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New England Patriots GameDay: 5 players who will stampede the Texans

By Tarringo Basile-vaughan

FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS - NOVEMBER 24: Tom Brady #12 and N'Keal Harry #15 of the New England Patriots celebrate after scoring a touchdown during the first quarter against the Dallas Cowboys in the game at Gillette Stadium on November 24, 2019 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Kathryn Riley/Getty Images)
FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS - NOVEMBER 24: Tom Brady #12 and N'Keal Harry #15 of the New England Patriots celebrate after scoring a touchdown during the first quarter against the Dallas Cowboys in the game at Gillette Stadium on November 24, 2019 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Kathryn Riley/Getty Images) /
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New England Patriots John Simon (Photo by Corey Perrine/Getty Images)
New England Patriots John Simon (Photo by Corey Perrine/Getty Images) /

John Simon, DE

The New England Patriots have to get after Deshaun Watson in this game and John Simon has been good at getting pressure on the quarterback and also versatile enough to play back in pass coverage.

Because of this versatility, the former Houston Texans defensive end should see more snaps in this game.  With the Patriots secondary playing as well as they are, expect Watson to hold onto the ball longer to try to extend plays with his arm and feet.

This is where players like Simon, rookie edge rusher Chase Winovich, Kyle Van Noy and Jamie Collins could make life difficult for Watson.  Pressuring and containing him will be key for the defense which makes this game the prefect spot for a player like John Simon who does everything Bill Belichick asks of him.

"“He’s a really smart, tough, dependable player, shows up every day, works hard, does a good job,” Belichick told the media Friday, via Patriots.com.  “A guy you can count on – whatever you ask him to do, you can count on it. He’s going to give it to you every day, whether it’s Wednesday, Friday or Sunday. That’s a good thing.”"

Coming into the game with 3.0 sacks on the season, expect that number to rise for John Simon as he’ll help get some pressure on Deshaun Watson.

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