(SportsRadio 610) - In the Texans’ two-point loss at Carolina, Jonathan Greenard and Maliek Collins authored the best combined performance by a defensive end and defensive tackle in franchise history.
Working against Panthers’ rookie quarterback Bryce Young, Greenard and Collins combined for 4.5 of the Texans’ season-high six sacks. They had two more nullified because of penalties.
If Greenard and Collins can continue to get that kind of pressure from the outside and inside, coach DeMeco Ryans’ pass rush should become more formidable over the last 10 games, beginning with Tampa Bay on Sunday at NRG Stadium.
“Both of those guys played really well,” Ryans said. “When Jonathan and Maliek are consistent, they’re very good. Hopefully, they can see that. When they rush the way the coaches ask them to, they can have success by disrupting the quarterback.”
Greenard, who leads the team with six sacks – two fewer than his career high – is in the last year of his contract. He had a monster performance against the Panthers. He gave left tackle Icky Ekwonu nightmares with a variety of moves that produced a career-high 2.5 sacks. Those sacks cost the Panthers 25 yards. He lost another one when he was called for a facemask penalty.
Greenard pressured Young seven times, according to Pro Football Focus. He knocked down the quarterback four times. He also was in on six tackles, including two for losses.
Greenard would have sacrificed his stats for a victory over Carolina. He’s still disappointed the Texans didn’t stop the Panthers on their game-winning drive that ended with a field goal with no time remaining.
“Just wasn't enough, ultimately (and) that’s the bottom line,” Greenard said. “We can't sit here and say, 'Alright,’ talking about the stats as far as the D-line having six sacks. We didn't have seven. We should have had one more that could have ended the game.”
About Carolina’s last drive, Greenard said, “We always say that it doesn't matter what the situation is, we don't care about coverage, we don't care about none of that. We didn't get to the quarterback (and) that's on us.”
Collins tied his career high with two sacks for 17.5 yards in losses. He knocked down Young three times and was in on seven tackles, including one for a loss.
The last time the Texans had two players with at least two sacks in a game was in 2018 when they won in overtime at Indianapolis, where end J.J. Watt and outside linebacker Jadevon Clowney had two apiece.
Talking about Greenard and Collins, Ryans said, “Both guys rushed very well. What Jonathan was able to do -- rushing the passer, utilizing the long arm, playing with power and being able to get to the quarterback – it was the best game I’ve seen him have.
“With the interior rush, Maliek was able to disrupt the quarterback. Jonathan’s able to get that pressure on the quarterback because of our interior push. Without those guys pushing the pocket up front, Jonathan won’t be able to get his sacks.”
Greenard was so good Sunday he was credited with seven quarterback pressures, giving him 12 in the last two games, according to Pro Football Focus, which gave him a career-best 89.6 grade at Carolina, fourth among the league’s edge rushers on Sunday.
Greenard has 22 pressures for the season, three fewer than rookie end Will Anderson Jr., who’s still stuck on one sack. He had a partial sack against the Panthers that was wiped out because of a penalty.
As for Collins, PFF gave him a season-best 75.5 grade. Collins and Greenard played an instrumental role in the Texans limiting the Panthers to 224 yards. They also contributed to the outstanding run defense that smothered the Panthers, who ran 24 times for 44 yards, a 1.8-yard average a carry.
“They made plays in critical moments, and they made some big-time sacks,” Ryans said. “Hopefully, they’ll continue that trend.”
If they do continue that trend, it should generate takeaways. Other than not being able to stop the Panthers on their game-winning drive, the most disappointing thing about the defense was the lack of takeaways. The Texans had none.
The Texans have forced only nine turnovers. They’re plus-5 in turnover differential because the offense has committed only four turnovers, fewest in the league. Of the 15 teams that are on the plus side or even in turnover differential, the Texans have the fewest takeaways.
Ryans and his defensive coaches know that creating turnovers usually starts up front. And the most impressive pressure is coming from Greenard, Anderson and Collins.
“It’s a combination of all those guys up front working together,” Ryans said. “They know when we rush well together, we rush as one. If we continue with the right mindset, we’ll continue to affect the quarterback.”
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John McClain can be heard Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday on SportsRadio 610 and Monday, Thursday and Sunday on Texans Radio, also on SportsRadio 610. He writes five columns a week and does three Houtopia Football Podcasts for SportsRadio610.com.