Texans Pass Rush Must Set Tone Against Deshaun Watson

In the NFL, when former players play against their former team, it becomes headline talk of the game. Deshaun Watson is set to start against his former team Sunday, and I’m more interested in where he throws the ball than in any reunion storyline. The Cleveland Browns announced on Wednesday (Nov. 11) that Watson will return to the starting lineup against the Houston Texans after sitting out against New Orleans.

Houston comes to Cleveland with an NFL-leading 29 sacks, eight of them from last Sunday’s win over the Chargers. The Texans have the front to make Watson uncomfortable. The test is whether they can do it while keeping Cleveland’s receivers from turning short throws into long afternoons. 

Watson has taken 33 sacks in eight games this season. He’s also rushed for 217 yards and a touchdown. Those numbers tell me Houston should be aggressive, especially when the Browns fall behind the chains. They also tell me the edge rushers have to be aware of where the quarterback can go when the pocket starts to close. 

The Texans will need to make sure they put pressure on the middle of the pocket as much as the edges, because Watson has the legs to scramble. If Houston’s defensive tackles can push the guards and center back, Watson has less room to step forward when an edge rusher comes around the corner. If both ends get too far upfield and the middle stays open, there’s a lane for him to turn third-and-7 into a first down. That’s a frustrating way to waste a rep the defense was winning.

There’s a draft question in those snaps, too. We have to watch to see whether Houston can keep creating that push when it rotates its defensive tackles. A second group that can squeeze the pocket gives the coaching staff a lot more freedom late in games and gives the front office a clearer picture of where it needs depth.

Shedeur Sanders started against the Saints and threw for 297 yards and two touchdowns in Cleveland’s 23-22 overtime loss. One went 64 yards to KC Concepcion. The other went 39 yards to tight end Harold Fannin Jr. in overtime. Fannin was limited Wednesday with a groin injury, according to the Week 10 practice report. 

If Fannin plays, I’d pay attention to who picks him up when Cleveland moves him before the snap. When the rush gets close and Watson has to unload the ball, a tight end with room to turn can make a short completion hurt. I’m fine with Houston conceding a catch for 4 yards on third-and-8. The defender has to close quickly enough to keep it at 4.

Cleveland running back Quinshon Judkins enters the matchup with 385 rushing yards on 116 carries. The Texans have to make stopping him early in the count a priority. A solid run on first down gives the Browns room to use play-action or get Watson outside the pocket. Hold that run to a yard or two, and the Texans get more chances to dictate where he has to stand and how long he has to hold the ball.

Houston is 3-5 and Cleveland is 5-4. I’ll be looking for a stop when the game is still close and Cleveland can call whatever it wants. Containing Watson and Judkins to keep the first downs at a minimum has to be a defensive mission. If the Texans can stuff a first-down run, keep Watson in the pocket and tackle the outlet receiver short of the sticks, I’ll feel pretty good the defense doing it's job. That’s how you get C.J. Stroud another possession and throwing points on the board to win the game.