Tennessee football: How former Vols fared in 2020 NFL divisional round

SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 11: Richard Sherman #25 of the San Francisco 49ers celebrates with teammates after intercepting a pass by Kirk Cousins #8 of the Minnesota Vikings in the third quarter of the NFC Divisional Round Playoff game at Levi's Stadium on January 11, 2020 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 11: Richard Sherman #25 of the San Francisco 49ers celebrates with teammates after intercepting a pass by Kirk Cousins #8 of the Minnesota Vikings in the third quarter of the NFC Divisional Round Playoff game at Levi's Stadium on January 11, 2020 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /
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Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images
Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images /

Pick Analysis. Zach Fulton. player. 10. Scouting Report. Offensive Lineman. Houston Texans. 4

One problem with the Houston Texans was not being able to get the ground game going after getting a 24-0 lead. As a team, they only had 21 carries for 94 yards, and Carlos Hyde only had 13 carries for 44 yards. We have to somewhat blame Zach Fulton for that, as we do the whole line, given what is expected when you have a big lead.

However, lots of that blame falls on Bill O’Brien, who was still trying aggressive trick plays despite the Kansas City Chiefs having one of the worst rush defenses in the NFL. We can’t let him off the hook, and that’s why Fulton can’t take too much blame. His last year with Tennessee football was under Butch Jones, so he knows a thing or two about coaches making basic mistakes.

Sure, in addition to that, Deshaun Watson was sacked five times. But he also had 44 yards on seven carries, making splash plays because people like Fulton gave him time. Fulton got beat on some plays, but he wasn’t the overall issue.

In fact, Pro Football Focus gave Fulton the second-highest block grade on the line from the game, and he registered a score of 88.3. That’s a big deal and shows that he did play well. We only have him down at No. 4 because he’s one of the guys on this list who did have some mistakes that we can point to.