Chiefs, Texans provide primetime must-watch

The Kansas City Chiefs are unbeaten, thinly such team in the NFL. The Houston Texans have won two of their last three games, including a 57-14 walloping of the Tennessee Titans on Sunday afternoon. The two now meet in NRG Stadium on Sunday night under the lights, with statements ready to be made.

For Kansas City, it has been in these spots before. Heck, it was in this spot on Monday night, playing in front of the nation on Monday night in a 29-20 victory over the Washington Redskins at Arrowhead Stadium. The Chiefs also played on a national stage in Week 1, taking on the New England Patriots on a night when the defending champs raised their fifth Super Bowl banner. Kansas City won going away, 42-27.

As for Houston, this is its second primetime game of the season. The Texans were able to win ugly over the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 2, earning a victory in Deshaun Watson’s first career start. Since, Watson has been nothing if not brilliant, throwing for 301 yards in a close loss to New England before exploding for 283 yards and four touchdowns last weekend.

All of that sets up for Watson to take on one of the best teams in the league. Everyone wants to see if Houston and its rookie quarterback can handle a team the caliber of the Chiefs, especially considering the circumstances. The Texans are sitting 2-2 and tied with the Titans and Jacksonville Jaguars atop the AFC South. A win here would validate them as a true contender in the conference for the first time since the best days of Matt Schaub. A loss would drop them to 2-3 and make you wonder whether or not Houston can make a real run toward January.

With the Chiefs, we know what this team is all about. With a win, they would go to 5-0 on the young campaign. Kansas City would continue to pad its lead in the tough AFC West over the idle Denver Broncos and an Oakland Raiders team without Derek Carr for at least two games. Additionally, the Chiefs would then hold tiebreakers over both the Patriots and Texans in their quest for home-field advantage throughout the AFC playoffs, something they have not enjoyed since 1997.

To this juncture, this is the best game we’ve had in primetime this season since the opener. The Chiefs and Texans are both being looked upon as legitimate threats to New England’s throne in the AFC, something that has typically only been challenged by injuries and Peyton Manning.

Come Sunday night, one team will make a statement, while another will see an opportunity go by the boards.