Houston's suffocating defense relentlessly stifles opponents, proving their league-leading dominance against the Colts and every team faced.
As the final whistles sounded and coaching staffs and players of various jersey colors filled Lucas Oil Field after a 20-16 Houston Texans (7-5) win vs. the Indianapolis Colts (8-4), the NFL world was yet again reminded of a very sobering reality: Houston's defense is #1 in the league for a reason.
Texans Head coach Demeco Ryans and defensive coordinator Matt Burke once again pitched a defensive gem when the franchise needed it most, holding the NFL's #1 scoring offense (32.1/game) to (new averages factored in):
- 16 points (29.8 average)
- 281 total yards (375.4 average)
- 17 first downs (22 average)
- 3/10 on 3rd down (40.74 average), 0/2 on 4th down (73.91% average)
- 25:02 in time of possession (29:41 average)
This continued a trend of the Texans neutralizing offenses, terrorizing quarterbacks and dominating on every level of defensive football.
Houston Texans defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins (90) brings down Indianapolis Colts quarterback Daniel Jones (17) on Sunday, Nov. 30, 2025, during a game at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. © Grace Hollars/IndyStar/ USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn ImagesDefensive Dominance Thus Far
Here is how the Texans' defense has affected all nine other opponents faced in key offensive areas, alongside their season averages (Jacksonville Jaguars and Tennessee Titans faced twice each):
Los Angeles Rams (9-3): 14 points scored (27.8 average), 296 total yards (360.1 average), LOSS
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-5): 20 points scored (23.3 average), 191 passing yards (206.3 average), LOSS
Jacksonville Jaguars (8-4): 17 points scored (24.3 average), 291 total yards (326.0 average), LOSS
Tennessee Titans (1-11): 0 points scored (14.2 average), 175 yards (242.4 average), WIN
Baltimore Ravens (6-6): 10 points scored (24.1 average), 207 yards (317.3 average), WIN
Seattle Seahawks (9-3): 27 points scored (29.2 average), 316 total yards (352.5 average), LOSS
San Francisco 49ers (9-4): 15 points scored (23.6 average), 223 yards (341.2 average), WIN
Denver Broncos (9-2): 18 points scored (23.4 average), 271 yards (335.3 average), LOSS
Jacksonville Jaguars (8-4): 29 points scored (mostly special teams miscues) (24.3 average), 0 fourth quarter points scored, WIN
Tennessee Titans (1-11): 13 points scored (14.2 average), 229 yards (242.4 average), WIN
Buffalo Bills (8-4): 19 points scored (28.1 average), 326 yards (381.0 yards), WIN
Even though the Texans are sitting right outside of the AFC playoff picture in the eighth seed, their defensive excellence has helped propel them to still having the sixth best point differential in the AFC at +65 (10th best in the entire NFL).
Can They Keep It Up?
They have a chance to win every game with this defensive unit playing the way that it is, even in spite of an offense that is still trying to find its consistency.
Whether it's been Will Anderson and Danielle Hunter causing havoc for offensive lines, or Derek Stingley, Kamari Lassiter, and the secondary suffocating receiving routes, Houston has been able to dictate the tempo and physicality of essentially every game played.
With games left against the Kansas City Chiefs, Los Angeles Chargers and the Colts again, they're going to need every ounce of that fight to finish the regular season strong and hopefully secure their third AFC playoff berth in as many seasons under Ryans and Stroud's franchise stewardship.
Do you think this historic defense will eventually catapult the Texans in an AFC playoff spot this season? Let us know your thoughts in the comment section below or on the official Texans Roundtable X account, @Texans_RTB!