Texans vs. Chiefs 2013, Week 7: Live coverage, score updates and more

Joel Thorman of Arrowhead Pride showcased his total disbelief after looking at the AFC West standings:

Over at Battle Red Blog, the talk centers around who should be the quarterback coming out of the Texans’ bye:

The Texans linebacker entered Week 7 with 44 tackles in six games, and was on pace for 117 tackles -- which would have been the highest since Cushing’s rookie season in 2009. Injuries have plagued him during the last two seasons, and it remains to be seen how quickly he can bounce back from this latest ligament tear.

• NFL Week 7 updates, highlights and GIFs | Live NFL scoreboard

Taking a page out of Ryan Fitzpatrick’s book, Smith catches the batted pass himself and tries to make something happen before being tackled for a loss. It’s a valiant effort, but the key to “the Fitzpatrick” is making the play work on the goal line.

Better luck next time Alex.

In the third quarter, the Texans got the ball back on a fumble by Charles. Garrett Graham took a pass from Keenum down to the 1-yard line, but Kansas City made a big goal-line stand and the Texans were forced to settle for a field goal.

Jamaal Charles continued his steady production for fantasy owners, recording 123 total yards on 24 touches.

Keenum was already popular among hometown Texans fans after setting college records at the University of Houston. If he’s able to pull off the upset win today, it will be that much harder for the coaches to re-install Schaub as the starter.

• NFL Week 7 updates, highlights and GIFs | Live NFL scoreboard

Cushing’s left leg bent back awkwardly when he was hit low while attempting to rush the passer. He’s been ruled out for the game.

He was later carted off the field and taken to the locker room.

Tate went down early in the third quarter after a carry. The nature of his injury is not known at the moment, but he was spotted rolling around on the field in pain. He later walked off the field under his own power, but ended up only missing one drive. He came back into the game later.

• NFL Week 7 updates, highlights and GIFs | Live NFL scoreboard

The zone read is the NFL’s hottest craze right now. Defenses just haven’t yet figured out how to stop a situation where the quarterback could either run or hand it off to a running back.

It even managed to be effective for the Chiefs, even with a relatively slow running back in Alex Smith, and, um, no running back:

• NFL Week 7 updates, highlights and GIFs | Live NFL scoreboard

• Arian Foster aggravates hamstring injury

• NFL Week 7 updates, highlights and GIFs | Live NFL scoreboard

• NFL Week 7 picks: Guts and brains | Watchability

Sunday’s Kansas City Star topped off a mostly penguin-themed front page by teasing a sports section piece about the Chiefs’ “sack-happy” defense preparing for their game against the Texans. I’m just not sure how Kansas City’s going to compete with such tiny skulls:

Question: In the scenario in which this head-shrinking actually took place, does Dontari Poe’s hair remain the same size or shrink proportionately?

Texans QB coach Karl Dorrell backs up the assessment that this game could lead to something bigger:

Keenum left the University of Houston with NCAA records in total passing yards and touchdowns, yet went undrafted due to concerns with his size, mobility and arm strength. That said, the young quarterback is purportedly seen as a natural leader in the huddle and makes smart and quick decisions with the ball, a strength he’ll have to rely on Sunday at Arrrowhead Stadium.

Game Date/Time and Location: Sunday, Oct. 20, 4:25 p.m. ET at Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, Mo.

TV schedule and distribution map: CBS; The506.com

When the Texans travel to Kansas City to take on the Chiefs on Sunday, is there anything stopping KC from staying undefeated?

We already knew that Kansas City had talent on defense. The Chiefs sent four of their defensive players to the Pro Bowl last year despite winning only two games. They’re just as talented on defense this year -- if not more so -- but now the offense is helping out, too.