FIVE THINGS TO WATCH
TOP BACK:
The Packers, who have allowed 100-yard rushing days to Tennessee’s DeMarco Murray (17-123) and Washington’s Robert Kelley (24-137) in the last three games, will be challenged by Lamar Miller, the NFL’s fifthleading rusher. “He’s a zone runner with patience — almost too much patience,” said an executive in personnel. “He’s a crease runner. He can see an opening, accelerate and hurt you that way. He’s not a power runner, someone who will get the tough short-yardage run. He doesn’t really run behind his pads that way. He’s got good hands out of the backfield. He has sudden burst with home-run speed. On the perimeter, he can really do damage.”
MAN IN THE MIDDLE:
Former Patriots NT Vince Wilfork, 35, is in his second season with the Texans. Despite missing one game due to injury, he has played 51.8% of the defensive snaps. “Still does his thing,” said one scout. “Clogs the middle and tough to move.” The Texans list Wilfork at 6-2, 325. He measured 6-11⁄4 at the 2004 combine, and his current weight has been estimated at 360. “I don’t think he has been 325 since he was in the eighth grade,” former Vikings offensive coordinator Norv Turner said before a game in October. “You’re not going to move him. We had a chance to coach him in the Pro Bowl, and he’s really a unique person. Lot of fun to be around.”
ON THE RISE:
In 2015, Benardrick McKinney was one of three inside linebackers taken in the second round and passed by the Packers when they selected CB Damarious Randall at No. 30. McKinney went No. 43, Eric Kendricks went No. 45 to Minnesota and Denzel Perryman went No. 48 to San Diego. McKinney has played 94.1% of the defensive snaps this season. He has 101 tackles (7 for loss), more than twice as many as anyone else on the team, to go with 4 sacks. “Good player that has really developed,” said one personnel man. “Still has some instinct issues but has length and speed and makes plays with his range. He’s better rushing than covering. He’ll walk up and they will run (twists) with him. He has some rush knack. That was a good pick for them.” In that draft, the Packers chose inside linebacker Jake Ryan in the fourth round (No. 129).
PROTECTION PACKAGE:
The Texans were forced to plug in former Bronco Chris Clark at right tackle after Derek Newton, a five-year starter, suffered season-ending knee injuries in Game 7. Clark started the first four games at left tackle when Duane Brown was making his way back from a thigh injury. “Decent range,” one scout said, referring to Clark. “Stiff in the lower body and a waist-bender. He’s not a terrible liability but he’s not good enough. It’s hard to get the San Diego game out of your head.” Last Sunday, Clark and even Brown at times were abused by Chargers rookie DE Joey Bosa. “Brown is their best offensive lineman,” said the scout. “Athletic, good punch, has length. He’ll get beat by quickness and speed.”
PERIMETER RUSH:
OLBs Whitney Mercilus and Jadeveon Clowney, who was ruled out for Sunday, rank 1-2 in quarterback hurries and tackles for loss. “Mercilus is playing really well,” said one personnel man. “He’s very athletic. He uses counters and inside moves. He’s slippery. He’s their best rusher. Clowney is kind of a bull in a china shop. He has strength, he’s hard to block, but I don’t see the finish you’d expect with him. He plays out of control, and that hinders his production. He’s a physical freak but he’s still not living up to the hype.” As for the Texans’ defense as a whole, the scout said: “They’re leading the AFC South, which is a very mediocre division, mainly due to the defense playing well despite the absence of J.J. Watt. There aren’t any superstars, but they’re well-rounded and solid at all three levels. This is one of the best tackling teams I’ve seen play all year.”
Bob McGinn