Chiefs preparing for both Texans QBs Davis Mills, Jeff Driskel | KCSN Daily 12.15
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The Chiefs face a unique challenge in Week 15 as the Texans are expected to continue to employ a two-quarterback system. They debuted the look against the Dallas Cowboys in Week 14, using Davis Mills and Jeff Driskel in different situations.
“Yeah, they have a unique 1-2 combo,” Chiefs S Justin Reid said on Wednesday. “Davis Mills (is) a little bit more of a pocket passer. The guy is very, very accurate whenever he’s able to get comfortable in the pocket. He delivers balls on rhythm timing. Then, Jeff Driskel, I kind of liken him to Taysom Hill. He’s a guy who can get gritty. A lot of QB option, (he’s) a physical runner with good speed. They’ve got a good 1-2 punch there that they’re trying to work.”
A big challenge for the coaching staff this week is ensuring that the defense is prepared for what they could see from both players.
“I’m not sure we’ve gone in knowing it was going to be a rotation,” Chiefs DC Steve Spagnuolo said. “You get in certain games and a quarterback gets hurt and you have to be ready for the backup, but listen, we’ve got to prepare for both of them. And, you know we have a No. 6 jersey (Jeff Driskel) out there in practice and a No. 10 jersey (Davis Mills).
“The players have to be aware of who is taking the snap because it looks like the football is different, Now that could change, they could expand the package with (Jeff Driskel) and do some different things with (Davis Mills). But it’s two quarterbacks that – I think, one of them is a really good athlete. And let’s not be fooled, he can still throw it. He didn’t throw it a lot last week, but that doesn’t mean he’s not going to line up and throw the ball this week.”
Knowing which of the two players is under center and their tendencies on a snap-to-snap basis will be pivotal as each quarterback has a skill set that will change the way the defense plays. At the same time, having a good game plan and making sure they’re executing their assignments regardless of which quarterback is taking the snap will be important too.
“We’ve got to be on target with what we do,” Spagnuolo said. “Sometimes when you have that it’s about what you’re doing and not as much about how they’re changing things. But we do have to be conscious about which guy is taking the snap.”
One on One - Chiefs getting through tough games with playoffs on the horizon:
Former Kansas City Chiefs linemen Jeff Allen and Mike DeVito break down the Chiefs' game against the Denver Broncos and talk about some of the struggles in it. Later the guys talk about a player's attitude at the end of the season and the Chiefs' potential.
Thursday Injury Report:
Chiefs:
DNP: None.
LP: WR Kadarius Toney (Hamstring).
FP: DT Derrick Nnadi (Achilles), DB Nazeeh Johnson (Hamstring), WR JuJu Smith-Schuster (Toe), QB Patrick Mahomes (Right hand), S Justin Reid (Shoulder), LB Nick Bolton (Groin), S Deon Bush (Elbow), RG Trey Smith (Knee), CB L’Jarius Sneed (Calf), OT Lucas Niang (Knee), CB Jaylen Watson (Hand), and RB Isiah Pacheco (Shoulder/Quad).
Texans
DNP: DL Taylor Stallworth (Calf), DB Derek Stingley Jr. (Hamstring), RB Dameon Pierce (Ankle), DB Steven Nelson (Foot), OL Justin McCray (Hamstring), and WR Nico Collins (Foot).
LP: WR Brandin Cooks and OL Kenyon Green (Ankle).
FP: DL Roy Lopez (Hip), DL Kurt Hinish (Shoulder), LT Laremy Tunsil (Illness), FB Troy Hairston (Chest), DL Maliek Collins (NIR), DL Jerry Hughes (NIR), and DL Mario Addison (NIR).
Key:
DNP (Did Not Participate), LP (Limited Participant), FP (Full Participant), NIR (Not Injury Related).
Notes:
Remember, the Chiefs are not required to list the practice participation of WR Mecole Hardman until he has been activated to the 53-man roster.
Tucker Franklin’s Week 15 picks:
KCSN Daily:
KCSN’s Tucker Franklin sits down with FanDuel TV's Matt Hamilton to talk about the Kansas City Chiefs upcoming matchup against the Houston Texans and the most interesting aspects of it.
Quotable:
“Yeah, you know Brandon (Williams) did a great job for coming in and he got familiar with the system, and he knows (Defensive Coordinator) Coach (Steve Spagnuolo) Spags. There’s some carry over but he did, he went in there and gave them some really good snaps. He was physical, did a great job down on the goal line. We brought him here to knock the run out, but he was in on a half a sack, so he did some good things, and we just know we want him to continue to get better.” - Chiefs DL coach Joe Cullen on DT Brandon Williams
“It’s good to have Lucas (Niang) back and working. I think he looks great. One of the things that we love about him is his athleticism, especially for such a big man. His feet look tremendous, his pass sets – he’s picked up right where he’s left off, he’s stayed into it mentally and been in all of our meetings, (he’s) a super sharp guy. I like the work that he’s been putting in, (he) looks good. Then DK, or (Darian) Kinnard, really has grown – we’ve seen him grow. He played the tackle position and then we’ve been getting him some more guard work. I think he’s got that kind of flex to whether he can play either or, but he’s taken to that guard position in there and looks great.” - Chiefs OL coach Andy Heck on Lucas Niang and Darian Kinnard
Quick Hits:
From Forbes: Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes is about to be the owner of another sports team. According to a recent report from Forbes, Mahomes is one of the latest athletes to invest in a Major League Pickleball team.
From practice: Speaking of Mahomes, he popped up on the injury report this week with an issue with his throwing hand. He’s participated in full during practice so far, but Arrowhead Pride’s Pete Sweeney spotted him with a wrap on his hand. It seems like he might have hurt his hand in this play in Week 14.
From an Anonymous NFL defensive coach: Nick Bolton has been a polarizing player in Chiefs Kingdom this season, but he appears to be well-respected in league circles. According to The Score’s Jordan Schultz, an anonymous NFL defensive coach had the following to say about him.
Important dates ahead:
Sunday, Dec. 18 at Noon CT - Week 15: Chiefs vs. Texans - NRG Stadium - Houston, Texas
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