Houston Texans Defense: How the Cowboys Can Handle Will Anderson Jr. and Danielle Hunter | Scout’s Eye
What I Saw
The defining trait of this Houston defense is its ability to generate pressure with four rushers.
Houston doesn't have to manufacture pressure with heavy blitz volume because Will Anderson Jr. and Danielle Hunter can win their pass-rush matchups on the edges.
That puts immediate stress on Dallas' protection plan.
The Cowboys have to decide whether their tackles can handle Anderson and Hunter in isolated pass sets or whether they need to use chip help from the tight ends and running backs.
Every additional protector, however, reduces the number of eligible receivers in the route concept and gives Houston an advantage in coverage.
How Dallas uses spacing will be key here.
If Houston is going to rush wide, make them even wider. Force those edge rushers to take longer paths to the quarterback and create room inside.
What I Saw in Coverage
Houston's pressure package is effective because the secondary can play aggressively behind it.
Derek Stingley Jr. and Kamari Lassiter are physical press-man corners who can challenge releases at the line of scrimmage and stay attached through the route.
Because they don't require constant safety assistance, Houston can rotate the safeties, spin the coverage late and devote additional defenders to the box or passing lanes.
That makes George Pickens against the Houston corners a critical matchup.
Pickens has to win at the release point, defeat press coverage and finish through contact at the catch point.
If Stingley and Lassiter can handle him without safety help, Houston can allocate additional resources to the middle of the field and force Dallas' secondary targets to win consistently.
Where Dallas Has to Be Better
The Cowboys cannot allow this game to become a steady diet of third-and-long.
Those are the down-and-distance situations in which Houston's front can dictate the protection.
Anderson and Hunter can attack without respecting the run, while the interior rushers execute games against a predictable pass set.
Behind them, the coverage has enough discipline and talent to force Dak Prescott to hold the football.
This is where Prescott needs to be at his best.
Make the contested throws. Have the confidence to make them.
But the offense also has to help the quarterback.
Dallas doesn't need to dominate on the ground, but it must create manageable down-and-distance situations.
Efficient early-down runs, perimeter screens and quick completions can keep the Cowboys out of obvious passing situations and prevent Houston from unleashing its best pass-rush package.
Change Dak Prescott's Launch Point
The Cowboys also need to change the quarterback's launch point.
Quick game, play-action, screens, sprint-outs and movement passes can disrupt Houston's rush lanes and prevent Anderson and Hunter from repeatedly attacking the same landmarks.
Don't let Houston's edge rushers dictate where Dak is going to stand in the pocket.
Make them adjust.
Make them move.
And make them rush from different angles.
THE SCOUT'S EYE
What I saw was a Houston defense that can create problems without having to send extra rushers.
The Texans can rush four, play press coverage outside and create protection problems with movement up front.
That combination allows them to stay structurally sound while still forcing the quarterback to operate under pressure.
For Dallas, the game will be decided by protection communication, early-down efficiency and the ability to win outside against man coverage.
The Cowboys have to account for Anderson and Hunter on every pass play, pass off the interior twists cleanly and keep Prescott out of long-yardage situations.
If they do that, there will be opportunities in the passing game.
If they fail in those areas, Houston's defensive front has enough individual talent and scheme flexibility to control the game.
— Bryan Broaddus
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