The Texans are a pure Zone Blocking Team. Gary Kubiak and Alex Gibb will zone block or die trying. There is no turning back for them.

Some Keys:

1. Expect more 2 gap play in this contest from the DL. I think you'll see more slide and miiror packages with some strong side slants to string out the zone perimeter run game. The TE can be a liability in the run so they may attempt more weak side zone plays behind Bruener to slow up James Harrison. Especially when Slaton is in the game. They are a one cut run team with backs that can get skinny in a small crease. They pressure in obvious pass downs, but my belief is they dont want to flush Schaub from the inside out to keep him in the pocket to give the outside rush a chance.

2. Expect situational coverages dependant on formation. I think you'll see alot of strong side cover 2 principles to Walters side with the CB up with flats to hash assignments. He's a possession guy who doesnt get deep well. To Johsnons side, expect a 7-10 yard cushion with the ILB attempting to take away underneath sightlines and flats responsibilities. FS needs to play on his heels and and rolled to Andre Johnson. The weak side cushion will be almost a 1/2 field cover 4 look, with C2 principles on the other side. Which effectively turns it into a hybrid cover 3. Troy needs to win body position assignments on Owen Daniel up the seam

3. Pressure packages: Expcet LeBeau to bring the house at Duane Brown. Attack him from every angle. Stunts, overloads, dog blitzes. Welcome to the NFL rookie. They'll push the pocket and bring the heat from the outside. Kubiak will probably instill alot of naked bootlegs, waggles, and 5 step drops to get Schaub away from the rush by changing up his launch points and limited his reads to half field against fire zone looks. Once Schaub is on the run they will dial up the interior blitz packages early and often, especiall if a gaurd is rolled out to combat the outside rush. If the outside rush is effective, Texans could counter with some Y flex packages getting Daniel in the slot attempting to drag an OLB out of the box and limit box count.

Houston is a team that has to win by design. They like to work outside the hashes in the pass game and stretch a defense horizontally then take a kill shot or two. They arent going to control the game in the trenches and their defense isnt physical enough to go 60 minutes with the Steelers. If Im a bettin man, I take Dick Lebeau over any OC in the league in a chess match