5 Matchups To Watch During Texans vs. Dolphins In NFL Week 7

By Brian Kalchik

5 Matchups To Watch During Texans vs. Dolphins In NFL Week 7

Johnathan Joseph Texans — The Houston Texans and Miami Dolphins are both coming off road wins in Week 6, and will face one another on Sunday. As you will see here, this game will be decided in the trenches. Here are five key matchups to watch in this inter-conference showdown.

5. Jarvis Landry vs. Johnathan Joseph

Jarvis Landry Dolphins

5. Jarvis Landry vs. Johnathan Joseph

Jarvis Landry Dolphins — The Dolphins' passing game has been uneven this season with Ryan Tannehill, but Jarvis Landry has been by far their best offensive weapon. Through six games, Landry has been targeted 51 times and has caught 31 balls for 312 yards. Joseph has had an uneven season for the Texans, but his play continues to get better every week. If Landry gets shut down, the Dolphins will be one-dimensional and this game will be a defensive struggle.

4. DeAndre Hopkins vs. Brent Grimes

DeAndre Hopkins Texans

4. DeAndre Hopkins vs. Brent Grimes

DeAndre Hopkins Texans — DeAndre Hopkins has been on fire the last few weeks with over 100 receiving yards in three consecutive games. He faces Grimes, a former Pro Bowl player who has been hampered by injuries this season, but is one of the best in the game when healthy. If Grimes can shut down Hopkins, the Texans will also be one-dimensional.

3. Ndamukong Suh vs. Ben Jones

Ndamukong Suh Dolphins

3. Ndamukong Suh vs. Ben Jones

Ndamukong Suh Dolphins — After a few uneven games, Ndamukong Suh finally looked the star player that Miami expected him to be against Tennessee. When motivated, Suh can be a one-man wrecking crew who does exceptionally well at stopping the run. He will line up against Jones, a player who is starting just his seventh game at center. Jones has failed to provide good run-blocking on the inside, which doesn't bode well against Suh.

2. Cameron Wake and Olivier Vernon vs. Duane Brown and Derek Newton

Cameron Wake Dolphins

2. Cameron Wake and Olivier Vernon vs. Duane Brown and Derek Newton

Cameron Wake Dolphins — When the Texans are on offense, their biggest priority is to stop Miami's fierce tandem of Wake and Vernon. Both were outstanding last week against Tennessee with Wake recording four sacks. Brown and Newton can more than handle their own on one-on-one matchups, but expect the tight ends or running backs to chip these rushers in order to slow down the pass rush.

1. J.J. Watt vs. Branden Albert

J.J. Watt Texans

1. J.J. Watt vs. Branden Albert

J.J. Watt Texans — The best matchup to watch on Sunday is between J.J. Watt and Branden Albert. Both are Pro Bowl players who have been elite at some point in their careers. Watt is the best defender in football, and should be motivated after being held without a sack in three of the last four games. Albert made his return last week after missing two games, and he will have his hands full.

Brian Kalchik is a Houston Texans writer and featured writer for www.RantSports.com. He also covers the NBA, College Basketball, Fantasy Sports, Clubhouse and College Football for the site. Follow him on Twitter, like him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google+.

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Houston Texans

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Miami Dolphins

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