The 1-1 Houston Texans are flying out to California to face the 1-1 Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday.
Led by 16-year vet and eight-time Pro Bowler Philip Rivers, the Chargers stand as a tough task for the Texans defense. “It runs through him,” as outside linebacker Whitney Mercilus said on the Texans Talk Podcast hosted by Anthony Wood.
“He’s been the membrane, the nucleus, the brains behind the operation for sure. He’s a very, very smart quarterback,” said Mercilus. “[He] understands what you’re trying to do to him, how you’re trying to attack him, things of nature.”
Mercilus, Houston’s leading sack-getter (3.0), describes how the Texans can put-off Rivers: disguise the defense to alter his rhythm and timing.
“He’s a quick study as well too,” said Mercilus. “That’s one thing: we got to be able to disguise, disguise, disguise, and really just get him off his spot, get him off his timing. He’ll try to get that ball out quick as well too.”
Mercilus is 1-1 against the Rivers-led Chargers. He’s recorded a sack and five quarterback hits on the ageless veteran. If Houston is going to win on Sunday, expect Mercilus to have added to his stat line against Rivers.
