Behind Deshaun Watson and DeAndre Hopkins, the Houston Texans are one of the NFL’s most fearsome passing offenses. However, much of their success offensively stems from the rushing game.
With Carlos Hyde leading and Duke Johnson sprinting behind him, the Texans are the seventh-best rush attack, averaging 130.9 yards per game. The run game, which has scored 14 touchdowns, can start and end games for Houston; it can also help develop the play-action, and subsequently, the passing game.
If the Texans can’t run, their offense often struggles. That’s music to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ ears, who have the NFL’s No. 1 ranked rush defense alongside a young talented but inconsistent secondary.
Tampa Bay allows just 73.3 rushing yards per game, top in the NFL, and 53.3 per in their last three outings. Their success under defensive coordinator Todd Bowles should come as no surprise considering the talent on-board.
The Buccaneers’ front-seven is one of the most talented units in the NFL.
Running a 3-4 defense, defensive linemen three-time All-Pro Ndamukong Suh and 2018 first-round pick Vita Vea are massive, powerful forces who plug up the interior. Fellow lineman and starter William Gholston is a pleasant surprise, recording a 71.1 Pro Football Focus grade on the season.
To back up the linemen, the Bucs carry sack-leader (16.5) and Pro Bowler Shaq Barret, the big Carl Nassib (6-7, 275) and two-time Pro Bowler Jason Pierre-Paul on the edges.
Prowling in the middle of the front-seven, No. 5 pick rookie linebacker Devin White and former All-Pro Lavonte David make things stuff for anyone seeking to win running up the gut. They fly everywhere with surreal athleticism and sure-tackling.
In culmination, analytics agrees with rushing yardage allowed totals. Football Outsiders has Tampa Bay as the NFL’s top rush defense, allowing an outstanding -29.7% DVOA on the ground. They allow the second-ranked 3.15 adjusted line yards and stuff at the second-highest rate (30%).
In short, the Bucs are big, experienced, passionate and athletic as a run defense. Hyde and Johnson may not be in for a big day on Saturday, as Tampa Bay could force the Texans’ hand into passing the majority of plays.