The Houston Texans’ defense made the kind of noise at Saturday night’s practice that gets attention fast.
While the offense had trouble settling in, the defensive side kept stacking wins. ESPN’s DJ Bien-Aime wrote that the group “displayed the potential of a top-three unit in the NFL.” That assessment came after a night filled with sacks, pass breakups and an interception from Pro Bowl safety Calen Bullock.
The big plays were one thing. The standard behind them was another.
Bien-Aime reported that Texans defensive coordinator Matt Burke called the performance “okay,” a reminder that Houston’s defense is not grading itself on a curve. Burke said Houston is chasing perfection defensively, even after a practice that would have satisfied plenty of other teams.
That mindset fits the group Houston has assembled. Will Anderson Jr. and Derek Stingley Jr. head a defense loaded with talent, depth and young players who can make an impact. It’s the kind of collection that gives Burke plenty to work with, and plenty to demand from.
The encouraging part for Houston is that the unit wasn’t content with simply flashing. Even with the sacks, the turnover and the disruptive plays, there was still a sense that more was expected.
That matters for a defense with legitimate ambitions of being one of the league’s best.
Houston is going to need that side of the ball to shoulder a heavy load while the offense keeps developing. If the Texans can keep generating pressure, taking away explosive plays and forcing turnovers, this defense could become one of the AFC’s biggest strengths.
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Texans Stay Linked To A Former First Rounders Troubling Situation
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Arnolds case is the kind of off-field development that forces teams to weigh talent against risk, especially when the legal cloud is still hanging over the situation. He has also met with Seattle, and Houstons link to him is just one more reminder that the Texans are watching a market where the football questions are easy to see, but the real answer may not be. [Read more 🡒]