When it comes to the Houston Texans’ defense being rated the best in the NFL, the Denver Broncos have some serious opinions. Some of it is typical glad-handing and the standard compliments from the offensive guys, but there’s a defender or two who might beg to differ.
Start with the numbers. The Texans give up just 14.7 points a game to now with 266.9 yards, according to Chris Thomasson of the Denver Gazette, and those numbers have helped Houston bounce back from an 0-3 start and get within striking distance of the Indianapolis Colts, who are 7-1.
This isn’t just an early-season phenomenon, either, according to Denver coach Sean Payton.
“We’re not at Week 3 now,’’ Payton said. “We’re far enough along where that’s the DNA. They’re real good.”
Payton also noted that the Texans do a number of things well, adding that you can see the influence of Houston coach DeMeco Ryans on his defensive charges.
“You can see his touches all over,’’ Payton said.
Broncos offensive tackle knows all too well how Ryans works. He played for the San Francisco 49ers from 2018-2022, when Ryans was an assistant coach and then a defensive coordinator.
“They’re talented and they’re very well coached, and they play hard,’’ McGlinchey said of the Texans’ defenders. “I remember how DeMeco coached when I was with him in San Francisco. They’re a really talented group and it’s a huge challenge for us.’’
Running the ball will be a key factor, and this will be yet another tough test for Denver’s reconfigured offensive line, which is missing regular left guard Ben Powers and his backup, Matt Peart, with both linemen currently on IR.
“That’s the key is being able to run the ball and and stay ahead of the sticks because I think obviously when you got the type of front they have, when you get behind the chains, that makes it pretty tough on the quarterback,’’ said receiver Trent Sherfield, who was with the Minnesota Vikings when they used a 102-yard game from running back Aaron Jones to get a 34-7 win.
The Broncos’ defense has some pride on the line in this one, however. They’re leading the league in sacks, and lineman John Franklin-Meyers passed the usual compliments while adding a bit of an edge to them.
“We want to be the best and we know that we’re the best and it’s just another opportunity to go out there and prove we’re the best,’’ Franklin-Myers said. “That’s a good defense (the Texans have). I’ve got nothing bad to say about them. They’ve got some good pass rushers over there. … But at the end of the day, we want to be best.”