New Orleans Saints: What to expect from the Colts’ defense

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Justin Houston

Justin Houston had the fifth-most sacks in the seven years preceding this season (while being frequently injured) while playing as a 3-4 outside LB for the Chiefs. He decided to move to the Colts as he would get to play as a 4-3 edge defender.

Justin Houston is lined up against Bucs’ left tackle Josh Wells. Houston aligns in a wide-nine alignment. Houston fakes a speed rush to the outside. Wells overreacts, giving Houston an inside lane to Winston. Houston finishes the job effectively.

Even though Houston is primarily a pass rusher he can still make plays in the run game.

On this play, the Bucs use six offensive linemen- a pretty good indicator that a run is coming. Donovan Smith is tasked with stopping Houston from infiltrating inside.

The rest of the Bucs’ offensive line does a good job, giving Peyton Barber a big cutback lane to the outside. If Houston was blocked out of the play, Barber likely would have been left 1-on-1 with a DB in space.

Houston does a great job recognizing the run is going inside, and subsequently beats his blocker inside and makes the tackle, limiting a potentially big gain to just 3 yards.

The main downside of a wide-nine alignment is that it’s hard for the edge defender to have an impact on inside runs as he further outside than usual. Houston certainly had a big impact on this play.

Terron Armstead will have a vital role to play this Sunday as Justin Houston can be a game-wrecker. If Terron Armstead wins the battle with Houston, Brees should have lots of time to pass as the Colts’ defensive line is weak outside of Houston.