George Pickens Made His Feelings Clear on Texans’ Defense After Cowboys Win

George Pickens had plenty of opportunities to praise the Houston Texans’ defensive backs after the Dallas Cowboys handed Houston another loss on Sunday. Instead, the Cowboys wide receiver made it clear which part of the Texans’ defense impressed him the most. It certainly was not the secondary.

After the game, Pickens was asked about the physicality and play of Houston’s defensive backs, giving him an opportunity to acknowledge a group that has entered the season with some lofty expectations. Rather than complimenting the secondary, however, Pickens redirected his praise toward the Texans’ defensive front, "Na I wouldn’t say that actually. I would say the front.. what is it? Reader, Anderson, few other guys, they definitely got a good front. Oh Danielle Hunter. They definitely got a good front.”

Pickens' answer was notable because of how specifically he avoided giving the Texans’ defensive backs credit. He was presented with multiple opportunities to discuss the secondary and how difficult those players were to deal with, but instead focused on the pressure Houston was able to generate up front. That speaks to the impression the Texans’ defensive line and pass rush made on the Cowboys receiver.

Houston entered the season with expectations that its defense could be one of the best units in the NFL. Will Anderson Jr., Danielle Hunter and Sheldon Rankins give the Texans plenty of talent along the defensive front, while adding players such as D.J. Reader has only increased the attention on that group.

The secondary was supposed to be another major strength. Derek Stingley Jr. has established himself as one of the league’s top cornerbacks, while Houston has continued to invest heavily in its defensive backs. Yet Pickens' comments after facing the Texans suggest that, from his perspective, the front seven was the group that stood out.

That does not necessarily mean the Texans’ defensive backs played poorly against Dallas, but the numbers Pickens and Ceedee Lamb put up are pretty embarrassing for the Houston secondary. 

Still, Pickens' comments are interesting for a Texans defense that has not quite lived up to the expectations placed on it early in the season. If Houston is going to turn things around, the defensive front may be the foundation it continues to lean on, while the secondary is going to have to show some signs of improvement.

At least according to Pickens, that is the part of the Texans' defense that deserves the most credit.