The Kansas City safety looks forward to playing his former team — and hopes the defense can build on Sunday’s win.

As the Kansas City Chiefs prepare to face the Houston Texans on Saturday, safety Justin Reid looks forward to playing against his former team. He spent his first four NFL seasons in Houston — and still has a lot of respect for the team and its head coach DeMeco Ryans.

“This is a playoff-caliber team,” he told reporters on Thursday. “They have a bunch of talent on that team. DeMeco has done a good job rallying those guys — especially with all of the young [players] they have — to have them going in the right direction.”

Reid fondly remembers his time in Houston.

“I’m happy that they’re doing well,” he remarked, “but also excited for the opportunity to play against them. It’s always fun playing your old team because you know everybody on the field at the same time — so it’s fun.”

During the team’s 21-7 victory over the Cleveland Browns on Sunday, Kansas City quarterback Patrick Mahomes suffered yet another ankle injury. There has been debate about whether he would — or should — play in Saturday’s game. Reid said that during this week’s practices, Mahomes has been “himself” — but then moved on to other matters.

“I play on the defensive side of the ball,” he explained, “so our job never changes — regardless of whatever’s happening around us. [We’re] just going to stop the Houston Texans offense from scoring points. That’s what the focus is.”

Reid believes the defense’s success in Cleveland — including six takeaways and five sacks — can help them in the coming weeks.

“It’s about catching momentum at the right time,” he said. “We’re excited. It’s been a while since we’ve been able to get some turnovers. [If] we can start this train now — in December going into the playoffs — that’d be really good.”

Saturday’s matchup could be comparable to playoff football with a home-field advantage. The team will be bolstered by the energy of the Chiefs’ fans — whom Reid doesn’t take for granted.

“You can’t beat the atmosphere here,” he said of GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. “It doesn’t matter if it’s 80° outside or if it’s -30° outside, it’s going to be the same atmosphere every time. They bring energy — [and] we feel it on the field.”