2) J.J. Watt is on injured reserve. How has Houston tried to replace his production on the field?

It’s just been one game since the loss of Watt to a torn pectoral. They have the capability to do so with outside linebacker Whitney Mercilus, who has 5.5 sacks on the season. Defensive tackle D.J. Reader, who is in a contract year, was playing with force prior to the injury to Watt. It will be interesting to see if he was merely benefiting from the presence Watt commanded, though coaches and Watt himself have been high on him for the past two seasons. Rookie defensive end Charles Omenihu, taken in the fifth-round from Texas, is an intriguing contributor with each of his two sacks coming with forced fumbles. Whereas Watt was a presence throughout the game, the Texans’ pass rush may benefit more from leads the offense can generate than just intrinsically providing a pass rush.