HOUSTON – For Texans defensive tackle Tim Settle Jr, Sunday’s football game against the Buffalo Bills will feel a bit like he’s back in upstate New York as he grapples with an offensive line he battled every day during the past two years as teammates.
How does he approach the matchup?
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“I’ll take it as a normal game, I just know the faces I’m going against,” Settle told KPRC 2. “They know I’m looking forward to this game and I hope they’re looking forward to it just as much. Ain’t nothing changed. They know how I play. They know what I can do.”
Four games into the season for the 3-1, AFC South-leading Texans, Settle has fit in well since signing a two-year, $7 million contract this offseason.
Settle has played in every game and has seven tackles and two sacks with three tackles for losses.
The 6-foot-3, 313-pounder is looking forward to chasing around Bills star quarterback Josh Allen, one of the biggest and most elusive quarterbacks in the game.
“Outstanding quarterback, jack of all trades, has outstanding awareness in the pocket,” Settle said. “Definitely awareness outside the pocket and tries to extend plays. He’s real good at what he does, getting guys off track, extending plays. He looks for a lot of home runs.”
'They know I'm looking forward to this game,' #Texans Tim Settle Jr., on matchup against #Bills his former team. @KPRC2 pic.twitter.com/FZI0Z33Whd
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) October 5, 2024
Settle equaled his combined sack total from the past two seasons with the Bills when he recorded one sack each year. After being shut out on the stat sheet in the first two games, Settle had three tackles and two quarterback hits against the Minnesota Vikings.
Settle has size, strength and quickness working in his favor.
“Yeah, Tim has progressed really well with what we’ve asked him to do,” Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said. “Tim did a great job. That’s an example of a guy who just was doing his job, pressing the pocket, playing big, playing physical in the middle of the defense. And with the guys winning on the edge, quarterback has to step up and Tim is the beneficiary of those sacks because he’s just doing his job.
“That’s our focus each and every game. Each and every time we step out, everybody just do your part and you’ll make the plays that you’re supposed to make. So, excited with what Tim is doing and excited to see him continue to build.”
#Texans coach DeMeco Ryans on two-sack performance from defensive tackle Tim Settle Jr. @tim_settle against #Vikings and how it resulted from 'doing his job' and playing 'tough and physical' @KPRC2 https://t.co/f0AKkJzSzb pic.twitter.com/9YWD95BTUR
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) September 25, 2024
Settle played in 17 games with two starts last season for the Bills. he recorded 14 tackles, one for losses and one sack. For his career, Settle has 87 tackles, nine sacks, 17 tackles for losses and 16 quarterback hits in 95 career games and six starts.
“That’s what happens when you let a guy spin a little bit,” Settle said. “That’s bound to happen. That isn’t my best game yet. I’ve got it under my feet and I feel like I’m able to help my defense on a lot of levels, run and pass.”
Settle, 26, has played in the NFL for six seasons. He had five sacks in 2020 while playing for Washington. Settle is a former Virginia Tech player and was drafted to Washington with a fifth-round selection.
At Virginia Tech, Settle was a second-team All-Atlantic Coast Conference selection.
When Settle played for the Bills, he became a connoisseur of the local Buffalo wing scene.
His preferred spot: Bar-Bill.
Favorite wings: Sicilian style.
“It’s like a garlic parm sauce,” Settle said. “They put little garlic flakes on there and they actually make you feel special.”
What about a beef on a weck sandwich?
No dice.
“I don’t like that,” Settle said. “That’s not my thing.”
Aaron Wilson is a Texans and NFL reporter for KPRC 2 and click2houston.com.
