Denver cornerback duo covers a lot of ground
Talib and Harris have combined for 46 career interceptions
The long shadows of Aqib Talib and Chris Harris Jr. have haunted many talented wide receivers, operating with a boldness and athleticism rivaled by few NFL cornerbacks.
The Denver Broncos’ cornerbacks have formed arguably the most formidable and expensive tandem in the league. They’re unafraid to challenge fast wide receivers to a race as they match them step for step.
Between their physical nature, instincts and ability to rely on hard-hitting safety T.J. Ward as an enforcer along with the unparalleled pass-rushing skills of outside linebacker Von Miller, Talib and Harris have a lot of elements working in their favor.
Now, it’s the Texans’ job to create separation behind Talib and Harris on Monday night during a highprofile road game against the Broncos’ top-ranked pass defense.
“Excellent players, good man-to-man, good zone,” Texans coach Bill O’Brien said of Talib and Harris. “Lot of experience, good ball skills, good tacklers. They’re one of the best tandems in the league.”
Talib is a big, strong corner at 6-1, 205 pounds and a three-time Pro Bowl selection.
Signed to a six-year, $57 million contract that includes $26 million guaranteed, Talib has 33 career interceptions for the most of any cornerback since he entered the league in 2008. His nine interceptions returned for touchdowns ranks him fourth in NFL history, behind Rod Woodson, Darren Sharper and Charles Woodson. Hopkins faces big test
Watching Talib against Texans Pro Bowl wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins shapes up as one of the more intriguing matchups of this game against the defending Super Bowl champion Broncos.
“Aqib Talib, he’s a great cornerback,” Hopkins said. “Very physical cornerback, my height. He likes to battle. I like going up against guys who want to battle me just as much as I want to battle against them.”
Talib leads the Broncos with three interceptions and eight passes defended following a tumultuous offseason when police investigated a gunshot wound to the Dallas native’s leg and concluded that he accidentally shot himself.
Meanwhile, Harris has 25 tackles, one interception and six passes defended.
“Two Pro Bowl corners, two of the best at their position,” Hopkins said. “Always excited to go up against upper echelon corners.”
As much as the Texans are cognizant of Talib and Harris’ abilities, so are the Broncos when it comes to Hopkins.
Hopkins caught 111 passes for 1,521 yards and 11 touchdowns last season. This season, he hasn’t been as impactful as quarterback Brock Osweiler has been erratic through six games. They displayed signs of building a better connection during a comeback overtime win over the Indianapolis Colts as Hopkins caught nine passes for 71 yards on 15 targets Sunday night.
“He attracts a lot of attention,” Broncos cornerback Bradley Roby said of Hopkins, who has caught 31 passes for 354 yards and three touchdowns. He is a great receiver and a great ball-in-the-air threat. He’s one of the top receivers in the league.” ‘Students of the game’
As good as Talib is, Harris is an accomplished coverage specialist in his own right. The 5-11, 199-pound former University of Kansas standout is a two-time Pro Bowl selection. He has 13 career interceptions, 61 passes defended and three defensive touchdowns and is playing under a fiveyear, $42 million deal.
“They’re very good players,” Texans offensive coordinator George Godsey said. “They’re very good, it seems like, students of the game. They’ve played a lot of football, have seen a lot of different routes, seen a lot of different patterns and know the skillset of the receiver that they’re going against. Two very good corners back there along with the rest of their defensive backfield.”
The Texans’ passing game is averaging just 216.5 yards per game to rank 30th in the NFL as Osweiler has already thrown eight interceptions. Balance will be needed
One strategy NFL defenses keep using to great effect against the Texans’ passing game is two-deep coverage with both safeties back to guard against throws to Hopkins and speedy rookie wide receiver Will Fuller. The Texans have rarely made teams pay for this strategy.
In the fourth quarter and overtime against the Colts, they woke up from their slumber and started feeding the football to Hopkins and tight end C.J. Fiedorowicz as the Colts had to respect the Texans’ running game with Lamar Miller gaining a seasonhigh 149 yards.
Plus, Fuller expects to be back this week after being sidelined against the Colts due to a hamstring injury.
“Well, the running game that we had this past week, hopefully that discourages a lot of that,” Godsey said. “If it doesn’t, those guys have to continue to get a hat on a hat. But then receivers, their jobs are to get open and catch the ball.
“So, two-high, one-high, double coverage, single coverage, they know that’s their job. Then it’s on us, accurate throws versus tight coverage, which that will be the case pretty much every snap this week.”
The game within the game starts between Talib and Hopkins, though, as they’ll match wits and footwork at Sports Authority Field at Mile High.
“We play football; it’s a long game,” Hopkins said. “He’s going to win some, I’m going to win some.”