Where did the Kansas City Chiefs beat the Houston Texans? The trenches.
Sure, it helps that the Chiefs forced five turnovers but this game was one on the offensive and defensive lines.
It's hard to remember now but coming into this game one of the biggest story lines was how the Chiefs offensive line was going to stop JJ Watt, Whitney Mercilus and the Texans pass rush, which had been one of the best in the league. Andy Reid told the broadcast team before the game that they'll have something extra for Watt and I kinda laughed when I heard that. Everyone thinks they have something extra for Watt, and his 17.5 sacks this year shows it just doesn't work. Except it did with the Chiefs. Even before Watt's injury, he was a non-factor in this game. The Chiefs best players in this game, according to Pro Football Focus, were three offensive linemen.
Last year's starting right guard Zach Fulton replaced Mitch Morse at center and did a really good job. Donald Stephenson was playing right tackle in place of Jah Reid. Good thing Reid was ready because he had to step in and play right guard when Laurent Duvernay-Tardif left with a concussion. Did anyone notice any struggles with Reid? I didn't, which is especially impressive when you consider he's been a tackle all season, not a guard. Reid was so good, in fact, that I'm wondering if he shouldn't be the right guard next week in New England.
And how about Eric Fisher? The dude is getting nasty on the o-line, which is exactly what the Chiefs wanted.
Defensively, the Chiefs line play was excellent, too. Andy Reid said after the game that he felt the Chiefs sealed the game with Josh Mauga's interception on the goal line. That was a horrible pass by Brian Hoyer, yes. But the pass was so bad because Dontari Poe treated the center like a rag doll and was rumbling right to Hoyer as he had to threw it away - right into the arms of Josh Mauga, who ended up doing a spin move on his return. And you know if Josh Mauga is dropping spin moves on you, it's gone very, very wrong. (MNChiefsfan has more on this play later today so I won't go too far)
Allen Bailey had two sacks in the game, including one where he bull rushed his man back into the quarterback. I'm not sure if Bailey actually caused that fumble on Hoyer but I'm sure it didn't help that he was right there when the fumble came out.
The Chiefs did a lot of things against the Texans but the game was won in the trenches.