Arrowheadlines: Chiefs News 10/17

Game Day! Your Kansas City Chiefs news is gathered here for your enjoyment. Looks like the dome will be closed in Houston, since the high is expected to be above 80. Lots of good stories are waiting ahead, so get to reading. Go Chiefs!!

Both teams gave up draft picks to make a backup quarterback their starter, with Houston acquiring Matt Schaub in 2007 and the Chiefs getting Matt Cassel in ’09. Both coaches selected a defensive end with their first draft picks — Mario Williams to Houston as the No. 1 overall pick in ’06, and Tyson Jackson at No. 3 last year for the Chiefs. Both organizations underwent top-to-bottom house-cleanings, with a new coach and general manager hired the same year, and both vowed to alter a culture of losing.

"We were going to have some rough times," Kubiak says, "but knew in the long haul that it was the best thing to do."

Double vision: Chiefs can look at Texans and see how to build a contending team from KC Star

Matt Schaub took a quantum leap forward as an NFL quarterback last season, vaulting to the top of the league’s statistical charts in multiple categories and landing in the Pro Bowl. For added measure, he made himself that star-studded game’s Most Valuable Player.

When you are so far up, it’s easy to fall down, especially when you are getting frequently knocked down by blitzers and bull-rushers as Schaub has been. Five games into this season, his performance has mirrored that of the 3-2 Texans — a decidedly mixed bag as the surprising 3-1 Kansas City Chiefs come to town today.

Schaub's not under pressure from The Houston Chronicle

Today: Mostly sunny, with a high near 86. Calm wind becoming southeast around 5 mph. 

Game Day Forecast from The National Weather Service

Bottom line

Another game that’s difficult to call, mostly because of Houston’s up-and-down season. The Chiefs have held a couple of high-scoring opponents to fewer than 20 points, so there’s no reason that can’t happen again. The question is whether the Chiefs, who don’t have an offensive touchdown in two road games, can score enough to win. The guess here: They can’t. Prediction: Texans 20, Chiefs 17

Chiefs-Texans scouting report from KC Star

The Chiefs' weak passing offence may be just what the Texans need to regain some confidence. Kansas City has not produced an offensive touchdown in two road games and ranks 27th in yards passing (158 per game).

Matt Cassel has been sacked only three times, but ranks 30th in completion percentage (54.7). Haley said he's judging Cassel more by the Chiefs' record than his individual statistics.

"The quarterback is as responsible as anybody else in outcome of football games, and the No. 1 thing that I'm looking for in my quarterback is what the final result is," Haley said.

Chiefs, Texans seek bounce-back performances following losses from The Canadian Press

I'm on my way to Houston to see the Kansas City Chiefs play the Texans.

I'm excited to see Kansas City for the first time since a big Week 1 win over the Chargers...

...Please check back for pre, in and postgame coverage from Houston, in addition to coverage of the three other games involving AFC West teams Sunday.

Houston-bound from ESPN

Irrefutable Bottom Line: Texans 23, Chiefs 17

The Texans' offense is now is a two-edged sword, thanks to Foster, and will overpower the Chiefs' resistance. BWD likes the fight in KC, but we fear Schaub and Johnson more.

Mammoth match of the weekend: Chiefs vs. Texans from The Washington Times

One of the things that stood out from watching the Kansas City Chiefs last week is how outside linebacker Tamba Hali and defensive lineman Glenn Dorsey have adapted to the 3-4 scheme. Both were drafted for the 4-3 scheme preferred by the Chiefs' previous regime, but they look like good examples of how a scheme change can still bring out the best in players. It also helps to have a top-notch coordinator like Romeo Crennel.

Quick-hit thoughts around NFL & Pats from ESPN Boston

Kansas City Chiefs running back Thomas Jones has made a $10,000 donation to the Lynch Memorial Fund at the Beckley Area Foundation.

Established by the Oak Hill/Collins High School Alumni Association, this memorial scholarship honors William Roosevelt "Coach" Lynch, an Oak Hill native, former Collins High standout athlete and coach at Oak Hill High and Collins Middle schools. This fund will provide scholarships for students to attend West Virginia University's basketball camp.

NFL player gives $10,000 to Lynch Memorial Fund from The Beckley Register-Herald

People from across the country joined in the hunt, including Ted McKnight, former Kansas City Chiefs running back, who claimed one pheasant as of Saturday noon (though he joked a few wounded might still be in the field and will make a good supper for some critter). When he was told the purpose of supporting the Cancer Center and the soldiers, he said "it was way too difficult to turn down."

Heroes hunt: Event supports Bismarck Cancer Center, soldiers from The Dickinson Press

What a win would mean: Although their gritty effort in Indianapolis fell a little short, the Chiefs are now more respected as a legitimate playoff-caliber team. In another road challenge against an AFC South power, they can show their revamped team is for real. "This game is the biggest game that we all have been in together as a group," coach Todd Haley said.    

Look Who's Leading a Division from The Sporting News

Despite the hype, the Texans are the same mediocre team they have been, and they're a Kansas City team that is better than advertised. The Chiefs have an excellent ball-control offense that is outrushing opponents by 68.3 yards a game, and a line that protects Matt Cassel, who has been sacked only three times. Kansas City is doing everything right and has become one of the league's most fundamentally sound teams.

BREAKDOWN: KELSO STURGEON: Miami can exploit Pack's injury mess from The Las Vegas Register-Journal

The most obvious difference is that colleges are producing top returners and teams are using high draft picks to secure them. The Bears' Devin Hester, a second-round draft pick in 2006, is the poster child for this approach, and his use on offense has been limited by a desire to keep him fresh for returns. This year, the Kansas City Chiefs used a second-round draft pick on Dexter McCluster, a wide receiver who is being used primarily for his return skills (he has returned a punt for a touchdown).

Kick Returns Facing Weakened Resistance from The New York Times

Matt Schaub, QB, Houston -- OK, this may be a bit of a homer pick, but I expect Schaub to struggle against Kansas City today. His top target -- Andre Johnson -- will match up against underrated cornerback Brandon Flowers, who, on paper at least, is actually having a more impressive year than Darrelle Revis did with the Jets last year. Just ask Philip Rivers and Peyton Manning how tough it is to pass against the Chiefs.

Fantasy Adviser: Making the tough calls for Week 6 from The Island Packet

A few days after that third game, an impotent loss to the hated Chiefs, Snake walked into Madden's office. "We were struggling, and he was pissed," says Madden now, with a laugh. "He said, 'I don't want to wait until the game is over and have to do the mop-up s---.' He thought he should be the starter.

"`Well, you have to do something' I told him. `You're not going to come in here and talk me into starting you. You have to show me. You have to show the team that you should be the starter. What are you doing? You're not showing anyone."

The legend of Kenny Stabler from Sports Illustrated