FIVE CHIEFS TO WATCH
PATRICK MAHOMES 1
Strong-armed gunslinger from Texas Tech has an uncanny knack for making unconventional plays with a high degree of difficulty. A rare quarterback who can muscle throws anywhere on the field, Mahomes is extremely mobile, aware of coverage schemes and able to adapt to changing circumstances and go off-script to improvise. MVP from last year overcame some injury issues this year to manufacture another strong season.
TYRANN MATHIEU 2
Ball-hawking, aggressive safety left the Texans after one season to sign a threeyear, $42 million contract and has provided toughness and playmaking skills for a Chiefs defense that was once considered a weak link. Despite a lack of size, Mathieu is a hard-nosed, physical tackler who likes to crowd the line of scrimmage. Mathieu has made the Chiefs more of a wellbalanced team and has 75 tackles, four interceptions, and two sacks.
TYREEK HILL 3
Known as the Cheetah, Hill is one of the fastest, most explosive players in the game. Hill can break a game open as a deep threat. He has relatively modest statistics this year: 58 catches, 860 yards and seven touchdowns after a rocky offseason during which he had a lot of off-field issues and ultimately signed a new contract. Hill isn't a big guy, but he has the speed of a track star.
TRAVIS KELCE 4
A large, athletic tight end with the hands and routerunning skills of a wide receiver, Kelce is a difficult coverage assignment. He is Patrick Mahomes' unquestioned favorite target with 97 catches for 1,229 yards and five touchdowns on 136 targets. Kelce has 65 first downs and 430 yards after the catch. The Texans will build a large part of their game plan around trying to contain Kelce.
CHRIS JONES 5
Disruptive interior pass rusher was sidelined for the Texans' regular-season game. Jones is extremely difficult to stop inside because of his quick feet, array of pass-rushing moves, power and stamina. He has a knack for setting up blockers. Jones has nine sacks, one more than Frank Clark, along with 9½ tackles for losses, one forced fumble and a fumble recovery.