How Chicago Bears DL matches up vs. Houston Texans OL
The Houston Texans have made two small changes to their offensive line from week one until they take on the Chicago Bears. First, they are starting Kenyon Green, a first-round rookie. In week one he was rotating with Justin McCray, but that appears to be over. Beyond that, Scott Quessenberry is starting at center for Justin Britt, who went on the non-injury list for personal reasons.
So, with two new, but potentially upgraded pieces, how does the Texans line look against the Chicago Bears?
Chicago Bears edge rushers against Houston Texans tackles
The Houston Texans’ starting left tackle Laremy Tunsil likely only has two names to worry about.
Robert Quinn 71.1% (20% win rate)
Dominique Robinson 22.5% (27.3% win rate)
Quinn and Robinson take up 93.6% of the pass rush attempts against left tackles for the Chicago Bears so far this season. What has been great about the rotation is that Quinn is taking a step up in snaps from last season, but also when he does sit, the pass rush remains strong because of the presence of Robinson.
Still, Tunsil has been great this season with a 97.1 pass block efficiency rating. He did lose to Bradley Chubb but did a great job against pass rush specialist Yannick Ngauke in week one.
On the right side, Tytus Howard has a bit better of a pass efficiency rating, but he has played a bit less competition. He took on the rotation of Randy Gregory and Baron Browning while Tunsil was matched up against Chubb. Kwity Paye had some success against Howard in week one, though.
The Chicago Bears rotate three edge rushers against the right tackle.
Al-Quadin Muhammad 55.3% (0% win rate)
Trevis Gipson 29.8% (30% win rate)
Dominique Robinson 10.6% (27.3% win rate)
The win rate for AQM is stunning. When you compare the snap rates and win rates of Gipson and AQM, something must change. Until then, they may be letting Howard off of the hook.
Chicago Bears interior defensive line
Angelo Blackson 35.9% vs LG, 32% vs RG (10.5% win rate)
Justin Jones 37.5% vs RG, 28.2% vs LG (10% win rate)
Armon Watts 19.8% vs LG, 16.8% vs RG (14.3% win rate)
Mike Pennel 14.5% vs RG, 14.4% LG (0% win rate)
Watts remains the most productive pass rusher, but the other two have been much better against the run. A.J. Cann, the right guard has been struggling to set things up on the right side, and Justin Jones happens to be the best run defender on the team. Houston will likely struggle to run the ball to the right.
DeForest Buckner had his way with Justin McCray, but since Kenyon Green has stepped in, the Texans improved at left guard. Green handled his own against DreMont Jones and is the highest-rated pass protector so far on the Texans.
Angelo Blackson with a small dose of Armon Watts may not be the scariest test but will continue to give us more information about the rookie as he makes his second NFL start.