Can Jake Long hang tough with Mario Williams?
This will be the key matchup of the entire game. And it’s a damn good one – as our 1st overall pick takes on Houston’s 1st overall pick from back in 2006. Since his rookie season, Williams has improved dramatically. He had 14 sacks a year ago and already has 4 sacks in 4 games this season – including a two-sack performance last week against Peyton Manning and the Colts. But he’s not only a pass-rushing force. Williams also has 3 tackles for a loss this year – just 1.5 away from his career high. “Super Mario” truly is the best young defensive end in the league – at least in my humble opinion. Meanwhile, Jake Long as progressed nicely. He’s come as advertised in terms of his run-blocking ability. But he has struggled at times in pass-protection – though not nearly as much as those “draft experts” tried to tell us he would. Jake’s allowed 2 sacks this season – one to Bryan Thomas back in his first game and one last week to Marques Hill (though it was a split sack between Hill and another
