Kansas City Chiefs-Houston Texans: Keys to Wildcard game and who will win

Kansas City Chiefs (11-5)-Houston Texans (9-7): AFC Wildcard preview

Saturday, 4:35 p.m. ET, at NRG Stadium, Houston - TV: ESPN/ABC

*TV announcers: Mike Tirico, Jon Gruden, Lisa Salters

*Keys to the game: The Chiefs have an NFL-best 10-game winning streak and a Week 1 win in this stadium as feathers in their cap. Because the offensive line and QB Alex Smith are playing well, coach Andy Reid is in a definite comfort zone calling plays. Texans DE J.J. Watt and OLB Whitney Mercilus, who have a combined 29.5 sacks this season, could change that in a blink.

Kansas City will keep the ball on the ground to stay out of third-and-long spots where Watt wreaks havoc. WR Jeremy Maclin and TE Travis Kelce teamed up for the first time this season and Smith thrived with the ability to attack all levels of the field. The Texans can't sell out to get sacks. Reid will roll the dice once or twice, and Smith rushed for more than 500 yards during the regular season.

The Texans will try to get the football in the hands of WR DeAndre Hopkins to create yards downfield. They're committed to running the football and will incorporate Alfred Blue, Chris Polk, Jonathan Grimes and speedy rookie Akeem Hunt. Grimes came on late in the season and averaged 5.0 yards per carry. Kansas City's front seven is as solid as they come, and the return of OLB Justin Houston is reason for QB Brian Hoyer to perspire. He has been out twice this season with concussions and now takes the field without LT Duane Brown (torn quad).

*Matchup to watch - Chiefs CBs Marcus Peters and Sean Smith vs. Hopkins: On the first play of his NFL career, Peters picked off a pass by Houston QB Brian Hoyer, helping to set up the Chiefs' first touchdown of the game. Before the game was over, the Chiefs had their problems handling Hopkins, who caught nine passes for 98 yards and two touchdown passes. Hopkins finished the regular season with 111 receptions for 1,597 yards and 11 touchdowns.

*Player spotlight - Texans FS Andre Hal: One of the smallest safeties in the league at 5-10, 188 pounds, the converted cornerback is a physical tackler and a rangy center fielder who has smoothly adjusted to his new position. Last week, he picked Jaguars QB Blake Bortles for a third time this season.

*Fast facts: Reid is 5-0 all-time vs. Houston. ... The Chiefs led the AFC with a plus-14 turnover margin during the regular season. ... Watt led the NFL with 17.5 sacks and 29.5 tackles for loss in 2015.

WHO WILL WIN AND WHY

The healthier team with a more balanced offense, the Chiefs might not grab a three-score lead in this Week 1 rematch, but Kansas City gets its first playoff win in its past nine trips.

*Our pick: Chiefs 19-14.