Houston Texans Defense Finally Getting Some Respect

After what seems like a long overdue amount of time, the Houston Texans defense is finally getting some respect from NFL.com. On today’s main page was a video entitled “Wade’s World“. This video discusses the team’s transition from one of the worst defenses in the league to the best defense in the league, seemingly overnight.

Much credit is due to DC Wade Phillips. What he has accomplished with this young Texans defense is nothing short of a miracle. Even more impressive, perhaps, is the fact that he actually uses  an easier system to learn than most coaches. By doing so players are able to quickly integrate themselves into his defense and begin making an immediate impact on the field.

Not only were the Texans having to deal with a shortened off-season but also with the fact that they would be under the leadership of a new defensive coordinator. Add to that the loss of their starting outside-linebacker, toss in a new cornerback and free-safety, sprinkle in a rookie defensive-end and outside-linebacker and you have the recipe for failure…for most teams.

The Texans, however, have taken their lumps and turned them into gold. They face their adversities head-on and not only overcome them but also become better than they were before they faced them. Where many NFL teams would have faltered, the Texans have prevailed, during the times that other teams would have tossed in the hat and surrendered, the Texans took no prisoners.

This year’s Texans defense is a force to be reckoned with. Of their last six opponents, none of them scored more than 14 total points. Of all of their games this season, only three have managed to accumulate more than 15 points. The Texans have allowed the fewest yards per game this season (274.1), the second fewest points by opponents (189 total points or 15.75 points per game on average), have allowed the third fewest passing yards per game (183.4) and fourth fewest rushing yards per game (90.7). Add to that their 35 sacks thus far (tied for 2nd in the league) and 17 interceptions (tied for 2nd in the league) and you have the best defense in the NFL.

They say that defenses win championships – if that is the case then January 5th, 2011 is a day that will forever be remembered, at least by the Texans. This date was the day that Wade Phillips was added to the Texans coaching staff, their best off-season acquisition in the team’s history.

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