Through 14 weeks of the NFL season, the Houston Texans' defense has been the headline act - and rightfully so. This unit, built with relentless speed and discipline, has become the backbone of a remarkable midseason turnaround.
After starting 0-3, Houston has rattled off five straight wins to climb to 8-5, and the defense is the driving force behind it all. Head coach DeMeco Ryans and defensive coordinator Matt Burke have crafted one of the most dominant defenses the league has seen in over a decade - a group that consistently suffocates opposing offenses and gives Houston a fighting chance every week.
But while the defense has earned its flowers, the Texans' offense has been under the microscope - and not always in a flattering light. First-year offensive coordinator Nick Caley inherited a unit that underwent a major offseason overhaul, and while there have been flashes of potential, consistency has been hard to come by.
The reality? Houston’s offense has been riding in the passenger seat while the defense does the heavy lifting.
Let’s take a closer look at what this offense has actually produced through 13 games - and what the numbers tell us about where this unit stands.
Texans Offensive Output, Game-by-Game:
- **vs.
Rams:** 265 total yards, 0 TDs, 9 points
- **vs.
Buccaneers:** 266 total yards, 2 TDs, 19 points
- **vs.
Jaguars (first meeting):** 271 total yards, 1 TD, 10 points
- **vs.
Titans (first meeting):** 353 total yards, 3 TDs, 26 points
- **vs.
Ravens:** 417 total yards, 5 TDs, 44 points
- **vs.
Seahawks:** 254 total yards, 1 TD, 19 points
- vs. 49ers: 475 total yards, 2 TDs, 26 points
- vs. Broncos: 268 total yards, 0 TDs, 15 points
- vs. Jaguars (second meeting): 412 total yards, 4 TDs, 36 points
- vs. Titans (second meeting): 315 total yards, 1 TD, 16 points
- vs. Bills: 261 total yards, 2 TDs, 23 points
- vs. Colts: 364 total yards, 2 TDs, 20 points
- vs. Chiefs: 268 total yards, 2 TDs, 20 points
Season Averages:
- Total Yards/Game: 322.2 (20th in NFL)
- Passing Yards/Game: 216.5 (16th)
- Rushing Yards/Game: 105.7 (23rd)
- Points/Game: 21.8 (20th)
That’s a mixed bag. Some weeks, they look like a unit that can go toe-to-toe with anyone - like the 417-yard, 44-point outburst against Baltimore.
Other weeks, it’s a grind just to move the chains. The inconsistency has been the story.
To be fair, Houston did have to navigate a tough stretch without starting quarterback C.J. Stroud, who missed Weeks 10 through 12 after suffering a concussion in Week 9 against Denver.
But even before Stroud’s absence, the offense was struggling to find rhythm. The run game has been hit-or-miss, red zone efficiency has lagged, and turnovers have popped up at the worst possible times.
Context Matters: Houston’s Opponents Have Been No Joke
It’s important to note that Houston hasn’t exactly had a soft schedule. They’ve faced five defenses that are either in or hovering just outside the top 10 in total defense - including the Jaguars, Seahawks, Broncos, Bills, and Chiefs. That’s a gauntlet for any offense, let alone one still finding its identity under a new coordinator.
Here’s how Houston has fared based on the strength of opposing defenses:
- Against top-10 total defenses: 3-3
- Against non-top-10 total defenses: 5-2
- Against top-10 scoring defenses: 3-4
- Against non-top-10 scoring defenses: 5-1
That tells us something important: when the Texans face defenses that aren’t elite, they usually come out on top. And that’s where the final stretch of the season gets interesting.
Looking Ahead: A Chance to Build Momentum
Houston’s last four games offer a real opportunity to get the offense clicking at the right time. Only one of their remaining opponents - the Chargers in Week 17 - boasts a top-10 defense (4th in total defense, to be exact).
The others? The Cardinals (24th), Raiders (16th), and Colts (23rd) all rank in the bottom half of the league defensively.
That’s not just a break - it’s a runway. If Caley’s offense can take advantage of these matchups, the Texans could enter the postseason with a more balanced attack and a real shot to make noise.
The Texans are still clinging to the AFC’s 7th seed, and the AFC South race is far from over. A strong finish from the offense could be the difference between a quick playoff exit and a team nobody wants to face in January.
The defense has carried Houston this far. Now, it’s on the offense to hold up its end of the bargain.