How can the Cowboys stop the Texans’ Watt and Clowney show?
The Dallas Cowboys’ offensive line is coming off perhaps its best game but a bigger test is coming Sunday night in Houston.
The Houston Texans have two of the most-feared defensive linemen in the league in J.J. Watt and Jadeveon Clowney.
They combined for four sacks in the Texans’ win over the Colts last week and have seven combined sacks in 2018.
Clowney, who can line up at tackle, end or linebacker on third downs, returned a fumble for a touchdown against the Colts. He had 9.5 sacks a year ago.
Watt had 17.5 sacks in his last full season in 2015 before injuries sidelined him for most of the previous two seasons. He looks like he has returned to his pre-injury self. Watt and Clowney, who missed most of his rookie 2014 season because of injury, are finally both healthy together for Houston.
“He’s obviously a very dynamic player for them. He makes a ton of plays. He checks all the boxes for the measurables,” Cowboys guard Zack Martin said of Clowney. “He’s definitely a guy we’re going to have to have our eyes on and account for. We’re going to have to be aware of where he’s at and bow up when he’s over us.”
Joe Looney, who has filled in for Travis Frederick at center, agreed.
“I think it’s tremendous pressure. They’re two great players,” Looney said. “You have to know where No. 90 and 99 are the whole game. It just goes back to the same thing we’ve been talking about, put in the preparation during the week and get ready to play ball.”
Martin said the better play from the offensive line comes down to execution. The running game was better, he said, because they’re executing better, not because of a change in play-calling.
“We ran a lot of wide zone stuff which is great, but I think we’re executing better so those plays are working more so people are thinking we’re running them more,” he said.
“Obviously, still a lot of things to clean up but I think we’re making strides and that’s the most important thing, getting a little better each week. Our communication has been a lot better. We’re running the football and I think our protection was better on Sunday. We can build on from that performance on Sunday.”
This story was originally published October 2, 2018 at 6:41 PM.