HOUSTON (AP) — The Houston Texans capped off the best defensive season in franchise history with a win over the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday.
Now the Texans (12-5) will look to build on that stellar play when they open the playoffs next Monday night against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Houston's brutal defense, led by stars Will Anderson Jr., Danielle Hunter and Derek Stingley, has allowed 17.3 points and 277.2 yards per game this season, setting franchise records in both categories.
“Our defense has done a great job all year,” coach DeMeco Ryans said. “Constraints, in particular, make you a good defense.”
Their consistent defensive play helped them overcome the loss of quarterback C.J. Stroud, who suffered a concussion in four games midseason, to rally from an 0–3 start to reach the postseason for the third straight season.
Hunter finished third in the NFL with 15 sacks, the second-most of his career behind the 16 1/2 sacks he had in 2023 with the Vikings. He had 54 tackles, including 15 tackles for loss, 22 quarterback hits, three passes defensed, three forced tackles and one fumble recovery.
Anderson ranked fourth in the NFL with a career-high 20 tackles for loss and set career highs with 54 tackles, 12 sacks, 23 quarterback hits, three forced tackles and two fumble recoveries. The 2023 AP Defensive Rookie of the Year also scored his first career touchdown after a failed recovery this season.
Stingley, an All-Pro last season, became the fourth player in franchise history to record at least 15 defensive passes in consecutive seasons. The fourth-year player also led the team with four interceptions, including his first career interception return for a touchdown.
Houston's 19 interceptions ranked third in the NFL and third most in franchise history.
While Ryans is proud of his defense's performance, he is looking for a team that can fix some things after giving up some big plays in recent weeks, including passes of 66 and 53 yards on Sunday.
“We didn't finish the year very well defensively,” Ryans said. “When it comes to giving up explosive plays, it really wasn't good enough defensively. So we need to do a lot better if we want to move forward and play longer in the playoffs… (because) it didn't end the way it should have.”
Anderson agreed and said the defense must do better if the Texans hope to make the playoffs.
“Coach DeMeco talked about being consistent and reliable,” Anderson said. “We have to do it for this run that we will have to continue.”
What works
In addition to defense, the team's strength this season has been the consistent play of striker Kaimi Fairbairn. He made six field goals Sunday, tying a career high and tying the franchise record for most field goals in a game. He made 44 field goals this season, tying David Akers (2011) for the most field goals made in a season in NFL history.
He made 44 of his 48 field goal attempts and each of his 28 extra point attempts. His 51-yard field goal Sunday gives him 51 field goals of 50 yards or longer, third-most among active kickers.
What needs help
The Texans went 2-for-3 from the red zone on Sunday in a game where cornerback C.J. Stroud and many other starters only played until halftime. But the team has struggled in this area all season and ranks 30th in the NFL, scoring touchdowns on just 46.30% of its trips into the red zone.
Stock up
DT Tommy Togiai returned a 17-yard touchdown on the final play of Sunday's game, securing the win and becoming the third defensive tackle in franchise history to return a touchdown. He also had four tackles, including one in a loss to the Colts.
“He’s a coach’s dream,” Ryans said. “He's always in the right place, always doing what you ask him to do. It's a really cool way for him to take that clutch moment and end the game with a touchdown.”
Stocks fell
On Sunday, SK'Von Wallace received a penalty for holding a punt and a penalty for 30-yard pass interference.
Injuries
CB Kamari Lassiter missed Sunday's game with ankle and knee injuries, and it is unclear whether he will be ready to play against the Steelers. … RB Jauhar Jordan left Sunday's game with an ankle injury.
Key figures
9 — Sunday's win was Houston's ninth in a row, marking the longest winning streak in franchise history.
12 – The Texans' 12 wins tie the franchise record for most wins in a regular season. The 2012 team went 12–4 in the 16-game season.
Next steps
The Texans hope to correct their recent defensive mistakes and build on Sunday's strong first-half offensive performance as they travel to face the Steelers.
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