The Kansas City Chiefs are getting ready to face the Houston Texans at Arrowhead Stadium during the NFL season opener on Thursday. The Chiefs last faced the Texans in the AFC’s divisional round, defeating them 51-31 en route to Super Bowl LIV.

To learn more about Kansas City’s opponent, we spoke with managing editor Mark Lane over at Texans Wire and asked him a few questions.

Chiefs Wire: What is the biggest difference between this Texans team and the one that lost to the Chiefs in the divisional round of the playoffs?

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Mark Lane: A healthier offensive. I know the thing to do is point out DeAndre Hopkins, but it’s the offensive line. They’re returning the same five starters for the first time since 2011. Instead of the Chiefs’ pass rush getting to go against the turnstile of Roderick Johnson and Chris Clark at right tackle, they have to face arguably the best tackle from the 2019 NFL Draft in Tytus Howard. Houston can play much more ball control against Kansas City, which was the recipe for success in the Week 6 win that was also buried in the collective consciousness by the Chiefs’ 51-7 outscoring in the playoffs.

Chiefs Wire: What do Texans fans think of the growing rivalry between Patrick Mahomes and Deshaun Watson?

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Mark Lane: I don’t know that it really bugs them as much as the Brady-Manning rivalry. Let’s be honest. Brady is the kind of guy that everyone would want to see take a blindside hit and the ball flutter out. Mahomes is too likable of a guy. I think only Raiders fans would hate Mahomes, because they hate everything. First off, Mahomes is from the region, played Texas High School Football, was literally the only thing going for Texas Tech when he was in college, and he hasn’t disappointed. There isn’t even really a druthers element to Mahomes either, because Texans fans feel they have their guy in Watson. For now, it’s just a fun, enjoyable rivalry. If the Chiefs consistently are what keeps Houston down, they may start to hate Mahomes.

Chiefs Wire: Are there any unheralded players that made the Texans roster that Chiefs fans should know about?

Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports

Mark Lane:

Tight end Darren Fells: he can provide a big red zone target for Watson. Defensive end Charles Omenihu: he is a defensive end with a few inside moves to create pressure. Outside linebacker Jacob Martin: he had more sacks than Jadeveon Clowney last year and has grown in the Texans’ system. Inside linebacker Zach Cunningham: he is a sideline-to-sideline metahuman that led the AFC in tackles last year. Safety A.J. Moore: played 20 defensive snaps in his career but is a dynamic special teamer.

Chiefs Wire: Is Bill O'Brien's seat getting warm at all in Houston?

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Mark Lane: No. Like a grating talk show host, the audience hates him, but management is convinced he’s good for the ratings. The McNair family has gone all-in on the O’Brien Way. The only thing warm are Texans fans’ tempers as they wish he were fired.

Chiefs Wire: What's your prediction for Week 1?

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Mark Lane: I predict loose balls galore between both teams. Now, whether that shows up as fumbles in the stat sheet or drops when the film gurus go back and watch the tape, I think there are going to be ball security issues. These guys haven’t hit each other in seven months, and there is a difference between taking licks in practice and being tackled to the ground. Sure: ball carriers have been holding it high and tight in camp, not putting it on the turf, but these guys haven’t practiced hanging on to the ball as they’re going to the ground, which is a whole different situation. But I think it’s a seven-on-seven match between the two sides with Houston making a hell of a statement, 34-30.