Matchups to Watch in the Kansas City Chiefs' Season Opener Against the Houston Texans

Today is the day we've all been waiting for, the day that's been circled on calendars since the schedule came out. The Kansas City Chiefs host the Houston Texans in NFL's season opener on Thursday Night Football.

As the Chiefs look to extend their 51-7 run against the Texans, here are a few things to keep your eye on if Kansas City plans to start the season 1-0.

For more in-depth discussions on what to watch for in the game, Arrowhead Report's Sam Hays joins me to preview the Chiefs' Week 1 contest on today's Roughing the Kicker podcast.

1. The Quarterback Showdown

While it's probably quite obvious, the two quarterbacks are the headliners of the game. Both signal-callers are coming into the contest after signing monumental extensions. The talent of both Patrick Mahomes and Deshaun Watson is exciting in itself without other storylines. I'm sure there will be plenty of points to go up on the scoreboard, and that's what we need after a tough two-thirds of 2020.

2. Chiefs Secondary vs. Houston Wide Receivers

The Texans are without star wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins after trading him this offseason, and the Chiefs will be without cornerback Bashuad Breeland due to a four-game suspension. How Kansas City addresses the absence of Breeland and handles the possibility of Houston spreading the ball out could be a deciding factor in the game.

3. Clyde Edwards-Helaire's Production

No one really knows how Edwards-Helaire's development is coming along in this abbreviated preseason besides head coach Andy Reid and company, and that could be a good thing. With no preseason tape on the Chiefs' first-round pick, his production could play a large role in Kansas City's gameplan.

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