Texans vs. Chiefs: Three positives to build on
By Randy Gurzi
Sep 13, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Texans outside linebacker Jadeveon Clowney (90) rushes the quarterback during the first half against the Kansas City Chiefs at NRG Stadium. The Chiefs defeated the Texans 27-20. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Every cloud has a silver lining right? Well, maybe not according Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt, who had a great game including six tackles for a loss and two sacks. Watt had said there are no moral victories in the NFL, and he is right.
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That doesn’t mean that there can’t be positives for us fans to look at and say maybe the next game will be better than the last. Here is a look at three such areas that give some hope for the Texans as they move on from the 27-20 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs.
Let’s start with outside linebacker Jadeveon Clowney, who showed some flashes during his first game back from knee surgery last December.
"Although OLB Jadeveon Clowney didn’t have any splash plays like sacks or monster hits, his first game back after microfracture surgery showed definite flashes. His power more than anything else flashed throughout. He had at least two plays that I remember where he just shocked a tight end, held him up and turned the play back inside or held it up for someone to make a play. One of JJ Watt’s six tackles for a loss was a sheer result of Clowney holding up the tight end with a stab move and shoving him right back into the running back. He made two huge plays running down ball-carriers for two tackles for a loss. Perhaps Clowney’s most impressive play was his tackle on Jamaal Charles knocking him out of bounds just short of a first down as he chased the play from the inside. In essence, Clowney’s impact wasn’t where it will be, but for his first action, he made significant strides."
Those quotes from team analyst John Harris have to give hope that someone other than Watt can begin to impact the game on defense, especially in the area of putting pressure on the opposing quarterbacks.
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