Howe: Patriots Need To Make Sure J.J. Watt Doesn't 'Ruin Your Week'
Jeff Howe of the Boston Herald joined Toucher & Rich Wednesday morning to talk about the Patriots' disappointing loss to the Eagles and look ahead to Sunday night's matchup with the Houston Texans and former Patriots offensive coordinator Bill O'Brien. Listen to the full interview below.
The Patriots face the Texans for the first time since 2013, when the Patriots came back to beat Houston on the road 34-31. Texans All-World defensive end J.J. Watt has been largely ineffective in previous meetings, but this time goes up against a banged up and less experienced offensive line of the Patriots. Howe said the Patriots need to give Watt the superstar treatment on Sunday, as always.
"You just have to hope that J.J. Watt doesn't ruin your week," said Howe, who referenced Eagles pass rusher (and inferior player) Fletcher Cox having a field day hitting Tom Brady last Sunday. "You've got to double-team [Watt] every single play and hope that everybody else on the offensive line takes care of their one-on-one assignments."
The other key matchup in the game will be Patriots No. 1 cornerback Malcolm Butler versus the Texans' DeAndre Hopkins, who has emerged in 2015 as arguably the league's most dynamic and dangerous wide receiver. That is, if they do match up one-on-one.
Howe noted that the Patriots last season had Darrelle Revis often cover teams' No. 2 receivers, while double-teaming opponents' top pass-catching threats. Hopkins may see that kind of coverage with Logan Ryan (who Howe added has been playing "excellent football" this season) and a safety over the top.
And Howe thinks that kind of defense might be necessary, because he doesn't know if anyone can cover Hopkins one-on-one.
"If it is Butler and Hopkins...No disrespect to Butler, but I don't think there's a guy on the planet who can cover DeAndre Hopkins for 60 minutes," said Howe.
Listen to the full interview below: