The Patriots will face a Houston offensive line that hasn't allowed much pressure this season.
Chandler Jones
FOXBOROUGH – All signs are point toward defensive Chandler
Jones returning Monday night against the Houston Texans. It couldn't come a
moment sooner.
Jones, who has missed the last two games with an ankle injury, has practiced in a limited capacity this week, and while there's been no official word, those around the organization have hinted that he's on track to play this week.
The Patriots are going to need him. Texans quarterback Matt Schaub has struggled this season when under pressure, completing 53.2 percent of his passes in such situations. The problem is, he's only seen pressure on 127 dropbacks thanks to an offensive line that has only surrendered a league-best 15 sacks.
What makes them so good?
"They're the best team in the NFL," defensive tackle Vince Wilfork said. "They're the best team for a reason. They do a lot of things well."
The Texans do possess the league's best record at 11-1, but more specific, Houston's balanced attack forces team to stay honest. It's hard for guys to rush after Schaub when many of his passing attempts are setup by play-action fakes.
Guess wrong, overcommit and running back Arian Foster, who has run for 1,102 yards, will make you pay.
"It's not like guys are just letting loose out there and getting up the field every play. If you did that, they'll just run it even more," defensive end Rob Ninkovich said. "They do a good job of running the ball and sets up play action. ... It all comes to doing your best to stop the run because that sets everything up."
But in those rare instances when the Patriots have an opportunity to get after Schaub, Jones' presence will help. Last week against the Dolphins, Ninkovich was forced to flip over to the right side, typically the pass-rushing side of the line, from his usual spot on the left.
He's expecting to be back in his home spot Monday night, which will put the 6-foot-2, 260-pound Ninkovich up against Houston's Duane Brown, who has used his 6-foot-4, 320-pound frame to allow just one sack and six quarterback hits this season.
"Yeah, he's a big boy," Ninkovich said. "I'm going to have to do a good job of getting his hands off me. Just do my best to let him clamp me. He likes to pretty much just maul everyone he's going against. Use my agility to keep him off."