All News & Analysis

PFF Preview: Titans @ Texans, Week 13

2014-Prev-WK13-TEN@HOUThe Houston Texans (5-6) are on the outside looking in at the playoff picture and will likely need to run the table in order to get a spot. They will host the division rival Tennessee Titans (2-9) this Sunday at NRG Stadium.

The Texans have possibly the best defensive player in the league in J.J. Watt. When the Texans and Titans met in Week 8, Watt’s presence was felt by quarterback Zach Mettenberger. Watt led the league in Pass Rushing Productivity that week by putting pressure on Mettenberger on seven of his 37 pass-rushes. Watt has created pressure on 70 of his 426 pass rushing snaps this season. For comparison, the closest 3-4 defensive end has 38 pressures.

In their last match up, Watt got the best of right tackle Michael Oher. Oher was responsible for pressure on Mettnberger on six occasions and finished with a -3.2 in pass blocking. In the three games since their meeting Oher has played better though. He has been rated better in each game including a +1.9 overall against the Steelers two weeks ago. How well Oher can limit Watt’s impact on the game will play a major factor in this game.

Here are some other players to watch in this match up.

Tennessee Titans

Jurrell Casey – The Titans’ defensive end has been inconsistent this year, failing to have consecutive games with an overall rating over +0.3, but has accumulated an overall grade of +10.6 on the season.

Derrick Morgan – Morgan has excelled in rushing the quarterback and he is the fifth highest rated 3-4 outside linebacker for pass rushing.

Taylor Lewan – The offensive tackle has had a good rookie campaign so far, with his only poor game coming in Week 12 where he allowed two sacks and two hurries.

Houston Texans

Brandon Brooks – Brooks has been the fifth-best right guard in the league in run blocking accumulating a rating of +5.8.

Johnathan Joseph – Joseph has played the fifth-most snaps on the Texans' defense, but he leads the team in tackles with 51 — 41 of those coming on pass plays.

DeAndre Hopkins – Hopkins has outperformed teammate Andre Johnson even though he has been targeted 22 less times. Hopkins WR Rating is 96.4, while Johnson’s is 73.9.

Recently at PFF

All-Star Team of the Week: Week 12
32 Observations, Week 12
Race for Rookie of the Year, Week 12
Rookie Riser Watch List

 

All Featured Tools

Subscriptions

Unlock the 2023 Fantasy Draft Kit, with League Sync, Live Draft Assistant, PFF Grades & Data Platform that powers all 32 Pro Teams

$31 Draft Kit Fee + $8.99/mo
OR
$89.88/yr + FREE Draft Kit