Jadeveon Clowney had his career best stat-line against the Vikings…8 tackles including 7 solo and 4 for loss while playing 70% of the defensive snaps. Does this represent the long awaited breakout game for Clowney or is it just another step with much more work to do?
Actually, I think it is both. It is a breakout in the sense that against the Vikings he established a new level of play. He played well in the first 4 games, but against the Vikings he was clearly the best Texans lineman on the field.
In the first 4 games Clowney’s stat line was pretty ordinary, but his “game” exceeded his stats. He was solid against the run, set the edge, held his position at the point of attack and chased down plays. Inconsistently, but not infrequently, he pressured the quarterback. Jadeveon did his job by executing the fundamentals that often create stats for others.
However, he reached a new level against the Vikings. He didn’t just do his job with an occasional splash play mixed in. He consistently finished plays. Jadeveon Clowney is no longer a linebacker temporarily playing with his hand in the dirt. He is the Texans best defensive lineman until J. J. Watt returns and a bookend defensive end thereafter.