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Justin Houston: Should He Win NFL Defensive Player Of The Year

ByAlec Tilson|

Kansas City Chiefs Linebacker Justin Houston Has A Case For NFL Defensive Player Of The Year

Justin Houston, the outstanding outside linebacker for the Kansas City Chiefs, very well could be the NFL Defensive Player of the Year. 

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He leads the NFL with 18 sacks. He’s got more total tackles than J.J. Watt (17.5 sacks). He’s forced more fumbles (3) than Elvis Dumerville (17 sacks) and Connor Barwin (14.5 sacks). He’s recorded two or more sacks in a single game five times this season. And at least one in 13 of 15 games.

Of course, Justin Houston was just named as one of the four players that will represent the Kansas City Chiefs in the Pro Bowl.

Better yet: Houston has a sack for every Jay Cutler interception this season.  Is that possible?

Houston isn’t just putting together a solid season, though – he’s producing All-Pro numbers for a Kansas City Chiefs defense that’s allowed fewer points against (274) than every NFL team except Seattle and Detroit. And he’s doing it without the heart (linebacker Derrick Johnson) and soul (safety Eric Berry) of Kansas City’s defensive unit behind him.

Seriously though, does Houston  have a legitimate shot to win the Defensive Player Of The Year Award against J.J. Watt’s MVP-caliber and all-around historic 2014? For comparison, the last two linebackers to win the AP Defensive Player Of The Year Award:

  • Terrell Suggs, 2011: 14 Sacks – 50 total tackles – 6 Passes Defended – 2 INT – 7 Forced Fumbles
  • James Harrison, 2008: 16 Sacks – 67 total tackles – 3 Passes Defended – 1 INT – 7 Forced Fumbles
  • Justin Houston, 2014: 18 Sacks – 54 total tackles – 4 Passes Defended – 0 INT – 3 Forced Fumbles

He’s got a very strong, legitimate case.

Sure, Watt impacts a game in more ways than Houston, but the two are equally important to his defense. After Watt, you’d be hard-pressed to find a player more deserving than Houston. Teams have to game plan for Houston, and that is the mark of a star.

Through his fourth season (almost), Houston’s 44.5 career sacks put him in a tie for 4th All-Time in Chiefs history. Behind only Number 58, the incomparable Derrick Thomas,  Neil Smith and Houston’s current running mate Tamba Hali. Andy Reid has said he’s emerged as a leader on the team. Oh and he turns 26 in January. And made less than $2 million in base salary in 2014.

So even if Houston doesn’t win the award, let’s go ahead and pay this guy. He’s the total package.

Next: Four Chiefs Named To The Pro Bowl

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