Houston Texans: Grading the team at the halfway point of the season

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HOUSTON, TX – DECEMBER 02: Baker Mayfield #6 of the Cleveland Browns is pressured by Whitney Mercilus #59 of the Houston Texans in the fourth quarter at NRG Stadium on December 2, 2018 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images) /

Pass Rush

The Texans pass rush has been below average, as they’ve only had 21 sacks on the season, which is tied for 17th. The scary part about that is those numbers are including J.J. Watt, who suffered an injury during the Week 8 game against the Oakland Raiders and is out for the remainder of the season.

Watt was part of what it easier to trade Jadeveon Clowney, especially coming off the 16 sack season he had during the 2018-2019 season. Whitney Mercilus started off hot, as he had five sacks within the first four games, but that productivity has slowed down, as expected. Mercilus has had only a half-sack within the last three games, as teams have now had the time and ability to gameplan for him.

Without Watt, the Texans will obviously need Mercilus to get back rolling and will need Jacob Martin and Barkevious Mingo to step up also. If you recall, the Texans acquired them in the Clowney trade with Seattle.

Another avenue for the Texans’ pass rush is rookie Charles Omenihu, who the Texans selected in the fifth round of the 2019 NFL Draft out of the University of Texas. Omenihu has two sacks over the first half of the season, and will certainly be relied upon to get to the quarterback.

Overall Grade: C

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