Texans vs. Chiefs: Live Grades and Analysis for Kansas City

Kansas City's vaunted defense cranked up the pressure and suffocated Case Keenum in the second half. On Houston's final offensive drive, Tamba Hali rounded the corner like a raging bull and stripped Keenum to secure the Chiefs' seventh win of the season. 

Final

Houston - 16

Kansas City - 17

Position Unit	First-Half Grade	Final Grade
Pass Offense	B+	B
Run Offense	B	B-
Run Defense	B	A
Pass Defense	D+	B-
Special Teams	C-	B+
Coaching	B	A-

Game analysis for the Kansas City Chiefs

Pass Offense: Throughout the majority of the game, Alex Smith effectively picked apart the NFL's No. 1 passing defense, but he also tossed an interception in a critical juncture of the game. Overall, Smith connected on 68 percent of his passes for 240 yards and the aforementioned pick. 

Run Offense: The offensive line periodically paved lanes throughout the interior of Houston's 3-4 and, as expected, Jamaal Charles capitalized on them. However, he also fumbled deep in the Chiefs' territory, which ultimately resulted in three points for the Texans. 

Run Defense: The defensive interior continuously toppled Houston's offensive line in a key goal-line stand—the unit's second in three weeks. None of Houston's rushers surpassed 3.3 yards per carry.

Pass Defense: The Chiefs cornerbacks were repeatedly charred in the first half, but the group tightened the loose ends and clamped down in the final two quarters. Tamba Hali—who sealed the victory with his second strip of the afternoon—Derrick Johnson and Justin Houston flooded the Texans' backfield after halftime, constantly breathing down Case Keenum's neck. 

Special Teams: Quintin Demps strung a couple of ankle-breaking moves together for a 57-yard run-back, while Dexter McCluster electrified the crowd with a 26-yard punt return. A holding penalty nullified another long return by McCluster, though. 

Coaching: The offense was more productive than the final score would indicate, and Bob Sutton's variation of second-half blitzes stymied Keenum and company.

First-half analysis for the Kansas City Chiefs

Pass Offense: The offense has consistently provided a somewhat comfortable pocket for Alex Smith, and No. 11 has looked like a sharpshooter. In the Chiefs' second touchdown drive, Smith connected on eight of his nine attempts for 79 yards.

Run Offense: Jamaal Charles headlined several plays that evolved into long gains after he initially appeared trapped by the Texans' defense. Kansas City's elusive blur finished the first two quarters with 47 yards on 10 handoffs. 

Run Defense: Arian Foster re-aggravated his previously injured hamstring and returned to the sideline without pads. Dontari Poe dictated the line of scrimmage, and Ben Tate rarely discovered daylight.

Pass Defense: Houston's wide outs have continually burned Kansas City's cornerbacks before and after the catch. Case Keenum was surprisingly successful during his dropbacks. Bob Sutton would be smart to deploy more Cover 2 throughout the second half.

Special Teams: Dustin Colquitt uncharacteristically thumped a forgettable punt, which granted Houston a short field to work with. The kickoff return team struggled to create any creases for Quintin Demps.

Coaching: Andy Reid wisely assigned a healthy dose of double teams and chips on J.J. Watt, rendering him ineffective throughout most of the first half. 

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