In 100 days, the NFL returns with a rematch of the 2019 AFC divisional playoffs as the Kansas City Chiefs host the Houston Texans.
Houston returns to the scene of the crime where they blew a 24-0 lead over the Chiefs only to find themselves on the wrong end of a 51-31 blowout. The dramatic loss led coach Bill O’Brien and his staff to look at the roster and determined that “layers” of productive players would help the team get out of mid-January.
Week 1 will be the first substantive look at Deshaun Watson and his new receiving corps. With DeAndre Hopkins now with the Arizona Cardinals, Watson will have a variety of receivers to choose from in Brandin Cooks, Will Fuller, Kenny Stills, and Randall Cobb. Stills was able to get behind Kansas City’s secondary for a big touchdown in the playoff game. Can the rest of the receiving corps similarly threaten the Chiefs’ defense?
New running back David Johnson will also be behind Watson to carry a few times as Lamar Miller and Carlos Hyde’s successor. Johnson is also known for his pass-catching skill set, which should add to the potency of the offense.
Second-year offensive coordinator Tim Kelly will also become the first person other than O’Brien to call plays since offensive coordinator George Godsey in 2016. Godsey was on the New England Patriots staff with O’Brien in 2011; they were from the same coaching tree but equals. Kelly has been an O’Brien disciple since 2012 at Penn State. Will Kelly continue O’Brien’s stale play-calling or bring a different feel to the game?
Anthony Weaver will also make his debut as defensive coordinator. It will be the first time since 2017 that someone other than Romeo Crennel will call the defensive plays. It worked out well for that year’s defensive coordinator, Mike Vrabel, as he parlayed the experience into a coaching gig with the Tennessee Titans the following year.
It is all 100 days away.