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Key Matchups: Texans vs. Jets

davemundy Written by davemundy, Friday September 11 2009
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While the oddsmakers make the Houston Texans a 4-5 point favorite heading into Sunday’s season opener against the New York Jets, whether or not the Texans come away with a win will depend in large measure on how several key individual matchups turn out.

 

Five key matchups for Sunday’s game:

 

Texans WR Andre Johnson vs. Jets CB Darriele Revis: Johnson is arguably the  best all-around wide receivers in the game, and can change a game’s momentum in one play. When he has a good day, the Texans almost never lose. Revis doesn’t get the same respect, but may be one of the league’s more under-rated corners. In Rex Ryan’s more aggressive defensive scheme, Revis will be put one-on-one with Johnson in a lot more situations than normal, and his goal will be to keep Johnson from burning him deep.

 

Jets tackles D’Brickashaw Ferguson and Damien Woody vs. Texans defensive ends Mario Williams and Connor Barwin: For Mark Sanchez to have a chance in the pocket, the Jets are going to have to keep Williams and Cushing out of the backfield. Ferguson is a good matchup, and while Woody had a good season in 2008, he struggles against speed rushers. Williams can play either side in the Texans’ 4-3 defensive set and with the additional help inside now can look to more and more one-on-one matchups. Barwin, the Texans’ second-round pick, is a pass-rushing specialist and showed during the pre-season that while he doesn’t have Williams’ size, he’s got both speed and a nose for where the quarterback is. Don’t be surprised to see the Jets throw a back or tight end into the blocking scheme in passing situations.

 

Texans interior linemen Chester Pitts, Chris Terry and Mike Brisiel vs. Jets nose tackle Kris Jenkins and linebackers David Harris and Bart Scott: Jenkins, a nine-year veteran, is a load all by himself. With Harris and Scott also playing on the inside of Ryan’s 3-4 defense, they control ground the Texans highly desire. Running back Steve Slaton made things happen for the Texans last season when he was able to pop off four or five yards a carry between the tackles. How well the Texans’ interior line trio creates gaps for him will determine whether or not Houston can get a ground game established and control the football. Allowing Houston to establish a presence rushing the ball puts the Jets in serious trouble, because they’re already going to have their hands full with the Texans’ passing attack.

 

Jets third-down RB running back Leon Washington vs. Texans MLB DeMeco Ryans: Ryans is rapidly becoming a monster, as witnessed by his 16-tackle performance against the Vikings in the pre-season. He is the heart and soul of the Houston defense, and is completely enamored of defensive coordinator Frank Bush’s new more aggressive attack style of play. Washington is a great open-field runner and hard to bring down on swing and screen passes, with big-play potential. For the Jets to be able to convert on third down, they have to be able to spring Washington--and Ryans will be his minder.

 

Texans WR Kevin Walter vs. Jets cornerback Lito Sheppard: Yeah, the focus may be on the marquee guys on the other side of the field, but this one may be where the game is made. Walter has been slowed this week by a hamstring, but demonstrated last season that when you spend too much time concentrating on Andre Johnson, he can burn you: 60 catches for 900 or so yards and 8 touchdowns. He’s a possession receiver with sneaky moves who always seems to find a way to get open. Shepherd has great tools and makes big plays, but it’s his concentration that is a big concern for the Jets staff: he’s been burned often and picked up far too many penalties for comfort.

 


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