Texans Defense Ready for Primetime Test vs. Chiefs in Week 14
The Houston Texans’ defense hasn’t just been good this season-it’s been a nightmare for opposing quarterbacks. And as we head into a marquee Week 14 showdown on Sunday Night Football, the Kansas City Chiefs are about to find out just how real this unit is.
Yes, the headlines have mostly centered around edge rushers Will Anderson Jr. and Danielle Hunter-and for good reason. But make no mistake: this Texans defense is a full-squad problem, and they’re licking their chops ahead of a primetime battle at Arrowhead.
Kansas City enters this one banged up up front. Both starting tackles are expected to be sidelined, and guard Trey Smith is also likely out.
That’s a brutal setup when you're facing a pass rush as relentless and disciplined as Houston’s. Anderson and Hunter have been feasting all season, and Sunday night could be another buffet.
But it’s not just about the pass rush. Houston’s defense has been one of the most complete units in the league all year. And if they can follow up recent wins over Josh Allen and a high-octane Colts offense with a statement performance against Patrick Mahomes in his own backyard, we’re talking about a defense that will no longer be whispered about-it’ll be shouted from every rooftop in the league.
Texans Defense: Dominant Even in Defeat
Let’s talk about what makes this group so dangerous. Even when the Texans have lost, they’ve been stingy.
In their five losses, Houston has allowed just 19.2 points per game-that’s a number that would rank seventh in the league if it were their season average. And that’s just in the games they didn’t win.
They’ve been disruptive from the jump. Three sacks on Matthew Stafford in Week 1.
Four on Baker Mayfield in Week 2. They held Trevor Lawrence to a 50% completion rate and a 56.5 passer rating in Week 3.
Sam Darnold and Bo Nix? Both held under a 75.0 passer rating.
And those are just the box score numbers. The pressure, the coverage discipline, the ability to confuse quarterbacks pre-snap-this defense is doing it all.
What’s scary is that even when Houston doesn’t get home with a sack, they’re still affecting the play. Quarterbacks are rushed, decision-making is compromised, and the Texans' secondary is capitalizing. There’s no single blueprint to beat this defense-because they don’t give you many cracks to work with.
Rookie WR Duo Showing Early Promise
On the offensive side, Houston’s rookie wide receiver tandem of Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel is starting to carve out a role. No one’s crowning them future Pro Bowlers just yet, but there’s reason to be encouraged.
Higgins brings size and physicality-he’s a 6-foot-4, 220-pound red zone target who mirrors some of what Nico Collins offers. That overlap could be a challenge for the coaching staff to navigate, but it’s the kind of “problem” you don’t mind having when both players can win contested catches and move the chains.
Noel, meanwhile, has stepped up in the absence of Tank Dell. He’s got speed and upside, and while he may not be a household name yet, scouts saw something special in his pre-draft process. There’s a long way to go, but for now, he’s earning snaps-and that says a lot about how much this staff trusts him in big moments.
Can Houston Keep the Momentum Going?
There’s no question the Texans have been one of the league’s hottest teams down the stretch. And based on what we’ve seen from both squads in 2025, you could argue Houston has been the more complete team.
But this is Arrowhead. This is Mahomes.
And this is primetime.
The defense? You can count on them to show up.
They’ve done it all year, and there’s no reason to believe Sunday night will be any different. The real question is whether the offense can rise to the moment.
Houston has the weapons, and they’ve shown flashes. But in a game where every possession matters, can they match the firepower and poise of a Mahomes-led attack under the lights?
If they can, the Texans won’t just be playoff contenders-they’ll be a legitimate threat to make noise in January. Sunday night is their chance to prove it.