Trent McDuffie previewed his upcoming showdown with Texans wide receiver Nico Collins. How did McDuffie fare in the first matchup?

If the Texans beat the Chiefs, it will be because of Nico Collins not CJ Stroud especially after his dominant Wild Card performance.

By clinching the AFC’s No. 1 seed early, KC had more than three weeks to rest starters. And as our columnist Sam McDowell has noted, coach Andy Reid typically makes the most of his extra prep time, going 29-3 in his career when he has a bye week and the opposing team doesn’t.

Kansas City #Chiefs defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo reveals concern covering Houston #Texans wide receiver Nico Collins | @EdEastonJr

ESPN commentator Troy Aikman high on Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud's 24-yard dot to wide receiver Nico Collins, "That's the throw of the day for him."

Texans wide receiver Nico Collins set franchise receiving yardage record against Chargers, but needs someone in receiving corps to complement him against Chiefs.

Chiefs safety Bryan Cook was evaluated for a concussion but was allowed to return to their playoff game against Houston on Saturday, while and Texans linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair hurt his knee and was questionable to return.

Houston’s 10-7 record was as much a function of playing in a toothless AFC South as anything else. The Texans offense took a step backward after 2023’s emergence. C.J. Stroud backslid, a robust receiving corps was waylaid by injuries and the team had exactly one regular season win over a fellow playoff team (in Week 5 over the Buffalo Bills).

Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud's accuracy is 100 on sideline dime to tight end Dalton Schultz in fourth quarter for 18 yards.

The Houston Texans won their Wild Card Playoff game, 32-12, over the Los Angeles Chargers. They will travel to Kansas City to take on the Chiefs in the Divisional Round of the 2024 Playoffs on Saturday, January 18, at 3:30 p.m. CT.