday.
“They (Texans QB C.J. Stroud and Texans WR Nico Collins) look like they’re in complete synergy (meshes hands together), and not just those two and not just that wideout,” said Spagnuolo. “I think they have a tight end (Texans TE Dalton Schultz) that’s really effective, their slot receivers (Texans WR Tank Dell) really good, and then the running back (Texans RB Joe Mixon), who we saw a lot when he was in Cincinnati –boy, what a find he was for them and he – and not just as a running back. He catches the ball out of the backfield, too.”
The Chiefs defense held the Cleveland Browns to seven points in last Sunday’s 21-7 victory, registering a season-high six takeaways in the process. It marks the club’s first game with six or more takeaways since the team recorded eight takeaways vs. the New York Jets in a Week 3 game in the 2016 season.
“We hadn’t played the Texans since C.J. (Stroud) had gotten there, so we really hadn’t studied them other than seeing highlights and whatnot, but he’s as impressive as you had heard about people talking. (He’s) really poised for a second-year quarterback, and I think he just has a unique ability to move around in the pocket and still have his eyes downfield.” said Spagnuolo. “He makes a lot of plays slipping in and out of the pocket and finding an open receiver, and when a quarterback can do that, I think that’s pretty dangerous.”
The Texans have clinched a postseason spot this year and will likely host a wild-card game. Kansas City’s last home regular-season game will energize the defense, which will be looking to repeat last week’s performance.
