It takes only one week to instantly change the whole face of the NFL week 6 Texans at Chiefs free pick. Before the week 5 games, this Houston at Kansas City meeting would have been chalked up to an easy win for the home team. Then the Texans went out and destroyed Atlanta while the Chiefs were upset at home by the Colts while only scoring 13 points.
The Chiefs are still listed as -4 favorites in this one, but that’s down from a -8.5 open. 68% of the public still likes Kansas City but a Houston outright win wouldn’t be a surprise after last week’s games.
Texans Set to Throw the Ball All Over the Field?
The calls heard last week were “Houston, we have an offense” after the Texans beat Atlanta 53-32. In two of the three weeks prior the Texans were held to 13 points or less. That thumping of the Falcons was at home though, and it appears Atlanta might not be that good. The Texans have lost to the Saints, but have beaten the Chargers in their two away contests this year.
The star last Sunday was far and away Deshaun Watson. He was an astounding 28/33 for 426 yards and 5 TD. The way the Colts beat the Chiefs last week was obviously with defense in a 19-13 win, but also a ground game that ran the ball 45 times for 180 yards. Houston has a top 10 rushing offense to go with that explosive combo of Watson and Deandre Hopkins, but also Will Fuller who had 14 catches for 217 yards and 3 TDs vs. Atlanta.
When you play the Chiefs, you have to play defense. Houston is actually 25th defensively vs. the pass on the season and despite the win allowed a pretty good day to Matt Ryan last week (32/46, 330, 3/1). Phillip Rivers has a 318 yard, 2 TD game vs. the Texans this year and Drew Brees tossed for 370 back in the opener.
Health on Kansas City’s Side
Doctors had good news for Any Reid’s team ahead of the NFL week 6 Texans at Chiefs free pick. First, Patrick Mahomes seems ‘good to go’ after aggravating an ankle injury last week that severely hampered his performance against the Colts. Second, Tyreek Hill was cleared to play after being injured in the season opener vs. the Jaguars. That’s a big boost for the already-ranked-number-one Chiefs passing offense.
About Mahomes, the Chiefs scored just 13 points last week but the MVP still threw for 321 yards and a TD. KC had no running game though with just 14 carries for 36 yards. Lesean McCoy is questionable Sunday with an ankle injury and Sammy Watkins is doubtful with a hamstring which makes Hill’s return even more important. Houston ranks 12th in the league in rush defense.
The Texans were sacked 6 times two weeks ago vs. Carolina and Kansas City needs to try and get some of that same pressure on Sunday. The Arrowhead Stadium crowd dropped the ball last Sunday night vs. Indianapolis, but they should be revamped and rowdy in a little bit cooler of a day at 56 degrees. KC must find a way to stop the run, especially against Houston’s Carlos Hyde who was on the Chiefs roster before being traded in training camp.
NFL Week 6 Texans at Chiefs Free Pick
These two teams should be able to run up and down the field on each other. Houston can’t stop the pass and the Chiefs are terrible vs. the run. The spread is a tough one to call though. The Texans winning outright wouldn’t be a surprise, neither would the Chiefs bouncing back from a loss with a 13+ point victory. Ultimately though, the points seem to be the way to go.
Pick: Texans +4
