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Houston Texans: 5 Takeaways from win over Chargers

By Stephen Forsha

CARSON, CA - SEPTEMBER 22: Rapper Snoop Dogg talks with outside linebacker Whitney Mercilus #59 of the Houston Texans before the game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Dignity Health Sports Park on September 22, 2019 in Carson, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images)
CARSON, CA - SEPTEMBER 22: Rapper Snoop Dogg talks with outside linebacker Whitney Mercilus #59 of the Houston Texans before the game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Dignity Health Sports Park on September 22, 2019 in Carson, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images) /
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CARSON, CALIFORNIA – SEPTEMBER 22: Philip Rivers #17 of the Los Angeles Chargers fumbles the ball while being hit by J.J. Watt #99 of the Houston Texans in the third quarter at Dignity Health Sports Park on September 22, 2019 in Carson, California. The Texans defeated the Chargers 27-20. (Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images)
CARSON, CALIFORNIA – SEPTEMBER 22: Philip Rivers #17 of the Los Angeles Chargers fumbles the ball while being hit by J.J. Watt #99 of the Houston Texans in the third quarter at Dignity Health Sports Park on September 22, 2019 in Carson, California. The Texans defeated the Chargers 27-20. (Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images) /

5. Defensive front is just fine

There were some questions about the Houston Texans before the season when they traded away Jadeveon Clowney, but if Sunday is any factor, the defensive front seven aren’t missing the starting pass rusher.

When J.J. Watt is on his game and the play from Whitney Mercilus stays at the high level it has been the first three weeks, this defensive front seven can be one of the very best in the entire NFL.

One play that jumps out as a game-changer was a strip sack by Mercilus against Philip Rivers, and Greg Rajan of the Houston Chronicle thought so too, as he wrote the following about the play:

"“It was a badly needed stop for the Texans, who’d largely been diced up by Rivers to that point. They capitalized on the turnover, with Deshaun Watson leading a 73-yard drive capped by a touchdown pass to Jordan Akins to give the Texans their first lead …”"

Mercilus is in a new role with the Texans, and thus far it is a role well-suited for the outside linebacker. On Sunday he finished with five combined tackles, one sack and the forced fumble. The important part about the play of Mercilus is his disrupting the opposition, and if he can’t make a play, one of his teammates is being put into position to make the play instead.

Also note that J.J. Watt had his best game of the season thus far (five combined tackles and two sacks). Also from the defensive front seven, Zach Cunningham had a fumble recovery to go with his four tackles (one for a loss).

Overall, from the first viewing of their play in this game, the front seven of the Texans had a job well done, and it is exciting to see Mercilus having such a strong start to the 2019 season.

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