The Kansas City Chiefs officially kick off their postseason on Saturday afternoon. While their season technically began over four months ago with a matchup against the Baltimore Ravens in September, the true measure of success for the two-time defending Super Bowl champions lies in their playoff performance. In December, the Chiefs secured a 27-19 victory over the Houston Texans at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Quarterbacks Patrick Mahomes and C.J. Stroud shared a moment post-game, signaling the competitive spirit both teams bring into the postseason.
A Historic Rivalry Renewed
The Chiefs will face the Texans once again in the divisional round at Arrowhead Stadium. This game carries significant weight for both teams and rekindles a special history between the franchises.
As Brian T. Smith noted in an exclusive interview with talkSPORT, “The Chiefs and the Texans have a playoff history. You go back to 2019 where it really started with the Chiefs, and that was a 24-0 game that became 51-31. That was really the start of Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce, Andy Reid, and the dynasty.”
Key Players and Changes
The 2019 playoff clash featured Deshaun Watson and DeAndre Hopkins on the Texans’ side. Now, with C.J. Stroud and DeMeco Ryans leading Houston, the dynamics have shifted. For Kansas City, Hopkins has joined their roster, aiming to make a significant impact in the postseason.
As Smith observed, “At the time, that was a huge trade, and it feels like it’s paid off, but if it’s really going to pay off, it’s going to be in the playoffs for DeAndre Hopkins and the Chiefs.”
Preserving Hopkins for the Playoffs
YouTuber and lifelong Chiefs fan Cole DeRuse shared his insights on Hopkins’ role: “It’s interesting because they traded him for a fifth that could become a fourth if he played 60% of the snaps in the regular season and if the Chiefs made it to the Super Bowl. Well, he actually only played 49% of snaps in the regular season for the Chiefs after the trade. I think they’re preserving his body, implementing him into the system, and getting him ready for the playoffs.”
DeRuse expects Hopkins to take on a more significant role in the postseason, predicting his snap count to increase from 49% to as much as 70%.
He added, “I think we’re gonna see more from DeHop in the playoffs for sure. Especially, I mean, he just catches everything. It’s absolutely insane. He’ll catch everything, in the red zone, on third downs.”
Hopkins’ Regular Season Performance
In 10 regular season games with the Chiefs, Hopkins recorded 41 receptions for 437 yards and four touchdowns. While these numbers are solid, they fall short of the elite standards Hopkins has set throughout his career. The Chiefs will rely on him to elevate his game as they chase history.
The Return of Hollywood Brown
DeRuse also highlighted the importance of Marquise “Hollywood” Brown’s return: “The return of Hollywood Brown, a true man coverage beater, is going to help out people like DeHop, Kelce, JuJu, and others. With his speed, Brown is going to open up a lot of things, including opportunities for Hopkins to do what he does best. And that’s dominate at the highest point.”
Chasing a Historic Three-Peat
The Chiefs are on the brink of history, aiming to become the first team ever to win three consecutive Super Bowls. To achieve this milestone, they will need Hopkins to deliver vintage performances and Mahomes to continue his stellar leadership.
Looking Ahead
The Chiefs’ divisional round clash against the Texans marks the start of what could be another historic playoff run. With Hopkins and Brown set to play pivotal roles, the stage is set for Kansas City to solidify its dynasty.