HOUSTON — During the Houston Texans’ 31-5 defeat to the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday, the lone bright spot in the loss was the defensive line’s ability to get after the quarterback.
Amid a performance that saw Kyler Murray throw for 261 yards and three touchdowns to keep his Cardinals undefeated on the season, the MVP candidate was sacked four times in the win — while one ensued in a safety that gave the Texans a 2-0 lead early in the first quarter.
Following the game, Murray acknowledge the play of Houston’s defensive front as he described the Texans as an “athletic and talented team.”
“They got after us pretty good — hats off to them,” Murray said. “Obviously, some things have not gone their way so far this season, but credits to them. They came out, played hard and got after us. I took some shots today. We obviously have to be better, but like I said more credit to them.”
Jonathan Greenard was one of four pass rushers who not only recorded a pair of sacks on Murray, but assisted in creating constant pressure on the Cardinals’ offensive line.
Greenard said his objective when on the field is to play relentless, read his keys and make an effort to beat his opposing player. He finished the game with multiple sacks for the second consecutive week, but failed to relish in his career accomplishment due to the six-game losing streak.
Greenard’s play inside State Farm Stadium furthered vindicated the Texans’ admiration for their 24-year-old defensive stud. Through the first seven games of the 2021 campaign, Greenard is leading the Texans with a team-best 6.0 sacks on the year.
“I think he’s been a bright spot for us,” coach David Culley said Monday morning. “He’s making some plays. He’s playing hard. He’s been the one that has been able to make a few individual plays. I think for the most part, the whole group has been playing well. But he’s just been the guy that’s been able to make a few more plays.”
Greenard depicted Murray as a rabbit when describing the experience of playing against the Cardinals’ quarterback. And according to Greenard, the defensive scheme was to keep the dual-threat quarterback in the pocket in an attempt to slow the Texas native down.
Prior to Murray’s first touchdown pass to DeAndre Hopkins early in the second quarter, Houston’s defensive line — led by Greenard — held the Cardinals to a pair of punts and a safety during their first three offensive drives.
“The results might not show it, but we fight,” Greenard said after the loss. “We put a lot of hard work into this stuff. It’s frustrating because we don’t get the results that we want. But We work our asses off.”
“I am with these guys the whole time, and I see the blood, sweat and emotions that we put into this game. It sucks that we get these results. But nothing will change with our efforts. We are still going to work.”
In addition to taking several hits in the win, Murray threw an interception to safety Lonnie Johnson, who recorded his third pick on the season.
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