Daniel Jones reveals the Texans' suffocating defense boasts elite personnel, relentless pressure, and a cunning scheme that stifles opposing offenses.
The Houston Texans (7-5) were a team to monitor before Sunday's games. After a 20-16 win over the Indianapolis Colts (8-4), they are a force to be reckoned with and a team to be feared.
Houston is a complete football team with the return of C.J. Stroud. His debut back from injury went as well as could have been expected. Stroud completed 22 of 35 passes for 276 yards to get the offense in a positive direction. Yet without him, the team won three consecutive games prior to his return.
The Texans' defense is the driving force for success so far in 2025. It proved to be the difference maker again on Sunday.
The team limited Indianapolis running back Jonathan Taylor to 85 yards on 21 carries and held Colts quarterback Daniel Jones to 14 completions on 27 attempts for 201 yards.
Indianapolis' 281-yard game was just another day at the job for Houston, who ranks No. 1 in the NFL in points allowed per game (16.5), No. 1 in yards allowed per game (265.7), No. 4 in passing yards allowed per game (174.0) and No. 4 in rush yards allowed per game (91.7).
Houston head coach DeMeco Ryans has a championship caliber defense that may soon be more widely viewed as such. Indianapolis quarterback Daniel Jones discussed what makes the Texans defense so difficult to score against in 2025.
“They do a good job mixing up looks," Daniels said. "I think their personnel is good, they rush the passer well, they got good guys in the secondary and got a good scheme. So, you know, hats off to them they’re a good group, but when you look at it, I think we know we've got to execute at a higher level."
Though he put blame on himself and his team, Jones and company did not as play poorly as the quote would indicate. The former New York Giants signal caller had two touchdowns and no interceptions while going over the 200-yard mark. The reason for the team's lack of explosion might have simply been about what the Texans defense took away.
Houston head coach DeMeco Ryans has a perfect storm brewing. The Texans have the talent, athleticism, development and schematic advantage to shut down the league's best on a given day. They proved it against one of the more difficult to stop offensive attacks on Sunday. Now, they'll look to secure a trip to the postseason and make a run.