Houston Texans linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair. Sean Thomas-Imagn Images

Azeez Al-Shaair shares bold claim about Texans after 'TNF' win over Bills

By Zac Wassink | Last updated Nov 21, 2025 11:01 AM ET

The Houston Texans defense produced a dominant showing in Thursday night's 23-19 win over the Buffalo Bills, improving them to 6-5 on the season.

Following that victory, linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair shared a bold claim about the 2025 Texans.

Azeez Al-Shaair calls shot about Houston defense

"We definitely got the best defense in the league," Al-Shaair said, per ESPN's DJ Bien-Aime. "You just got to put it on tape every day."

Multiple stats support Al-Shaair's take. According to ESPN, the Texans finished Thursday's game ranked first in the NFL in total yards allowed per game (264.3) and points allowed per game (16.5).

Against the Bills, Houston recorded eight sacks and 12 quarterback hits on reigning Most Valuable Player Josh Allen. Allen was seen shaking out his right hand on the field and in the locker room after the game, and he also appeared to suffer a minor injury to his non-throwing shoulder during the first quarter.

"We have that mindset, that we are the best every time we step out there on the field," Texans safety Calen Bullock told Bien-Aime after Bullock tallied a forced fumble and two interceptions.

2 INTs and 1 forced fumble.

Have a night, Calen Bullock pic.twitter.com/rLmfft7DSm
— NFL (@NFL) November 21, 2025

DeMeco Ryans praises defensive line for leading Texans to win over Bills

Six different Houston players recorded at least half a sack during Thursday's victory. The Texans may need that kind of team effort when they face the high-powered offense of the Indianapolis Colts on Nov. 30.

8-2 Indianapolis plays at the Kansas City Chiefs (5-5) this Sunday.

"Credit goes to, first and foremost, our defensive line," Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans said following the win over the Bills. "For the way they go out, the way those guys relentlessly rush the passer, and everybody on the back end is playing sound and playing together. When we do that, we're tough to move the ball against. So, our players are doing an outstanding job."

As of Friday morning, the ESPN Football Power Index gave the Texans a 37.5 percent chance to make the playoffs. Houston players and coaches will likely spend Sunday doing some scoreboard watching before they begin preparing for the Colts matchup.

Zac Wassink

Zac Wassink is a longtime sports news writer and PFWA member who began his career in 2006 and has had his work featured on Yardbarker, MSN, Yahoo Sports and Bleacher Report. He is also a football and futbol aficionado who is probably yelling about Tottenham Hotspur at the moment and who chanted for Matt Harvey to start the ninth inning of Game 5 of the 2015 World Series at Citi Field. You can find him on X at @ZacWassink

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