HOUSTON (SportsRadio 610) -- Arguably the league’s top pass rusher and offensive tackle go head-to-head when the Texans visit the Browns on Sunday.
Browns defensive end Myles Garrett won’t face Laremy Tunsil on every down, as the team moves him along the defensive line.
But when they do face each other, it will be a battle of the best in the league.
Garrett is tied with Rams’ Aaron Donald for the league lead in sacks with nine.
Tunsil is rated as an elite pass blocker and run blocker. He has yet to allow a sack in 492 snaps and has committed just one penalty this season, according to Pro Football Focus.
The Texans’ left tackle is going to have his hands full with Garrett, a former star at Texas A&M. Right tackle Tytus Howard could see his share of Garrett matchups, too.
“He’s a beast,” Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson said Wednesday when asked about Garrett. “He got paid what he deserved. He’s a guy that’s going to come every play. He’s a guy that you have to worry about each and every time. He’s a special talent. Very athletic. Can run. Very powerful. Very strong. Can bend around the edge.
“He’s a guy that we got to make sure that we can try to contain as much as possible and not let him take over the ball game.”
At 6’4”, 271 pounds, Garrett has great length with flexibility to run under and around blocks.
“You’ve got to know where he is,” Texans interim head coach Romeo Crennel said Wednesday. “That’s the big thing. Then, you’ve got to determine what you need to do on your protection to try to slow him down. Can one guy do it or does that guy need help?
“You can do that by sliding the line to him. You can do that by chipping him. You can do that by keeping a tight end in. There’s several ways to try to slow him down. As we go into the week, we’ll figure out what the best way for us to do it.”
This isn't the first time Garrett and Tunsil faced each other, but it is the biggest stage. The last time was in 2015, when Tunsil was a junior at Ole Miss and Garrett a sophomore with the Aggies.
Tunsil did better than hold his own, largely neutralizing Garrett in the 23-3 win over A&M. Garrett made plays, but not on Tunsil.
Watson's confident in Tunsil, calling him the best left tackle in the game.
“I’m glad that he’s on my team," Watson said. "I’m glad that he’s healthy and he’s been able to do what he do and he takes the charge of the offensive line.
"I’m comfortable when he’s on my left side and he’s fully healthy and can go out there each and every snap.”
