Wait over, NFL season to kick off
It has been a mere eight months since Patrick Mahomes led the Chiefs from a 24-0 hole to beat Deshaun Watson and the Texans in the divisional round of the playoffs, a brutally efficient comeback that ultimately propelled the Chiefs to their first Super Bowl title in 50 years.
A whole lot has changed, though.
The coronavirus pandemic effectively canceled the entire NFL offseason along with the preseason. That means their rematch at Arrowhead Stadium on Thursday night will be the first game for anybody since February. It also means the crowd at what is historically one of the toughest road venues in the league will be limited to about 17,000 fans.
The Texans no longer carry star receiver DeAndre Hopkins or leading rusher Carlos Hyde on their roster. Chiefs coach Andy Reid no longer carries around the heavy and ignominious tag of best coach never to win a championship.
“You have to expect the unexpected,” Mahomes said, “and that’s what we’re trying to do. We’re going to have a game plan for everything, and I’m going to make adjustments as quickly as possible so we can get off to a fast start. Hopefully.”
There are plenty of reasons for both teams to anticipate a good start.
Sure, the Texans offense underwent a dramatic makeover with the departure of Hopkins and Hyde, but in their place came receivers Brandin Cooks and Randall Cobb along with a healthy David Johnson at running back. And their defense has a healthy J.J. Watt, something they only enjoyed for about half of their games last season — and have missed far too often during his career.
“We have an opportunity going to the defending Super Bowl champs’ home stadium ... and compete with a great team. That’s what you want,” said Watson, who signed a four-year, $160 million extension last week. “This is the best opportunity you can have to start the season.”