The Houston Texans may have a bad record at 2-9, but the defense is starting to develop as a formidable unit.
Houston has held opponents to below 25 points for three consecutive weeks. In that spans, the Texans defense has also procured 11 takeaways.
In the 21-14 loss to the New York Jets in Week 12, cornerback Tavierre Thomas collected a pass that deflected off the back of a Jets running back. The takeaway was the first career interception for Thomas.
According to Texans coach David Culley, why the Texans have had so much fortune in generating turnovers is due to each player on defense playing their particular assignment and not trying to do too much.
“I think the reason [Thomas] was able to get that interception is because defensively at that point, our defense was playing, as I’ve mentioned what the Colts have been doing, they play 11-on-11 defense,” Culley said. “Guys are in the right spot, quarterback thought he could get the ball in there. Guy tipped the ball, Tavierre is right there where he should be, makes a play.”
The Texans have had three games this season wherein the defense did not force any turnovers, and one of those games was against Indianapolis, who Houston faces in Week 13 at NRG Stadium.
“That’s what happens, that’s how they come,” Culley said. “They come when you’re playing team defense. They’re created by you doing what you should be doing defensively, and being in your position and doing your job. When a quarterback makes a mistake, especially when you’re in zone coverage the way we have been a bunch, then those things happen.”
The Texans are fifth in the NFL with 20 turnovers. Houston, the New York Giants, and Miami Dolphins are the only teams in the top-10 in takeaways that have losing records. The Colts are No. 1 with 27 takeaways.
