Kansas City Chiefs vs. Houston Texans Playoffs 2016 preview: Spencer Ware, Charcandrick West emerging as matchup with Texans loom

Jamaal Charles in 2010. Wikimedia Commons/Jeffrey Beall

As the Wild Card Playoffs unfold, a rematch of a season opener takes place at the NRG Stadium when the Houston Texans host the Kansas City Chiefs this Saturday, Jan. 9. 

The Chiefs and Texans began the 2015 National Football League (NFL) regular season facing each other, with the Chiefs coming out victorious, 27–20. 

But during that time, Kansas City's offense relied heavily on quarterback Alex Smith and running back Jamaal Charles. 

Now, the Texans' defense must be ready since two more running backs started to emerge for the Chiefs in Spencer Ware and Charcandrick West. 

In a report by The Denver Post, it was mentioned that with Ware and West playing well, the Chiefs became one of the most productive running teams in the league. 

"It's nice to have different guys to come in who have different strengths and different vision and give the defense a different look," Smith said, according to the report. 

As their rushing department looks well, the receiving was dealt a major setback as leading receiver Jeremy Maclin suffered a hip injury in their win over the Oakland Raiders last Sunday. 

Maclin did not practice Tuesday but said after the game versus Oakland that he will play Saturday against the Texans.

Meanwhile, for the Texans, their postseason campaign will be without left tackle Duane Brown, whose season ended after suffering a left quadriceps injury in Sunday's victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars and is set to undergo surgery. 

Because of Browns' injury, Houston signed offensive tackle Andrew McDonald to the 53-man active roster. 

Aside from that, there is no other significant injury that the Texans must worry about as they are back in the playoffs after missing it for two consecutive seasons. 

Leading the Texans is quarterback Brian Hoyer who said in a press conference last Monday that it feels special being the one on the field and contributing to the team. 

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