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The Texans’ Defense Has Flipped Houston’s Season

Originally posted on The Lead | By Cody Taylor | Last updated Dec 10, 2025 9:04 PM ET

The Houston Texans won their fifth straight game on Sunday, stonewalling the Kansas City Chiefs 20-10. The win brought the team to an 8-5 record, which feels miraculous after a dreadful 0-3 start to the year, vaulting them into the playoff picture and back into the AFC South title race.

The biggest reason for the season’s revival has been the defense’s amazing play, which has kept the Texans in every single game this season.

Where the Texans Sit

The Texans’ defense has been a force to be reckoned with, to say the least. As a unit, Houston’s defense still leads the NFL in points allowed, giving up an average of just 16 points per game. They have allowed opponents to score 20 or more points only three times this season, and have shut out their opponent once (Titans).

Their defense has kept it so that all five of the Texans’ losses have been within one score. Their five losses have amounted to a total of 24 points.

The wins also highlight the defensive effort, as they have allowed 0, 10, 15, 29, 13, 19, 16, and 10 points in their eight wins. The efforts against the Bills and Chiefs are signature wins and outings, as they held Josh Allen and Patrick Mahomes to a total of 413 yards and 5 interceptions between the two of them.

Via @NFLonCBS on IG:

“Texans are the only team in the last 40 seasons to hold opponents under 225 pass yds in each of their first 13 games.”

And this is in a passing league with all the rules in favor of promoting passing & points pic.twitter.com/3SQuRyXSas

— Houston Stressans (@TexansCommenter) December 8, 2025

Leading the Way Up Front

The defense is led by the dynamic pass-rushing duo of Will Anderson Jr. and Danielle Hunter, who lead the team in sacks with 10.5 and 11 sacks respectively while no other defender has more than 2.5 sacks.

Their efforts have terrorized opposing offenses, including a season-high eight sack effort against the Buffalo Bills.

The linebackers have done their part; Azeez Al-Shaair is leading the team with 84 total tackles, and great effort on the run defense.

Defensive Backfield

The defensive backs cannot be overlooked in the grand scheme of the defense. The Texans are in a four-way tie for second place with 15 interceptions as a team.

Leading the way for Houston are the safeties Jalen Pitre and Calen Bullock with four each, and the cornerbacks All-Pro Derek Stingley Jr., and second-year Kamari Lassiter with three each.

Linebacker Al-Shaair also has the interception that Travis Kelce bobbled to seal the win against the Chiefs. Pitre has also been a force in coverage, delivering massive hits all season long, which the country was able to see when he leveled Rashee Rice.

The Texans’ secondary has been a nightmare for the opposing offenses all season long and will continue to be a force in these final four games.

Knocked the SONIC RINGS out of him pic.twitter.com/byb4cUvWd2

— Houston Texans (@HoustonTexans) December 9, 2025

Keep the Foot On the Gas

The defense has led the way for the 2025 Texans, and they have to be the driving force going into these final four games. This unit will make or break how the season finishes out.

As long as the offense doesn’t cost them games, the Texans can make noise and have a chance to be a threat in the playoffs.

This article first appeared on The Lead and was syndicated with permission.

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