The Houston Texans must prepare for the Detroit Lions, but must also study some Cleveland Browns’ defensive line tape.
The Lions acquired Za’Darius Smith in a trade with the AFC North franchise early Tuesday morning, adding a veteran pass rusher to their defense just a few hours before the 3 p.m. 2024 NFL trade deadline.
Smith, who’s racked up five sacks in nine games this season, is expected to be good to go when the Lions (7-1) take on the Texans (6-3) on Sunday Night Football in Week 10.
Browns trading pass rusher Za’Darius Smith to Lions. (via @RapSheet) pic.twitter.com/yrXXTb6yr0
— NFL (@NFL) November 5, 2024
Smith, 32, has been a constant No. 2 option in the pass-rushing department over his decade in the Pros. The three-time Pro Bowler has 65 career sacks over the past 10 seasons with the Browns, Minnesota Vikings, Green Bay Packers and Baltimore Ravens.
Houston’s offensive line should at least know what to expect from Smith since Laremy Tunsil, Juice Scruggs and Shaq Mason went head-to-head with him twice down the stretch last season, including in the AFC Wild Card Round. Smith recorded two sacks on Christmas Eve against Case Keenum in the Browns’ 36-22 win during the regular season.
The Texans had the last laugh after taking him out of the game in a 45-14 win the following month in the wild-card matchup at home.
The Lions, winners of six straight and NFC favorites, have struggled to get pressure on opposing quarterbacks since Defensive Player of the Year candidate Aidan Hutchinson broke the tibia and fibula in his left leg in a Week 6 win over the Dallas Cowboys.
Za’Darius Smith among EDGE defenders since 2022:
🔹 18.9% pass rush win rate (6th)
🔹 16.1% pressure rate (6th)
🔹 90.2 pass rush grade (8th)Your newest Detroit Lion 💪 https://t.co/0Xc7BsA1bs pic.twitter.com/lr2GESthrh
— PFF DET Lions (@PFF_Lions) November 5, 2024
Hutchinson was the star player, but not the only defender to sustain a season-ending injury, as fellow edge rusher Marcus Davenport suffered a knee injury last month. Detriot has recorded five other quarterback hits by defensive linemen in the past two games.
Houston’s offensive line could be in trouble if Smith starts hot. The Texans have allowed the second-most sacks (31) and the fourth-most pressures (89) through nine games this season.
“We have to be at our best at all times,” offensive lineman Tytus Howard said Monday. “We see everybody and hear everybody talk. We just have to be better because, at the end of the day, if we do our job, they don’t any reason to be talking about us.”
Kickoff is scheduled for 7:15 p.m. The game will be nationally televised on NBC.
