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Houston Texans: 3 players who could be difference-makers down the stretch

By Stephen Forsha

LANDOVER, MD - NOVEMBER 18: Jadeveon Clowney #90 of the Houston Texans celebrates after a sack against the Washington Redskins in the fourth quarter of the game at FedExField on November 18, 2018 in Landover, Maryland. The Texans won 23-21. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
LANDOVER, MD - NOVEMBER 18: Jadeveon Clowney #90 of the Houston Texans celebrates after a sack against the Washington Redskins in the fourth quarter of the game at FedExField on November 18, 2018 in Landover, Maryland. The Texans won 23-21. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /
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DENVER, CO – NOVEMBER 4: Outside linebacker Jadeveon Clowney #90 of the Houston Texans leaps to defend a pass attempt by quarterback Case Keenum #4 of the Denver Broncos in the second half of a game at Broncos Stadium at Mile High on November 4, 2018 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images)
DENVER, CO – NOVEMBER 4: Outside linebacker Jadeveon Clowney #90 of the Houston Texans leaps to defend a pass attempt by quarterback Case Keenum #4 of the Denver Broncos in the second half of a game at Broncos Stadium at Mile High on November 4, 2018 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images) /

1. Jadeveon Clowney

For all the great success J.J. Watt has had thus far this season, his fellow defensive teammate Jadeveon Clowney should be a difference-maker down the stretch for the Texans as well.

At outside linebacker, Clowney has 28 tackles and 6.5 sacks this season, getting near the numbers he put up one season ago when he totaled 59 tackles and 9.5 sacks in 2017. This season, Clowney also has played in nine games at a very respectful level and has done some very good things.

With the Texans having six games left this season — including their Monday Night Football game against the Tennessee Titans — they are in first place ahead of those same Titans.  With the Indianapolis Colts chasing them too, expect the level of Clowney to keep going at a strong pace because the defense will need it.

What is a difference between this year and last year for Clowney is the fact the Texans are actually playing competitive football and battling for a playoff spot in the latter days of November. Clowney will need to be a difference-maker for this franchise for them to have the success to get back to the playoffs.

The reason Clowney can be a difference-maker is for the reasons above, the rest of the games actually mean something for the Texans and most likely he’ll be playing at a high level for the rest of the way to help keep the Texans on track to make the playoffs and to see how many more wins can be added to the current seven-game winning streak.

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There is still a lot more to see from Clowney, and if he can become the difference-maker many know he can be, then that will send the Texans a long way for the rest of the year.

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