The Houston Texans defense improves week-by-week and is an important factor in this five-game win streak. But they’re right on schedule. Why? Take a look.
The Houston Texans defense has improved every week during their five-game winning streak and it has propelled theTexansto the top of the AFC South.
Houston’s defense started off this win streak by allowingAndrew Luckand the Colts to score 34 points, however, what they did better than weeks prior was force turnovers and make impact plays that affected the outcome of the game.
The HoustonTexansbest pass rushers —J.J. WattandJadeveon Clowney— both had two sacks and on top of that Clowney scored the first points of the game for theTexanswith a fumble recovery and touchdown.
On top of that, the HoustonTexansdefense held down the fort and stopped the Colts on fourth down during overtime. This ended up being the last time the Colts had the ball because after that turnover, theTexanswent down the field and scored a 37-yard field goal.
The next game against the Cowboys, theTexansonly allowed the Cowboys to score 16 points. The defense focused on stoppingEzekiel Elliottand lettingDak Prescotttry to beat them.
Well, their plan worked to perfection because Zeke only gained 54 yards on 20 carries and the banged-upTexanssecondary only allowed Dak to throw one touchdown pass.
Then against the Buffalo Bills, theTexanssecondary stepped up and only allowed the Buffalo Bills quarterbacks to throw for a combined 145 yards.
To add to that, while the Bills were driving to take the lead with less than two minutes left in the game,Johnathan JosephinterceptsNathan Petermanand runs it back for the game-winning Pick-6.
Now on to theTexansbest defensive performance of the season against the Jaguars. TheTexans
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only allowed seven points.Tyrann Mathieuhad his best game of the season with five tackles, one sack, one pass defensed and one interception.
TheTexansplayed great defense as a whole and were the reason whyBlake Bortleswas bench for a former Browns quarterback.
During those four games, the Texans defense allowed fewer points per game and played better as a whole.
Now I know the Texans allowed the Dolphins to score 23 points but the defense lost another key member in Joseph — after sustaining an apparent ankle injury — and the secondary let a few plays get by them. However, after the Dolphins offense started the game off with a rushing touchdown byKenyan Drake, the Texans only allowed one more touchdown and that was a trick play by the Dolphins.
If the Texans defense can continue to generate the same type of pass rush, the secondary should be able to continue to make plays for this defense (Injuries and all).
Deshaun Watsonlooks like he has recovered from his early-season injuries, so if this defense can continue to play as one and improve, the Texans will continue to win and shock the league.
This type of characteristic is typical of Romeo Crennel-led defenses, this unit has risen from the middle of the pack to9th in the NFL in yards allowed (334.9).
Let’s hope that this trend of upward progress continues.
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