Justin Houston has had a tough past two seasons. Finishing the 2014 season half a sack shy of an NFL record, he got a huge contract extension. However, he finished the 2015 season injured and spent most of the 2016 season nursing injury. However, after a healthy offseason, he looks to make his return.
With a division dominated by the likes of Von Miller and Khalil Mack, as well as the promising Joey Bosa, Houston seeks to make his name again as the AFC West’s terror. He looked to be back in form during the week 12 matchup in Denver. Houston had three sacks and a forced fumble. He terrorized quarterback Trevor Siemian, and showed he was back in force. However, injury kept him from fully returning to form through the rest of the season.
A Healthy Justin Houston Crucial to Kansas City Chiefs Pass Rush
In one week, the Chiefs begin training camp in St. Joseph. They will welcome many new faces seeking to make a name for themselves, and many veterans getting ready for another season. One of those veterans will be a healthy Houston.
The 2016 season demonstrated that the AFC West is the best division in football. Nowhere is that more evident than in defense. The Broncos have held one of the NFL’s best defenses for a long time. While the Raiders and Chargers are known more for their offenses, they boast great improvements in their defenses. Khalil Mack and Joey Bosa seek to improve the defenses of both teams, respectively. However, the Chiefs also boast one of the NFL’s best defenses, and the pass rush is one area that has traditionally been a strength.
With Justin Houston out most of last season, both the pass rush and run defense fell off in production. Dee Ford had a strong showing in the start of the season, but it will be on Houston to re-establish the Chiefs front seven.
Preseason will be an interesting time to see Houston back in a game setting. We won’t get a chance to see that until August 11th against the 49ers. Until then, seeing Houston run through drills will be a good chance to see his speed and agility.
Kansas City Chiefs and the New Front Seven
Justin Houston will be returning to a different looking front seven than what he had in his career 2014 campaign. Dontari Poe and Jaye Howard have left, and Bennie Logan, Tanoh Kpassagnon, and Chris Jones have all arrived. It will no longer be all on Houston’s shoulders to carry the pass rush.
Optimism surrounds the other members of the Chiefs pass rush, but that optimism should be based on Houston staying healthy. It is no coincidence that when he isn’t present the Chiefs pass rush falls. Ford, Tamba Hali, and members of the defensive line can do a good job of applying pressure, but Houston does it on a whole other level. With Houston, the Chiefs looks like Denver’s defense that is anchored by Miller. 2017 will be a great year to see Houston back in action.
