It is not often that defending J.J. Watt to the masses is a common occurrence, but with the flurry of articles and tweets regarding how the Jacksonville Jaguars stopped the Houston Texans' defensive end, this is where we felt we had to step in.

We do not analyze box scores and if you are, that is the wrong thing to do. For this purpose, we will look at Watt’s four total tackles, three sacks, two quarterback hits, 2 hurries and 1 pass deflection. This “box score” does not show how Watt truly affected the game on Sunday against the Jaguars.

Well respected Jaguars Beat Writer Ryan O’Halloran had some choice tweets about Watt and his performance. O’Halloran is calling “wins” for Watt as sacks and tackles for loss (plus other written stats) against the Jaguars offensive line.

Texans' J.J. Watt went 1-on-1 against %%MATCH_5%% 17 times (four wins), but was 0-for-8 against %%MATCH_0%% and 0-for-9 vs. %%MATCH_2%%. — Ryan O'Halloran (@ryanohalloran) December 8, 2014

I couldn't find this #Jaguars player on the flip card, but Watt was 4-for-10 against some Unblocked guy. — Ryan O'Halloran (@ryanohalloran) December 8, 2014

I'll write in simple fashion for many Texans fans ... Watt did what he was supposed to do against a back-up RT (sacks, tackle for loss, etc) — Ryan O'Halloran (@ryanohalloran) December 8, 2014

Texans four sacks of Bortles 1. Watt unblocked on boot 2. Watt unblocked/coverage sack 3. Watt beat Young 4. Reed coverage sack — Ryan O'Halloran (@ryanohalloran) December 8, 2014

A look at the Texans four sacks of Blake Bortles.

Sack #1- Watt Unblocked on the Boot - This is true, Watt makes the sack that he was supposed to, untouched. The Jagaurs call a play to roll into the unblocked Watt.

Sack #2- Watt Unblocked/Coverage Sack - Watt runs across the field from the far hash because the Jaguars designed play is a roll away from Watt. Bortles sees Watt coming and slips on the “wet” grass. Coverage was great, but so was the pursuit by Watt.

Sack #3- Watt Beat Young - Normal Watt sack, just blows by the offensive tackle before Bortles even gets to the top of his drop.

Sack #4- Reed Coverage Sack - What is omitted from this is the fact Watt is the one that forced Bortles up into the pocket into the waiting arms of Brooks Reed and Tim Jamison.

All four sacks on the afternoon all involved Watt, but there is more.

The Jaguars ran an offensive game plan that kept Watt from being a wrecking ball, but he still affected the game.

The Jaguars used six different players to try and block Watt, granted Watt moving around influenced who he lined up against.

vs. Sam Young (39 snaps)

vs. Luke Joeckel (14 snaps)

vs. Brandon Linder (6 snaps)

vs. Zane Beadles (3 snaps)

vs. Mercedes Lewis (2 snaps)

vs. Nic Jacobs (1 snap)

Watt did not miss a defensive snap with 73 and he did influence the game despite what some have said.

Watt vs. the Jaguars

Blake Bortles was averaging 2.65 seconds to throw the ball on his 43 drop backs. 34 of those drop backs were out of shotgun.

The Jaguars had (14) 1-step drop out of gun and (20) 3-step drops out of gun. Gun and quick release for Bortles is going to make any offensive line look solid.

table.tableizer-table { border: 1px solid #CCC; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif font-size: 11px; } .tableizer-table td { padding: 4px; margin: 3px; border: 1px solid #ccc; } .tableizer-table th { background-color: #06BEA5; color: #FFF; font-weight: bold; } vs. Sam Young vs. Luke Joeckel vs. Brandon Linder vs. Mercedes Lewis Runs Runs Runs Runs At4 At1 Away6Away1Away5Away1 Read1 Passes Passes Passes Passes Gun 1-Step5Gun 1-Step5Gun 1-Step1Gun 1-Step1 Gun 3-Step16Gun 3-Step3 Wildcat1Wildcat Play Action (at)1Play Action (at)1 Play Action (away)5Play Action (away)4 table.tableizer-table { border: 1px solid #CCC; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif font-size: 12px; } .tableizer-table td { padding: 4px; margin: 3px; border: 1px solid #ccc; } .tableizer-table th { background-color: #06BEA5; color: #FFF; font-weight: bold; } vs. Zane Beadles vs. Nic Jacobs Unblocked Double Teams w/ OT Runs Passes Play Action (at)1Offensive Lineman3 Away1Gun 1-Step1Gun 1-Step1Running Back3 Tight End1 Passes Gun 1-Step1 Gun 3-Step1

Stats not registered in the Box Score

Early in the game, a roll toward Watt causes a poor pass by Bortles.

Play away from Watt, he still finds a way to get a hit on Bortles.

Hit on Denard Robinson (Wildcat formation) to force a bad pass on 3rd and short.

Creates a hurry where the running back goes to help on Watt, leaves a green dog blitz for Brian Cushing to hit Bortles, (roughing the passer called.)

Jumps and blocks view of Bortles' passing lane, causes a low pass.

Jumps and causes Bortles to pull down the ball, and gets the holding call on Nic Jacobs.

Caused 7 double teams against him in pass situations. Three from the running back, three from offensive guard, one tight end chip helping the offensive tackle.

Three screen passes run by the Jaguars, all away from Watt.

62 offensive plays ran by the Jaguars, only 8 in the direction of Watt.

Not to mention all of Watt's work in the second half came without the teams second best pass rusher opposite of him in Whitney Mercilus who did not play a single down of defense.

To make this even more impressive, Watt only had EIGHT plays run at him the entire game and was still able to put up the “box score” he did. Watt is consciously on the mind of offenses and the Jaguars were no different.

Their quick passing game is the easiest way to neutralize any pass rush and, for the most part, the Jaguars had a smart game plan. The Jaguars did everything in their power to control Watt and it appears they did on the surface.

Watt making his opportunities count Sunday was a prime example of what the best defensive player in the NFL does on a week-to-week basis. His stats said three sacks, which is not a common occurrence, but he changed an offensive game plan that was centered around him.

Another normal day at the office for Watt.

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See what Houston Texans fans are saying here