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SDOGO · 09-07-2007, 03:30 PM

Game-day details
Sun., 1 p.m. ET, Reliant Stadium

Why To Watch

After a summer of dramatic events, including being stars of the training camp reality show "Hard Knocks", coach Herman Edwards and the Chiefs travel to Houston with some questions remaining. Will running back Larry Johnson be at full speed after his 25-day holdout? Can starting quarterback Damon Huard pick up where he left off last season, or did Edwards make a mistake by choosing to bench young Brodie Croyle?

The Texans open the season at home with a new quarterback and an air of confidence. Young gunslinger Matt Schaub is ready to prove he has the tools to take the leap from NFL backup to NFL starter. With the team's new feature back, Ahman Green, and its established star wide receiver, Andre Johnson, at Schaub's disposal, Houston's offense may finally be ready for liftoff.

Chiefs Keys For Success

1. Make Larry Johnson earn his bigger, fatter paycheck. The Chiefs' motto in Week 1 should be to run, run and run some more to help set up the pass. Even after carrying the ball an NFL record 416 times last year, Johnson, because of long camp layoff, has fresh legs that will ready to be used often. It is time for him to earn his keep -- and his money. By running the ball down the Texans' throat, they will be less likely to blitz Huard. That will open up opportunities in the play-action passing game.

2. Double-team Andre Johnson. Cornerback Ty Law has the size and strength to redirect Johnson in coverage, but he will need safety help to handle Johnson's speed. Fellow Chiefs veteran corner Patrick Surtain is just the opposite. He will be able to run with Johnson, but he cannot contain him physically. Taking away Schaub's go-to-guy will make him pat the ball a few times and look elsewhere. Ask David Carr how that feels behind a similar Texans offensive line.

3. Punt away from rookie Jacoby Jones. Chiefs punter Dustin Colquitt has a powerful leg, but he does not need to test the Texans' speedy rookie in Week 1. Jones is an absolute burner with an impressive first step and ample vision. Every time the ball is in his hands, he can be a momentum changer -- either with a drastic change in field position or with six points. Moreover, he doesn't get tired easily. Rumor has it that no Texan conditions himself better for game play than the young Jones, who also needs to be watched closely in three- and four-receiver sets.

Texans Keys For Success

1. Force Huard out of the pocket. The Texans' defensive linemen will slant and stunt inside in an effort to get Huard out of his comfort zone: the pocket. Trent Green is gone, Croyle got most of the snaps in camp and stalwart guard Will Shields retired. Huard has not been hit in a game that counts in a long time, and his mobility may be questionable for Week 1 with the calf injury he's battling.

2. Create manageable third-down situations. Running the ball effectively with Green on first and second down and not forcing the ball downfield in passing situations will give Houston its best chance to consistently move the chains. The Chiefs' linebackers -- Derrick Johnson, Napoleon Harris and Donnie Edwards -- all excel in pass coverage. Throw in Law and Surtain from the corners, and teams should have a tough time converting third-and-longs against the Chiefs all season long. Schaub needs to take advantage of both Green and tight end Owen Daniels in the passing game to help keep third down manageable.

3. Slow down Tony Gonzalez. Defensive ends Mario Williams and Anthony Weaver must attempt to redirect the Chiefs' tight end on every snap. The Texans' linebackers also will try to jam Gonzalez within five yards of the line of scrimmage. Gonzalez still serves as Huard's security blanket. With the season-ending foot injury to starting strong safety Glenn Earl, the Texans must help his backup, Jason Simmons. Gonzalez (6-5) dwarfs Simmons (5-9) by eight inches

When the Chiefs Have the Ball

RUNNING GAME

The Chiefs are going to run the ball right at the Texans. Larry Johnson will get the ball and run hard between the tackles. Speedy Michael Bennett is Kansas City's threat to run outside. Houston has two first-round draft picks on its defensive line, Mario Williams and Amobi Okoye, who will need to stay low and penetrate the Chiefs' offensive line. Hall-of-Fame bound Chiefs guard Will Shields retired, and his replacement -- John Welbourn -- used to be a tackle. Houston will do their best to keep the linemen off middle linebacker DeMeco Ryans. Ryans and fellow linebackers Morlon Greenwood and Danny Clark must play the run first. Also, expect to see a safety in the box on most first downs. Free safety C.C. Brown is much better against the run than against the pass. Advantage: Chiefs

PASSING GAME

The Chiefs' passing game is dormant without a running game. Damon Huard will rely on play-action passes, primarily to his favorite target, tight end Tony Gonzalez, if the running game is productive. On every snap -- run or pass -- the Texans need to jam Gonzalez at the line of scrimmage. Due to his age and calf injury, Huard is not very mobile. He will be a sitting duck in the pocket. Houston will stunt their defensive linemen, create confusion in the blocking scheme and shoot linebackers through the gaps. By sending pressure, corners DeMarcus Faggins and Dunta Robinson will be placed in more man coverage than usual. Eddie Kennison and Samie Parker are above-average NFL receivers, but neither scares the Texans. Without a deep threat to worry about, the Texans will frequently keep a safety in the box. Advantage: Texans

THE BLITZ

Houston's defensive coordinator, Richard Smith, will roll the dice this week. He will send more run blitzes on first down to increase the probability of third-and-longs. The Chiefs' first-team offense has not taken very many snaps together. The Texans will do their best to add pressure and create turnovers. Larry Johnson's pass protection skills will be tested early, and so will Huard's read and recognition abilities. Kansas City's offensive line is not ready for the speed and confusion the Texans' front seven will send. Advantage: Texans

IN THE RED ZONE

Johnson is as good as it gets in the red zone, and Gonzalez creates instant mismatches all over the field. The Texans have no answer for either one. If Kansas City gets into the Red Zone, they will score touchdowns. Advantage: Chiefs

When the Texans Have the Ball

RUNNING GAME

The Texans will attack with Ahman Green and Ron Dayne. Green is the faster back, and he will try to stretch the Chiefs defense and find room behind the Texans' zone-blocking scheme. Green's former head coach in Green Bay, Mike Sherman, is now the offensive coordinator in Houston. Sherman and head coach Gary Kubiak both love the zone-blocking scheme. Kansas City runs Herm Edwards' Tampa 2 defense, which prides itself on speedy linebackers and tough, physical corners in the flat. Houston's zone play should not be very effective because the offensive linemen do not have the athleticism to reach linebackers Donnie Edwards, Derrick Johnson and Napoleon Harris on the second level. Although fast, the Chiefs' linebackers are not heavy and fail to consistently fill running holes at the line of scrimmage. The Texans should find some success running up the middle with powerful back Ron Dayne. New defensive tackle Alfonso Boone will need to hold his ground against the double teams of center Mike Flanangan and right guard Fred Weary for the Chiefs to prevail in the trenches. Advantage: Chiefs

PASSING GAME

Matt Schaub must stay in the pocket and take what KC gives him. Herm Edwards will not let the unproven QB sit in the pocket relaxed. He will send pressure on second and third downs and force the ball out of Schaub's hand. The burden will fall on the offensive line's shoulders. The Tampa 2 coverage will force Schaub to be disciplined and find the "hot" receivers, check down to his running backs and hit crossers in stride. Wide receiver Andre Johnson has made a living catching drag routes and slants, and this game will be no exception. TE Owen Daniels should get many opportunities to exploit the Chiefs' greatest weakness: their safeties. With only one year's experience, Jarrad Page and Bernard Pollard each have some growing up to do. Expect Schaub to find time, attack the middle of the field and move the chains. Advantage: Texans

THE BLITZ

In two years, Edwards has transformed the Chiefs' defense from slow and passive to fast and aggressive. He will blitz outside linebackers Derrick Johnson and Donnie Edwards, and he will test the Texans' pass protection. Matt Schaub cannot hold the ball long -- like David Carr used to -- or else he will be sacked early and often. Running backs Green and Dayne have to step up and hit the speedy linebackers at the line of scrimmage. Tackles Ephraim Salaam and Eric Winston will struggle to pick up the blitzes in Week 1. Advantage: Chiefs

IN THE RED ZONE

Ty Law and Patrick Surtain both stand 5-11. Andre Johnson is 6-3 and has the courage to go up and get any pass thrown his way. Opposite of him is 6-3 Kevin Walter. The fade route will be thrown inside the red zone. Houston can also line up in the I-formation and play smash-mouth football with Dayne. Kansas City does not play well at the line of scrimmage. Advantage: Texans

THE BLITZ

Houston's Defensive Coordinator, Richard Smith, will roll the dice this week. He will send more run blitzes on first down to increase the probability of third-and-longs. The Chiefs' first-team offense has not taken very many snaps together. The Texans will do their best to add pressure and create turnovers. Larry Johnson's pass protection skills will be tested early, and so will Huard's read and recognition abilities. Kansas City's offensive line is not ready for the speed and confusion the Texans' front seven will send. Advantage: HOU

The Bottom Line

Optimism takes off in Houston this weekend. Huard, Larry Johnson and the Chiefs will start off sloppy, fall behind early and come up short on the road. Schaub should play well enough to give Texans fans something to cheer about -- if he doesn't turn the ball over.

Pick: Texans 27, Chiefs 23