J.J. Watt will ‘be in there quite a bit’ vs. Bills

The Houston Texans are getting a key weapon back in the playoffs, with defensive end J.J. Watt activated from injured reserve this week. Watt suffered a torn pectoral in Week 8 and has been sidelined ever since. Head coach Bill O’Brien was confident in Watt’s return, telling the media, “He’ll be in there quite a bit,” according to beat writer Aaron Wilson.

It remains to be seen how effective Watt can be in his return, but it is some kind of boost for the Texans’ pass rush. The team’s defensive front finished the season ranked No. 29 in adjusted sack rate, and No. 22 in adjusted line yards. Watt will be shaking off some rust, but should give the unit at least a modest improvement.

Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen is one of the more mobile quarterbacks in the league, but he struggles passing when under pressure. Among 39 qualifying quarterbacks, Pro Football Focus ranks him 36th in adjusted completion percentage when under pressure and 24th in passer rating. If Watt can bring a little something extra to the pass rush, the Texans defense could find some success against Allen and the Bills passing offense.