The Texans have one of the NFL’s best pass rushing units. All eyes are on the Dolphins’ O-line
The Houston Texans have one of the NFL’s best pass rush units.
In addition to having the second-most sacks (42) in the league, the Texans defensive line produced the ninth-highest hurries (45). Translation: the unit, led by defensive ends Will Anderson Jr. and Danielle Hunter, knows how to get after the quarterback.
“The Texans got a good front, probably one of the best that we’re going to face all season,” guard Robert Jones said.
“They have a lot of experience on the D-line,” guard Liam Eichenberg said. “Very powerful, very strong guys. Great hand usage. Just overall, when you have an experienced crew, it’s something that kind of meshes well together, so we have to be on our technique and fundamentals.”
As the Miami Dolphins prepare to face the Texans, all eyes are on the offensive line. The unit has standouts in center Aaron Brewer and left tackle Terron Armstead yet overall, the group has been just about average, according to Pro Football Focus which ranked the group 18th overall in Week 15. Although the offensive line must block in concert, it ultimately comes down to everyone’s success in individual matchups, according to Brewer.
“We have to win as a group,” Brewer added. “But really all it comes down to is everybody winning their 1-on-1s. It always starts with the individual. It takes a group of individuals to make a team. If each individual is handling their job, everything goes as planned.”
Despite the seemingly middle-of-the-road PFF ranking, the unit didn’t allow a sack to the New York Jets’ highly touted defensive line. The Dolphins, however, did lose Armstead to a knee injury just five plays into the Jets game and had to rely on rookie Patrick Paul. Like any young player, he still has room to grow.
“I think he really invested more each week as he learned things that were necessary, his sense of urgency improved and that’s where he’s at right now,” Dolphins offensive coordinator Frank Smith said Thursday. “So he’s done a great job. I know Butch [Barry, the offensive line coach] and the guys, with him, have really been doing extra in all phases just because he has that drive and you’re seeing things starting to connect, things to really understand of how he needs to play to be a successful player in this league.”
Armstead hasn’t practiced all week — granted, he has practiced once in the past month — so his status for Sunday is certainly unclear. Even worse: Kendall Lamm hasn’t suited up this week either. Lamm has filled in admirably for right tackle Austin Jackson, who underwent season-ending knee surgery in mid-November. If the 10-year veteran is ruled out, the starting job could fall to third-string tackle Jackson Carman who the Dolphins signed off of their practice squad on Dec. 4.
Regardless of who’s blocking, the Dolphins certainly have one thing going for them: Tua Tagovailoa’s quick release.
“I get the ball out fast, so I am confident with anybody we’ve got up there,” Tagovailoa said in late August when asked about his faith in the offensive line. “I’ll tell you that. I’m confident with anybody we get out there.”
Coach Mike McDaniel didn’t want to solely rely on Tagovailoa’s ability, instead focusing on the aspects that allow the quarterback’s skill – e.g. “running the appropriate route in the timing of the play,” McDaniel said — to truly flourish. That, more than anything, will determine how successful the Dolphins can be in keeping Tagovailoa upright.
“I think the biggest part is it’s a collection of individuals on both sides of the ball that kind of determine QB pressure and sacks,” McDaniel continued, later adding that although “Tua is good at getting the ball out,” it will ultimately come down to “the complexion of the unit or the entire group and defensively, how are they defending, how are they covering with pass rush, [and then] offensively, how are we protecting but how are we moving down the field, beating reroute, beating man coverage, separating the timing of the play. Those things I think are what it’s going to come down to — less individuals, more a collection of the group.”
This story was originally published December 12, 2024 at 5:27 PM.
