Kansas City Chiefs have been ‘preserving’ secret weapon for playoffs, now it’s go time

The Kansas City Chiefs officially start their season on Saturday afternoon.

Of course it actually started over four months ago when they opened up against the Baltimore Ravens all the way back in September, but for the two-time defending Super Bowl champions, they are judged by what they do in the postseason.

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Thus, signaling the start of their actual season.

The Chiefs will take on the Houston Texans in the divisional round at Arrowhead Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

A game that is of the upmost importance to both teams, but also includes a special history between the two franchises.

One more so than the other.

In an exclusive interview with talkSPORT, Will Gavin and Brian T. Smith are joined by star YouTuber, and lifelong Chiefs fan, Cole DeRuse, to discuss the upcoming showdown, including one player who is ready to shine with Kansas City.

But first, Smith strolled down memory lane and recalled the moment the Chiefs dynasty had begun.

“The Chiefs and the Texans have a playoff history,” Smith said.

“You go back to 2019 where it really started with the Chiefs and that was a 24-0 game that became 51-31. That was really the start of Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce, Andy Reid and the dynasty.

“DeAndre Hopkins was part of that on the other side, and that’s when the Texans had Deshaun Watson. It’s all changed since then with C.J. Stroud and DeMeco Ryans, but how has Hopkins been adjusting, becoming a part of this offense?”

“At the time, that was a huge trade, and it feels like it’s paid off, but if it’s really going to pay off, it’s going to be in the playoffs for DeAndre Hopkins and the Chiefs.”

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DeRuse believes Hopkins’ time is now.

“It’s interesting because they traded him for a fifth that could become a fourth if he played 60% of the snaps in the regular season and if the Chiefs made it to the Super Bowl,” DeRuse said.

“Well, he actually only played 49% of snaps in the regular season for the Chiefs after the trade. And I don’t honestly think it was purely because of the draft pick.

“Some people will swear by that.

“I think they’re preserving his body. He’s 33, preserving his body, implementing him into the system, and just kind of getting him ready for the playoffs.

“I think he’s gonna go from seeing 49% of snaps to maybe as much as 70. I think we’re gonna see more of that.

“And then again, the return of Hollywood Brown, true man coverage beater, that’s gonna help out people like DeHop, Kelce, JuJu and others, so I think we’re gonna see more from DeHop in the playoffs for sure.

“Especially, I mean, he just catches everything. It’s absolutely insane. He’ll catch everything, in the red zone, on third downs.

“I’m very excited about that. I think it’s gonna be a great thing for the Chiefs offense.”

In 10 regular season games with the Chiefs, Hopkins had 41 receptions, for 437 yards and four touchdowns.

Good, but not great.

Especially not to Hopkins’ standards.

The Chiefs are chasing history, trying to become the first team ever to win three Super Bowls in a row.

If they are going to accomplish that, they will need Hopkins to be vintage Hopkins.

And as DeRuse mentioned, getting Brown back is going to be huge for Mahomes and the offense.

With his speed, Brown is going to open up a lot of things, including opportunities for Hopkins to do what he does best.

And that’s dominate at the highest point.