Houston Texans DE J.J. Watt is back to his old disruptive ways. The three-time Defensive Player of the Year is off to a great start. After six games, Watt has 7.0 sacks, which is tied with the Vikings’ Danielle Hunter for tops in the league. The four-time Pro-Bowler has made it all the way back from injuries to his back and a broken leg. These injuries have caused Watt to miss 24 games in the past two seasons.
After starting the season at 0-3, the Texans have won three in a row, and have clawed back to 3-3 Houston is deadlocked with the Titans and Jaguars atop the AFC South.
On Sunday, Houston has a big AFC South matchup as they travel to Jacksonville to face the Jaguars.
Jacksonville head coach Doug Marrone has a lot of respect for Watt has done this season on and off the field.
“He’s back playing like when he was the Defensive Player of the Year,” Marrone said on Wednesday. “We all know he’s a good football player. He’s extremely tough, extremely active. He has 7.0 sacks, leads the league. I have a ton of respect for him, especially how he’s battled back and then all around. I don’t know him personally at all, but in the community what he has done there. He is just an outstanding person and an outstanding football player.”
The 29-year-old Watt is hoping to get the Texans back to the playoffs. If he continues to play at this level, and QB Deshaun Watson can stay healthy, Houston has a legitimate shot to win the AFC South and make the playoffs, but Jacksonville still has the most talent in the AFC South. Therefore, if Jags QB Blake Bortles can play like the guy we saw in the beginning of season, Jacksonville should win the AFC South.