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Houston Texans: The Good, The Bad and The Ugly – Defensive Line

By Bob Dove

Jan 3, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Blake Bortles (5) is sacked by Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt (99) during the third quarter at NRG Stadium. The Texans won 30-6. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 3, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Blake Bortles (5) is sacked by Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt (99) during the third quarter at NRG Stadium. The Texans won 30-6. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 13, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Texans nose tackle Vince Wilfork (75) battles Kansas City Chiefs tackle Laurent Duvernay-Tardif (76) during the game at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 13, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Texans nose tackle Vince Wilfork (75) battles Kansas City Chiefs tackle Laurent Duvernay-Tardif (76) during the game at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports /

The Ugly, so inconceivable a week ago, is now a haunting possibility. If Watt is a shadow of himself for much of the season and either Whitney Mercilus or Clowney suffers a serious injury the defensive line, and ultimately the entire defense, can collapse.

If the Texans do not have two of the Watt-Clowney-Mercilus trio pressuring the passer the D-line will be an Achilles heel. Without Watt and one of the linebackers to draw double teams the defensive line is not good enough to win the battle in the trenches. If the D-line loses its battle the remainder of the defense isn’t dominant enough to win the war.

Next: What Are The Chances

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