Kansas City Chiefs Bench Offensive Starter Against Texans

As the Kansas City Chiefs prepare to host the Houston Texans in the AFC Divisional Playoff game, an intriguing lineup decision has been made at left tackle.

ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reports that the Chiefs will start Joe Thuney over D.J. Humphries for Saturday’s game.

Thuney, traditionally a guard, has transitioned to left tackle with notable success this season. His move came after D.J. Humphries suffered a hamstring injury in Week 14 against the Los Angeles Chargers, sidelining him until his return in Week 18 against the Denver Broncos.

Despite Humphries being fully recovered, the Chiefs’ coaching staff has elected to stick with Thuney due to his strong performance throughout the season.

Humphries, who played 94% of the snaps in his return game, remains a viable option should Thuney face difficulties during the match. Thuney’s previous experience at left tackle came in Week 16 when the Chiefs defeated the Texans 27-19, providing some context for their current strategy.

The Chiefs, entering the game as the AFC’s top seed with a 15-2 record, are not only looking to advance to the AFC Championship but also aiming to make history. They are on the cusp of becoming the first NFL team to win three consecutive Super Bowls.

A victory over the Texans would secure them a home game in the next round.

On the other side, the Houston Texans have already made headlines by upsetting the Los Angeles Chargers in the Wild Card round with a decisive 32-12 scoreline. As underdogs, they excelled in offense, defense, and special teams, proving they are not to be underestimated.

Game Details:

• Date: Saturday
• Time: 4:30 p.m. ET
• Venue: Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City
• Broadcast: ESPN and ABC, with commentary by Joe Buck and Troy Aikman.

This matchup promises to be a compelling chapter in this year’s NFL playoffs, with both teams bringing distinct narratives and high stakes into play. The Chiefs are banking on their strategic line adjustments to maintain their championship form, while the Texans aim to continue their surprising playoff run.

It will be interesting to see how the lineup change of Thuney being a starter of Humphries works out.