The Kansas City Chiefs (1-0) travel to take on the Houston Texans (1-0) on Sunday for the third time in the past year, and the Chiefs will be looking for their third straight win. They met in Week 1 of last season and also in the AFC Wild Card round last January.
Last week, the Texans defeated the Chicago Bears by a score of 23-14 to kick off their 2016 season, and we all know by now the impressive comeback victory the Chiefs had over the San Diego Chargers, overcoming a 21-point deficit in the second half to win 33-27 in overtime.
So as you get ready to watch the Chiefs try and pick up their second win of the season on Sunday afternoon, here are 10 stats to know heading into the game: 1. The Chiefs won decisively the last time they met
This should come with the caveat that it's a new year and the teams have different personnel, but it's still worth noting that the last time these two teams met, the Chiefs walked away with a 30-0 victory in the AFC Wild Card round—the most exciting win for the franchise in more than two decades.
In that game, the Chiefs defense forced 5 turnovers and allowed the Texans offense to gain just 226 total yards in the game. It was a dominating performance.
It's pretty safe to believe the Texans will be ready to play on Sunday considering the Chiefs ended their season last year. 2. New faces making plays for the Texans
The offense that takes the field for the Texans on Sunday won't look at all familiar to the one the Chiefs saw twice last year.
The Texans starting quarterback is now Brock Osweiler, who came over this past offseason after spending the first few years of his career with the Denver Broncos, running back Lamar Miller signed as a free agent from the Miami Dolphins and speedy rookie receiver Will Fuller was playing for the Fighting Irish of Notre Dame last year.
Last week against the Bears, Osweiler completed 22 of 35 passes for 231 yards with 2 touchdowns and an interception, while Miller ran the ball 28 times for 106 yards, and Fuller caught 5 passes for a team-high 107 yards and a touchdown.
They raised some eyebrows with their debuts last weekend.
The Texans do still have standout receiver DeAndre Hopkins, who caught 15 passes for 167 yards and 2 touchdowns in the two games against the Chiefs last year.
We'll also see a familiar face in starting right guard Jeff Allen, who spent the first four years of his career with the Chiefs. 3. In his career, Andy Reid has never lost to the Houston Texans (6-0)
Scoring first—104-33
Scoring 30-plus points—70-5
Leading at halftime—129-26
4. Spencer Ware's big week stands out
After just one week of the 2016 NFL season, Ware leads the NFL in yards from scrimmage with 199.
Last week against the Chargers, Ware had 129 yards receiving and 70 yards rushing. 5. Success along the offensive line
According to the fine folks over at Pro Football Focus, both left tackle Eric Fisher (No. 12) and right tackle Mitch Schwartz (No. 16) grade out well after the first week of the 2016 NFL season.
6. Alex Smith keeps chucking it
While the numbers are skewed because they were attempting (and succeeding) at a historic comeback, Smith has thrown more passes than any other quarterback in the NFL after one week.
Smith attempted a league-high 48 passes on Sunday, completing 34 of them, which is good for a 70.8 completion percentage, which currently ranks No. 5 in the league. 7. When Smith runs, the Chiefs also win
After his overtime heroics last week, Smith improved his career record to 9-0 in games in when he rushes for a touchdown.
8. A win on Sunday will put Andy Reid in esteemed company
As of right now and including playoff games, Andy Reid has 173 wins as a head coach, which has him No. 14 on the NFL's all-time list.
With a win on Sunday, Reid will move into a tie for 13th with his mentor, former Green Bay Packers and Seattle Seahawks head coach, Mike Holmgren.
For more on their relationship, check out "*A Life of Family, Football and Friendships: The Andy Reid Story*." 9. The importance of a Week 1 victory
Since 1978, when the NFL went to the 16-game schedule (and excluding the abbreviated season of 1982):
Of the 554 teams which won openers… 288 went to the playoffs (173 won division titles)
Of the 555 teams which lost openers… 134 went to the playoffs (77 won division titles) 10. The Texans' defense brought some pressure last week
Last week, the Texans had 12 quarterback hits on Bears' quarterback Jay Cutler, and 5 sacks, none of which came from All-Pro defensive lineman J.J. Watt.
Watt, who is coming off recent back surgery, still finished the game with a tackle and 3 quarterback hits.
Linebacker Whitney Mercilus led the way with 2 sacks and a forced fumble for Texans' defensive coordinator and former Chiefs' coach, Romeo Crennel.
