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Houston Texans’ Pro Bowl candidates

By Jair Lopez

HOUSTON, TX - OCTOBER 25: DeAndre Hopkins #10 of the Houston Texans catches a pass defended by Xavien Howard #25 of the Miami Dolphins in the third quarter at NRG Stadium on October 25, 2018 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TX - OCTOBER 25: DeAndre Hopkins #10 of the Houston Texans catches a pass defended by Xavien Howard #25 of the Miami Dolphins in the third quarter at NRG Stadium on October 25, 2018 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images) /
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HOUSTON, TX – SEPTEMBER 23: J.J. Watt #99 of the Houston Texans celebrates after sacking Eli Manning #10 of the New York Giants in the fourth quarter at NRG Stadium on September 23, 2018 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TX – SEPTEMBER 23: J.J. Watt #99 of the Houston Texans celebrates after sacking Eli Manning #10 of the New York Giants in the fourth quarter at NRG Stadium on September 23, 2018 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images) /

Defense

Houston Texans defensive end, J.J. Watt, has shown that previous serious back and knee surgeries aren’t enough to stop him from continuing to get to the quarterback. Watt has 36 tackles, 10 sacks, 10 tackles for loss and four forced fumbles this season through the first 10 games of the regular season. There really isn’t anything he can’t do after returning from his knee injury and he looks to continue to be having another stellar season in the NFL.

Texans 2014 first overall pick, Jadeveon Clowney continues to improve and destroy offensive game plans. Clowney has 29 tackles, 6.5 sacks, two fumble recoveries, and 12 tackles for loss this season. He has shaken the injury-prone label that he gained after missing the majority of his rookie season with a knee injury. Clowney has played in nine of the ten games this season and he has back to back sacks the last two weeks.

Clowney is a complete player as he able to pressure the quarterback and shut down the run with his raw strength and length. His IQ and instincts are off the charts and he’s proven to singlehandedly change the momentum of the game. His fumble recovery for a touchdown against the Indianapolis Colts makes him the only defender that isn’t from the Texans’ secondary to recover a turnover for a touchdown.

Texans defensive backs, Kareem Jackson, Tyrann Mathieu, and Justin Reid have all been playing at a high level of football this season. They have seven of the nine interceptions through the first 10 games, Reid leads the group with three interceptions meanwhile Jackson and Mathieu each have two.  Jackson and Reid have returned an interception for a touchdown during the Texans current seven-game win streak. The secondary has done a great job in limiting the big plays opposing offenses have in the passing game,  Jackson’s 11 passes defended ranks fourth overall in the league.

Tyrann Mathieu making an immediate impact. dark. Next

The trio is also ranked top five in the team’s tackling category. Jackson and Mathieu are ranked third in the team with 61 combined tackles, and Reid is ranked fourth with 53 combined tackles. Mathieu leads the secondary with three sacks meanwhile Jackson has one sack. Jackson leads the secondary with two forced fumbles meanwhile all three of them have one fumble recovery.

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