It was amazing to most observers that the Kansas City Chiefs were the NFL’s last remaining unbeaten team. No longer undefeated, it’s time to find out if the Chiefs are for real.
They will be looking to answer that question with a road victory over a strong AFC team when they visit the Houston Texans on Sunday.
Now one of eight teams in the league with one loss, Kansas City (3-1) will have to rely on its strong defense to overpower Matt Schaub and the Texans (3-2).
That defense has been impressive thus far under the guidance of defensive coordinator Romeo Crennel, who held the same position on the New England Patriots during their three Super Bowl wins last decade.
Crennel used a bend-but-don’t-break strategy with the Patriots and is doing the same with the Chiefs, who rank 16th in the league in yards allowed but have surrendered the third-fewest points.
The Chiefs kept the mighty Indianapolis Colts out of the end zone until late in the game last Sunday, finally surrendering a rushing touchdown with just over four minutes left in the 19-9 setback. Peyton Manning threw an interception and was held without a touchdown pass.
But as good as the defense has been, the offense has been almost that bad. Kansas City’s 77 points rank 19th in the league, and the team ranks 24th in total yardage. Most of the blame for that goes to the passing attack, which ranks 27th. Quarterback Matt Cassel is completing under 55 percent of his passes and has thrown four touchdowns against three interceptions in four starts.
Cassel’s inability to get the ball to top threat Dwayne Bowe - nine catches and one TD thus far - has put more pressure on the running game. Jamaal Charles and Thomas Jones have been up to the challenge, combining for 561 yards on 110 carries.
Those two will have a tough task against Houston, which ranks fifth in the NFL in rushing defense, allowing 79.6 yards per game. Cassel might have a chance to get going, however, as the Texas are last in the NFL against the pass, allowing 329.6 yards per game through the air.
That pass defense has put Houston into some holes, though the offense has been up to the task of bailing the secondary out more often than not this season.
Schaub led the NFL in passing yards in 2009 and ranks ninth so far in 2010 - his 1,233 yards are almost double Cassel’s 650. But Schaub is coming off a terrible start against the New York Giants last week when he was held without a touchdown pass and managed only 196 yards while throwing an interception in a 34-10 loss.
The setback dropped the Texans into an odd situation in the AFC South, where all four teams are tied at 3-2.