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Texans' defense is one of the best in recent years. What history says about how far it can take them.
When it comes to measuring the top NFL defenses from the past decade, the 2025 Houston Texans rank amongst the best — and possibly No. 1.
Six teams have finished with both the fewest yards allowed per game and the fewest points allowed per game in the same season in the past 10 years.
And while three teams in that span have finished with fewer points per game than where the Texans currently sit (16), none have finished with fewer yards per game, according to a Houston Chronicle analysis.
The Texans allow just 266.3 yards per game, which is the fewest since the New York Jets (252.3) in 2009, and better than the Seattle Seahawks' famed Legion of Boom, led by Richard Sherman, Kam Chancellor, Earl Thomas and Bobby Wagner, which is widely regarded as one of the best defenses in NFL history.
Their defense is why the Texans have won five consecutive games, and entering their game against the Cardinals (3-10) this Sunday at NRG Stadium, feel like a favorite to come out of the AFC.
Houston's dominance over the Kansas City Chiefs' offense last Sunday night was the latest example of that.
It held Patrick Mahomes to the worst performance of his career, just a few weeks after doing the same thing on Thursday Night Football to Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills.
Mahomes had three interceptions and no touchdowns Sunday. He finished with a 19.8 passer rating.
The schedule lightens some for the Texans, beginning with the Cardinals, who rank 15th in the NFL in total offense (335.5) and 20th in points per game (21.7). After that, they'll face the Raiders, who rank 31st in total offense (257.2) and 32nd in points per game (15.1).
"If they try to get satisfied, I won't let them," Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said Wednesday.
Read the rest of this story here on why the Texans have been one of the best defenses of the decade.
 | Jonathan M. Alexander, Texans beat reporter |
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Texans Trivia!
Monday's question: Nico Collins passed Kevin Walter for fourth all-time on the Texans' career receiving yards list. Who is third on that list?
Monday's answer: Owen Daniels. No one got this answer correctly.
The next Trivia question will be in Monday's newsletter.
Prediction
Photo by: Chris Shelton
I've correctly guessed the Texans' past two wins. Let's see if I can make it three in a row.
I'm picking the Texans to beat the Cardinals and improve to 9-5.
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