The Kansas City Chiefs and Houston Texans are scheduled to face off in the divisional round of the playoffs on Saturday, less than a month after the AFC’s two division winners met at Arrowhead Stadium in Week 16. Although both teams will have some peculiarities different in the rematch, a key game as Kansas City’s defense went KC’s way in December.
In that pre-Christmas matchup, the Texans’ passing game was controlled by cornerback Trent McDuffie and the Chiefs defense, except for a long touchdown to wide receiver Tank Dell. Unfortunately, as Dell was scoring, he collided with a teammate and suffered a season-ending knee injury. With veteran receiver Stefon Diggs already done for the year, the Texans’ passing game is even more reliant on wide receiver Nico Collins.
In the Texans’ win over the Los Angeles Chargers, Collins recorded seven catches for 122 yards and a touchdown, accounting for over 40% of quarterback CJ Stroud’s 282 passing yards.
On Tuesday, McDuffie spoke to the media and was asked what kind of challenge Collins would bring to Saturday’s game.
“I love going against players like that,” McDuffie said. “I call him a complete receiver. He’s big, he’s physical, he’s fast, good hands. His connection with CJ, you can tell, is at an all-time high. They’re clicking on all cylinders, and he’s their No. 1 Receiver. That’s really why you want to play this game: to face the best competition in a game that means a lot in the playoffs. I’m excited to face him knowing what he’s going to come in with. in this match, and. ready to go compete.
According to NFL ProfessionalMcDuffie was targeted seven times against the Texans in December, including four targets against Collins. On those four plays, McDuffie whiffed on two screens, allowed an eight-yard run and had an interception. Including negative yardage from screen plays, Collins had four targets against McDuffie, resulting in three catches for five yards and an interception.
