Denver Broncos: Ranking the top 8 pass rushers in the AFC West

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DENVER, CO – NOVEMBER 15: Linebacker Justin Houston #50 of the Kansas City Chiefs beats the block of Michael Schofield #79 of the Denver Broncos to get to quarterback Brock Osweiler #17 of the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on November 15, 2015, in Denver, Colorado. The Chiefs defeated the Broncos 29-13. (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images) /

5. Justin Houston, Kansas City Chiefs

2017 stats: 15 games, 59 tackles, 9.5 sacks, 0 forced fumbles

Houston has struggled with injuries in recent years, but when he’s on the field, just ask every Denver Broncos right tackle over the past seven years how hard this guy is to block.

It feels like Houston saves his best for the Broncos every year.

He has more than twice as many sacks (13.5) against the Broncos as he does against any other team in the AFC West (Chargers are closest at 6.0).

In Houston’s NFL career (2011-present), the Chiefs have a record of exactly 45-45 when he plays.

In games the Chiefs have won, Houston averages more than a sack per game (50.5 in 45 wins). In their 45 losses, he has just 19 sacks.

The Chiefs’ success, therefore, can almost directly be tied back to whether or not Houston has a sack. If he gets a sack, they are far more likely to win games.

This guy has a tremendous impact as one of the NFL’s elite edge defenders.

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