wpostServer: http://css.washingtonpost.com/wpost
http://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/tv-listings-dc/
https://ssl.washingtonpost.com/actmgmt/help/washington-post-e-books
AllMetSports
The Early Lead
Posted at 12:32 PM ET, 09/20/2012

J.J. Watt has “No. 18 on my sack list.” That would be Peyton Manning.


J.J. Watt is having a nice season so far — he has three sacks in two games — and should not give Peyton Manning the Blaine Gabbert treatment. (Phelan M. Ebenhack / AP)
J.J. Watt would like to do what J.J. Watt does — sack quarterbacks — this week. Unfortunately, his next target is a guy no one wants to see sacked.

“I want to have No. 18 on my sack list,” Watt said (via the Houston Chronicle). “That's my goal.”

The Houston Texans face National Treasure Peyton Manning, playing in his third game since missing all of last season because of multiple neck surgeries, and the Denver Broncos on Sunday. Manning, traditionally sack-averse, might be vulverable after his three-interception performance Monday night in a loss to the Atlanta Falcons. Manning’s arm strength was questioned.

Frankly, the Texans’ defensive end looks to sack every single quarterback he faces, but admits that Manning, whom he never got the chance to face as a rookie last season, is a special target. “I’ve always said you want the best,” Watt said. “You don’t earn your stripes playing against inferior competition you want to play against the best every single time and that’s a chance to prove yourself.”

With Manning changing calls at the line and using the no-huddle, the Broncos will present a test for the Texans’ young defense. “You’re not going to sack him every play, so you need to get your hands up in the passing lanes, hopefully frustrate him,” Watt said. “But he is a veteran quarterback, he’s seen that before, he knows people are going to try and bat his passes down. That’s another challenge. I’m excited about it. But I want to sack him, too.”

Follow us: @CindyBoren | @MattBrooksWP

More

Manning isn’t worried about a big hit

Tony Dungy traces Manning’s neck problems to 2006 game against Redskins

Did Manning have a fourth surgery?

By  |  12:32 PM ET, 09/20/2012

Loading...

Comments

Add your comment
 
Read what others are saying About Badges
     

    © 2011 The Washington Post Company
    Section:/blogs/early-lead