Matchup between Steelers’ O-line and Jadeveon Clowney one to watch
When the Houston Texans host the Pittsburgh Steelers on Christmas, there should be plenty of fireworks and great matchups. Every week we look at how the Steelers and their opponent’s key players look side by side and select the duels we think will be critical to the game’s outcome. This week’s matchup to watch will be between Pro Bowl-bound Texans defensive end Jadeveon Clowney and the Steelers’ offensive line that will send three players to the Pro Bowl.
Pittsburgh’s offensive line is at top of league
The Steelers have been fortunate to have such a capable and skilled offensive line this season. With the coaching of Mike Munchak, Pittsburgh has witnessed Maurkice Pouncey, Ramon Foster, David DeCastro, Marcus Gilbert, Alejandro Villanueva, Chris Hubbard, B.J. Finney, Jerald Hawkins and Matt Feiler gel into a well-oiled machine even when injuries have changed the lineup a bit. They are one of the most underrated groups – offensive linemen – until a team can’t move the ball offensively.
Foster looks to be a scratch for the game against the Texans due to suffering concussion symptoms after the New England Patriots game last weekend and was placed in the league’s protocol. Foster sat down with Missi Matthews on Steelers.com to talk about the emotions following the loss to the Patriots as well as what the team is capable of for the remainder of the season. “We can handle ourselves moving forward,” Foster told Matthews. “We still have games to play. We take care of those and we’ll be absolutely fine.”
With the holidays coming up…we really get a chance to control our destiny. – R. Foster
With eight Steelers players selected to the 2018 Pro Bowl, three of them are on the offensive line; DeCastro, Pouncey, and Villanueva. All three were voted in as starters. With Le’Veon Bell, Antonio Brown and Ben Roethlisberger – all in the top 5 in the league at their position entering Week 16 – also getting selected, it made sense that focus would be on the linemen as well. “They are the best line in the league,” Roethlisberger said. “They really are the reason I stay upright and healthy. They are the most important part of this team because as they go, we go.” Pouncey has been selected six times, DeCastro three and this is Villanueva’s first time.
“(They) always get the job done,” said Bell, the league’s number one rusher. “You see the way they work in practice. They are always striving to get the job done. When one guy goes down, the next guy steps up. That shows the brotherhood (they have) and how much they understand the game because they always keep it going.”
I wouldn’t want to run behind any other offensive line…behind anybody else…It’s the best offensive line in the world. They should all be in the Pro Bowl. – L. Bell
The Steelers will also get Gilbert back this week. Foster admitted it’s a good thing. “It brings us another tool that we have. It brings an added strength… he’s a known veteran in this league now and also brings another dynamic.”
“It’s very special,” Foster said of the guys on the line with him. “I take pride in being in this group. I take pride in how we play because this is our group. It’s one of the best lines I’ve been around, the best group of guys I’ve been around. ”
Clowney a force to be reckoned with
With 50 (36 solo) tackles, nine sacks, two passes defended, two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries on his stat sheet this season, Texans defensive end Jadeveon Clowney has been the most disruptive force on the defensive roster in Houston. Defensive coordinator Mike Vrabel was happy that Clowney was recognized for his hard work and tough play this season by getting selected for his second Pro Bowl appearance. “Well-deserved and happy for him,” Vrabel said.
Clowney doesn’t always line up at the typical end spot along Houston’s defensive line. That has given opponents fits in trying to find favorable matchups to keep him out of their backfield and off of their quarterback. Clowney has great size, speed and athleticism and one of the better swim moves off the line of any defensive end in the league this season. It’s his quick instincts that tend to give him an advantage.
“I’ve been working extremely hard in the offseason to get healthy, get my game better,” Clowney said in an interview this week. And when he was asked about the Steelers, Clowney said, “They got plenty of threats. They got a lot of good guys [on offense] all across the board.”
As for what Clowney thinks of Roethlisberger and getting to him:
“He’s not really a chase-around guy. He’s huge, man,” Clowney said. “It’s like wrestling with a bear… when you get to him you gotta hold onto him. He’s one of the biggest quarterbacks in the league. The guy can make any pass on the field. He’s one of the greatest quarterbacks to ever play the game so it’s gonna be a hassle for us…”
Clowney is known for getting to the quarterback, but he’s been pivotal in the run-stopping ability the Houston defense has been able to put together this season. They’ve allowed just 1497 rushing yards from opponents for 4.0 average yards per play.
“So, we just gotta come with it, come ready to play this game,” Clowney said.
