HOUSTON (SportsRadio 610) -- Defending Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce is much easier said than done.
Kelce is considered one of the best pass-catching tight ends in the game, an idea that was on full display the last time these teams played each other.
In the AFC Divisional Round earlier this year, Kelce torched the Texans for 134 receiving yards on 10 catches and three touchdowns.
Houston had no answer for Kelce, whether it was a safety, cornerback or linebacker covering the explosive tight end.
Texans first-year defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver said the teams that have any level of success against Kelce try to keep him uncomfortable, whether that’s chipping him with an extra defender, or putting multiple guys on him in man-to-man defense so he doesn’t get use to one particular matchup, or how a single player is attacking him.
“So, that’s going to be our goal – how best we can make him feel uncomfortable throughout the game so he just doesn’t go out there and feel like he’s running through the defense and can do whatever he wants,” Weaver said last week during a Zoom conference call. “I think just if you can attack him in multiple ways, multiple coverages, multiple people, you have a better chance.”
Texans head coach Bill O’Brien on Tuesday acknowledged Kelce is going to get his share of catches in Thursday’s season-opener.
The key will be bringing him down immediately when he catches and limiting the chunk plays he’s capable of with quarterback Patrick Mahomes.
Texans head coach Bill O’Brien on Tuesday acknowledged Kelce is going to get his share of catches in Thursday’s season-opener. The key will be bringing him down immediately when he catches and limiting the chunk plays he’s capable of with quarterback Patrick Mahomes.
“He’s just a great player,” O’Brien said. “He’s very instinctive. He’s very athletic. He’s got great hands. Excellent route runner. He can block. He’s one of the best in our league. We have tremendous respect for him. In the end, he’s going to have some catches. That’s football, the passing game and the rules which we all have to play under. He’s going to get his catches. We have to do a good job of tackling him and making sure we know where he is on every play. He’s a great player.”
The Chiefs are lethal in their 12 personnel sets (one running back, two tight ends). The formation has been around since the Paul Brown and Bill Walsh eras, allowing tight ends the flexibility to play at the line of scrimmage and outside.
O’Brien spoke earlier in the week about it being critical to identify personnel. The new wrinkle of adding rookie running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire makes things even more challenging. Chiefs head coach Andy Reid has compared the rookie to Darren Sproles.
Kansas City also has speedy receiver Tyreek Hill, who forms a dynamic duo with Kelce in the passing game.
“It’s definitely a mean one-two punch,” Texans safety Justin Reid said last week. “That’s what led them to be Super Bowl champions last season. Really, it just comes down to being aware of where those guys are on the field at all times. Making sure that you have an extra set of eyes on each of them and don’t let either one of them just plain and simply wreck the game. Just keep (Pat) Mahomes in the pocket as much as possible, have an eye out for those two guys, and everyone stay keyed to the fundamentals and do their job and limit the damage.”
Texans cornerback Bradley Roby said Kelce is one of the best route-running tight ends in the league who demands attention and respect.
“We’re going to get after him,” Roby said. “I’m sure he’s going to try to do his best versus us as well. We’re just going out there to compete.”