Watt was dominant versus the Titans totaling 2 sacks, 4 QB hits, and 4 QB hurries. Here are some of his plays versus the Titans where he utilized the hump move to get to the quarterback.
Play 1
Situation: 3rd and 7 at HOU 45
Description: Q2 – (10:27) (Shotgun) Z.Mettenberger pass incomplete deep right to N.Washington [J.Watt].
Endzone View
Step 1 – Watt explodes off of the line of scrimmage and engages with the inside shoulder of the LT.
http://i.imgur.com/P63cKOb.jpg
Step 2 – He shoves the LT with his inside (left) hand and makes the LT off-balanced while committing to pass blocking inside.
http://i.imgur.com/52jtglp.jpg
Step 3 – He rushes to the outside and speeds around the edge, where the LT makes a diving attempt at a block.
http://i.imgur.com/YERJakz.jpg
Step 4 – He uses his superior balance and footwork to not run past the play and disrupts the QB.
http://i.imgur.com/vUAC4d4.jpg
Note: The hump move is an very hard move to pull off. If the initial shove does not make the offensive lineman commit to blocking in the incorrect direction, the offensive lineman will have inside leverage and can eliminate you from the play. Reggie White was so effective in the past because he had a rare combination of speed off of the line and power to make an offensive lineman commit to the wrong side so he could use his speed to close in on the quarterback.
Play 2
Situation: 1st and 10 at TEN 47
Description: Q2 – (11:59) Z.Mettenberger pass incomplete deep middle to N.Washington [J.Watt]. PENALTY on HST-J.Tuggle, Illegal Contact, 5 yards, enforced at TEN 47 – No Play.
Endzone View
Watt uses his hump move while running stunts with LB56 Brian Cushing to break into the backfield.
Watt initially aims for the B-gap between the RG and RT, but the center and RG close down the hole. Watt pushes off of the RG at the top of his initial get off and uses his speed to break through the A-gap instead hitting QB Mettenberger as he is releasing the ball. This hit disrupts Metterbergers throwing motion so he passes it short of his intended receiver crossing the middle.
Play 3
Situation: 2nd and 3 at HOU 49
Description: Q2 – (1:20) (Shotgun) Z.Mettenberger pass incomplete short right to D.McCluster [J.Watt]. The Replay Official challenged the runner was down by contact ruling, and the play was REVERSED. The Texans Called a Timeout (Shotgun) Z.Mettenberger sacked at TEN 37 for -14 yards (J.Watt).
Endzone View
Watt lines up in the 5-technique against the LT. In this play, Watt uses his swim move to break into the backfield and sack the quarterback.
Step 1 – Watt explodes off of the line of scrimmage.
http://i.imgur.com/OS16lOj.jpg
Step 2 – He immediately tries to swat the LT’s inside (right) arm away from the play.
http://i.imgur.com/YXJmbc7.jpg
Step 3 – He then brings his outside arm over the top of the LT.
http://i.imgur.com/y0vTZ4Z.jpg
Step 4 – He then speeds through the hole against the off-balanced LT to pursue the QB for a large sack on the play.
http://i.imgur.com/n27J2Rn.jpg
Play 4
Situation: 2nd and 10 at TEN 14
Description: Q2 – (:24) (Shotgun) Z.Mettenberger pass short left to K.Wright to TEN 23 for 9 yards (D.Swearinger; M.Mohamed) [J.Watt].
Endzone View
Watt lines up in the 5-technique against the LT and uses his speed rush around the edge to hit the QB.
Step 1 – Watt lines up roughly 1-1.5 yards outside the LT in order to give him the proper width to rush around the edge. Watt explodes off of the line of scrimmage and takes a big step around the LT.
http://i.imgur.com/8VRLDue.jpg
Step 2 – He sinks his hips and uses a variation of the rip move to get around the LT.
http://i.imgur.com/lR0rMRH.jpg
Step 3 – He speeds towards the QB delivering a hit.
http://i.imgur.com/2hmg2DN.jpg
Note: A defensive lineman using a speed rush has to commit to going all out on the play. That’s why you will see an offensive lineman be able to push you out of the play if you can’t sink your hips and turn around the edge.
Play 5
Situation: 1st and 10 at TEN 41
Description: Q3 – (3:04) (Shotgun) J.Locker pass short left to D.McCluster pushed ob at TEN 47 for 6 yards (K.Lewis).
Endzone View
Watt lines up in the 5-technique and uses the stab-and-grab move to put pressure on the QB.
Step 1 – Watt explodes off of the line towards the offensive lineman.
http://i.imgur.com/es54VjE.jpg
Step 2 – He engages with his inside arm and the offensive lineman grabs Watt to slow him down.
http://i.imgur.com/BsYNp8K.jpg
Step 3 – Watt then takes his free arm and grabs the offensive linemans arm that is grabbing him from Step 2 and then pushes it upwards.
http://i.imgur.com/ojiPDEv.jpg
Step 4 – Watt drives the offensive lineman back into the pocket pressuring the QB.
http://i.imgur.com/pyZnULt.jpg
Some might think this is a bull-rush, but this is not the case. In the bull rush your goal is to engage directly inside the pads creating leverage as you drive the offensive lineman backwards. In this Watt uses his arms to grab the offensive linemans hands out of the play.
Play 6
Situation: 1st and 10 at TEN 48
Description: Q4 – (9:57) (Shotgun) J.Locker sacked at TEN 38 for -10 yards (J.Watt). FUMBLES (J.Watt), RECOVERED by HST-J.Watt at TEN 38. J.Watt to TEN 24 for 14 yards (K.Wright).
Endzone View
Watt uses his speed rush like in play 4 to get around the edge to force the fumble on QB Locker.
Play 7
Situation: 1st and 1 at TEN 1
Description: Q4 – (9:00) R.Fitzpatrick pass short right to J.Watt for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN. R.Bullock extra point is GOOD, Center-J.Weeks, Holder-S.Lechler.
Sideline View
Endzone View
Fitzpatrick in I-formation motions Watt from the backfield to an offset-I formation pre-snap. Watt runs a quick out route gaining separation on LB59 Woodyard in coverage. Watt dives for the ball and pulls it in for a touchdown.
Watt’s performance versus the Titans was incredible. He used a variety of moves including the hump, swim, speed rush and stab-and-grab to get around the opposing lineman. It was extremely surprising not seeing him listed as a defensive player of the week.
