For the second straight week, the Houston Texans will face a defense that relies heavily on the blitz.
One part of the game plan that carries over for quarterback Deshaun Watson from last week is doing a better job identifying the blitz.
“They do pressure a lot and they try to get five in the rush,” Watson said. “They do a great job of doing what they do. They’re very, very disciplined. It’s been very successful for them for years. If I was them, I would be the same way. I wouldn’t change it. I would do what I do because that’s what we’re good at.”
Steelers defensive coordinator Keith Butler was the linebackers coach from 2003-14 and has been an excellent caretaker of Dick LeBeau’s defense. Through the first two games, Pittsburgh has blitzed 58 times, the most in the NFL. Of course, it has come with its positive results as the Steelers are second in the NFL with 10 sacks and have the most quarterback pressures with 40.
“We’ve got to make sure that we pick up the blitz and the pressures and the different things that they try to disguise and see,” said Watson. “For me, really just finding the open guy. If it’s the running back. If it’s the tight end, the receivers. I’ve got to be patient and find the open guy and see. There’s going to be a lot of contested balls. The DBs do a good job of being on our receivers, so we’ve just got to go out there and make plays and be on the same page.”
The Texans will need to be on the same page in Week 3 as they seek to avoid an 0-3 start for the second time in three seasons. Even with the expanded playoff format, venturing that far into a season with that many losses, all of them in the conference, could be a quick way to end the season by Jan 3.
