HOUSTON — The Houston Texans are currently leading the NFL in allowing the fewest points and yards, as they prepare for a crucial matchup against the Denver Broncos on Sunday. Despite their impressive performance, the team remains focused on continuous improvement rather than resting on their laurels.
“We haven’t talked about being the top-ranked defense,” said coach DeMeco Ryans. “It’s all about us. I continue to harp on that with the guys. Can we be even more dialed in on the details of our job? Which I think we can still play better as a defense. So, there’s no pats on the back. It’s how can we continue to get better?”
Ryans emphasized that his players are highly competitive and constantly push each other to perform at their best. This energy has fostered an environment where the defense can thrive.
“The defense is doing a great job of getting off on third down, causing havoc up front,” Ryans said. “When guys are doing a good job, when the coverage is right and guys are where we’re supposed to be, it’s really tough to make a play on us.”
Defensive end Will Anderson echoed this sentiment, stating, “We have to be on our discipline and execution and making sure that we’re a really elite defense.”
The Texans (3-4) are allowing just 266.9 yards per game and 14.7 points. They will now face a Denver team that has scored 77 points in the last five quarters after a stunning 33-point fourth-quarter comeback against the Giants and a 44-point victory over Dallas.
Denver coach Sean Payton acknowledged the challenge posed by the Texans’ defense, praising the group’s coaching and talent.
“The things they do, they do exceptionally well. ... They’re very well coached, they’re very talented,” Payton said. “I think they’ve done a great job of building that defense through the draft, free agency and DeMeco’s put his, you can see his touches all over it.”
Ageless wonder
If he's elevated to the active roster and plays Sunday, as expected, Marcedes Lewis will become the first 41-year-old tight end to play in an NFL game. Payton was impressed by how fit Lewis is at his age, and Lewis explained his secret.
“I live my life like I’m on a one-day contract,” he said. “If I don’t give my absolute best at whatever it is I’m doing that day, I can’t renew my contract. That’s a promise that I’ve made to myself and so that’s how I lead and I transfer that energy into positive things and I rub off on people. That’s one of my super powers.”
Woody’s work
Rookie running back Woody Marks has emerged as a key player for Houston’s offense this season. With Nick Chubb starting every game due to Joe Mixon’s injury, Marks has stepped up as a fourth-round pick from USC.
He ranks second on the team with 214 rushing yards and a touchdown, plus 165 receiving yards with two touchdowns. Last week, he contributed 62 rushing yards and 49 receiving yards to help the Texans beat San Francisco. These performances have made him one of only four rookies this season with at least two games of 110 or more yards of offense.
“He can run, catch, run his blocks, he plays hard,” said quarterback C.J. Stroud. “So, he’s just brought that versatility to our team and our offense. He’s done a lot of good things, come out of the backfield, run game and pass rotation, learning the new scheme. I think he’s done a great job at it.”
Marks was listed as a limited participant at practice Thursday with a calf issue.
Surtain out
Star cornerback Pat Surtain II will miss just his third NFL game Sunday after straining his left pectoral muscle during a tackle against the Cowboys. Kris Abrams-Draine is expected to start alongside Riley Moss in Surtain’s place.
“He’s extremely intelligent and I would say he might have the best hands on this team," Payton said of Abrams-Draine. "He’s got elite ball skills. Now, he’s quiet, but really good football instincts and really good ball skills.”
No argument here
Broncos wide receiver Courtland Sutton smiled when told of his coach’s insistence that a cornerback had better hands than any of the receivers.
“I’m not going to argue with coach,” Sutton said. “Coach knows best. It’s like your parents know best. I’ll let coach have that one. K.A.D. does have great hands, though. Watching him catch the ball in practice, you can tell that there’s some pass receiver in there. So, yeah, coach is always right.”
Red zone woes
Although Houston’s offense improved against the Niners, the team still struggled in the red zone, converting just one of five opportunities.
The Texans lost a yard on third-and-1 from the 14 on their first drive and settled for a field goal. They couldn’t get in the end zone on their second drive, either, and settled for another short field goal.
“We can do a better job of keeping our foot on the gas and being more productive," Ryan said. "A great job of getting in the red zone ... but we want to finish those drives with seven (points), if possible.”