Texans pass rush: Jadeveon Clowney as DE
The Texans defensive front is creating problems and enjoying it. 
With J.J. Watt, Whitney Mercilus, and Jadeveon Clowney lining up to get to the quarterback, opposing teams have decisions to make.
"We have a lot of guys up front who can get to the quarterback," Clowney said. "You can't just double one of us. If you double one, the other guys are winning. Everybody was winning. We have to hope we keep that going and offenses have a hard time game planning against us and keep winning games."
Defensive coordinator Romeo Crennel has been using Clowney as a defensive end in packages, in addition to his outside linebacker role. It's a new wrinkle in the scheme, one that the 2014 No. 1 overall draft pick has adjusted to well.
"It's a lot easier than being an outside linebacker," Clowney said. "You just listen to the call, move to the left or the right couple steps and get off the ball, stay in your gap. It's a lot easier than linebacker."
Crennel's decision to move Clowney was based on the third-year linebacker being mentally and physically ready for the extended role. Playing defensive end in a 3-4 scheme is an adjustment for Clowney, but it's not a big stretch, according to Crennel.
"He's had his hand on the ground and played with his hand on the ground all of his college career," Crennel said. "He knows how to maneuver and handle himself in there a little bit. And he showed that he can do it, so we might try it again."

The Texans defensive front is creating problems and enjoying it. 
 
With J.J. Watt, Whitney Mercilus, and Jadeveon Clowney lining up to get to the quarterback, opposing teams have decisions to make.
 
"We have a lot of guys up front who can get to the quarterback," Clowney said. "You can't just double one of us. If you double one, the other guys are winning. Everybody was winning. We have to hope we keep that going and offenses have a hard time game planning against us and keep winning games."
 

The Texans had 5.0 sacks on Jay Cutler last week, the highest total in a season opener in franchise history. Clowney recorded one those sacks and made a career-high three quarterback hits and two tackles for loss in the 23-14 win. Defensive coordinator Romeo Crennel has been using Clowney as a defensive end in packages, in addition to his outside linebacker role. It's a new wrinkle in the scheme, one that the 2014 No. 1 overall draft pick has adjusted to well.
 
"It's a lot easier than being an outside linebacker," Clowney said. "You just listen to the call, move to the left or the right couple steps and get off the ball, stay in your gap. It's a lot easier than linebacker."
 
Crennel's decision to move Clowney was based on the third-year linebacker being mentally and physically ready for the extended role. Playing defensive end in a 3-4 scheme is an adjustment for Clowney, but it's not a big stretch, according to Crennel.
 
"He's had his hand on the ground and played with his hand on the ground all of his college career," Crennel said. "He knows how to maneuver and handle himself in there a little bit. And he showed that he can do it, so we might try it again."

The (1-0) Texans will host the (1-0) Chiefs on Sunday with kickoff set for noon CT. Houston is 3-4 all-time against Kansas City in the regular season, including 2-3 at home.