New York Jets Run Offense vs. Houston Texans Run Defense

by John B on Sep 9, 2009 11:00 AM EDT Comment 2 comments

by David J. Phillip - AP

This will be a case of strength against weakness. The Jets had arguably the best running game in the AFC a season ago. The Texans were one of the five worst run defenses in the league. This should provide Thomas Jones and Leon Washington a real opportunity to start 2009 on the right foot.

The Texans made some upgrades up front. The one with the biggest impact will likely be Antonio Smith, who is a quality run defender at defensive end. The Jets love to run the ball to the right side with Brandon Moore and Damien Woody lining up over there. Gang Green will probably attack Smith's side, frequently pulling Alan Faneca as well. The rest of the defensive line is not great against the run. Mario Williams is developing into an elite pass rusher. His play against the run has been slower to develop. D'Brickashaw Ferguson surely improved a year ago run blocking, but it's still the weak point of his game. That will be less pronounced against Williams.

Houston is still searching for the right mix at tackle and will show a rotation of Lions import Shaun Cody, Amobi Okoye, Frank Okam, and DelJuan Robinson. It will be difficult for them against the interior of Moore, Faneca, and Nick Mangold. This combination in conjunction with Tony Richardson will bring the run game a lot of success if they can beat this unremarkable duo and hit the second level, getting bodies on Texans standout linebacker DeMeco Ryans.

One area where the Jets will have a disadvantage is a matchup between Brian Cushing and Dustin Keller. Gang Green telegraphed too many plays last season, constantly throwing with Keller in the game and putting in Wayne Hunter and Robert Turner before calling a run play. I would expect to see plenty of Ben Hartsock to play against Cushing on the run. If Keller can consistently beat Cushing on passing routes and force Houston into sticking a nickel to play Keller, the Jets will have a much easier time playing Dustin on run downs. The advantage will go away.

I anticipate the Jets trying to do what they do best, attacking Houston's interior weakness by running between the tackles and to the right, minimizing the amount of work Ferguson has to do. The Jets should run early and often to force eight into the box and open things up for Sanchez. Once the Texans start selling out on the run, it will be up to the rookie to perform.

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Great Write-Up John B.

I linked you to my FanPost over at BattleRedBlog!

This will be a good test for both teams. The hyped/revamped Texans D, with their recent improvements will be trying to establish their first bid to make the playoffs by beating a good rush offense in the first game of the season. It will be a good test. All valid points that you make above.

Let’s play the game!!!

I suppose if all of the stars, moons and planets align it could be possible, but what are the chances of that?

by Rip Jersey on Sep 9, 2009 1:43 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Nice write up!

Down here in Houston, run defense has been the question for a while. I believe the defense has improved and if you go back and watch the games, when Bush did “lets the dogs off the leash” so to speak, the defense was very good against the Vikings and the Bucs.

He played a more reserved game against the Saints, more akin to Richard Smith style D, and we got tatooed.

So i think the jsets are in for something of a surprise with how aggressive the D will be. By the end of the day you will certainly know the name Connor Barwin..that kid is scary fast of the end, watch some of his preseason highlts…small for an end but so fast that he causes issues all day long.

I am VERY curious to see how Shonne (sp?) Green is doing. I have’t seen any jets preseason action but he was an exciting runner and i think he may be one of the dteals of the draft as he develops. Maybe someone at Gang Green can fill me in on how he is shaping up?

I going to disagree with the 17-14 Jet win pick (big surprise huh?) and go with a Texans win 28-14. Unless Matt Schaub suffers an injury eating his breakfast or tying his shoes. In which case Texans win 17-14.

Either way, best of luck in the rest of the season. I would LOVE to see a Jet vs Texans wildcard game!!

"An open mind is like a fortress with it's gates unbarred and unguarded."

The ROSENFAIL : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CAKAKE-uq-8&feature=related

by TexansForever on Sep 10, 2009 1:05 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs