J.J. Watt has re-injured his back and been placed on injured reserve, costing him the next eight games at a minimum. Gone is his veteran leadership and on-field disruptiveness, and gone is the league's best defensive player. Gone also is the heart of the Houston pass rush.

Watt racked up 75.5 sacks over the last five seasons. That's nearly 40 percent of the team's sacks during that span. Houston still has Whitney Mercilus and Jadeveon Clowney, but the defense looks a whole lot less intimidating right now.

Since Watt entered the league, only seven teams have more sacks than Houston. Big loss.

TEAM SACKS, 2011-2015
Team1112131415Total
Denver4152414152227
St. Louis3952534041225
Minnesota5044414143219
Carolina3139604044214
New England4037484049214
Baltimore4837404937211
Green Bay2947444143204
Houston4444323845203
Philadelphia5030374937203
Cincinnati4551432042201
Arizona4238473536198
Buffalo2936575421197
Kansas City2927474647196
Miami4142423931195
Detroit4134334242192
NY Jets3530414539190
Pittsburgh3537343348187
Seattle3336443737187
NY Giants4833344723185
Washington4132363738184
San Francisco4238383628182
Tennessee2839363939181
Chicago3341313935179
Indianapolis2932424135179
New Orleans3330493431177
Cleveland3238403129170
Dallas4234342831169
Jacksonville3120314536163
San Diego3238352632163
Oakland3925382238162
Tampa Bay2327353638159
Atlanta3329322219135

--Andy Richardson