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Houston Texans vs. Saints: Defensive impressions

By Randy Gurzi

Aug 20, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Texans strong safety Quintin Demps (27) celebrates with cornerback A.J. Bouye (21) after a defensive play during the first quarter against the New Orleans Saints at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 20, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Texans strong safety Quintin Demps (27) celebrates with cornerback A.J. Bouye (21) after a defensive play during the first quarter against the New Orleans Saints at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Houston Texans defeated the New Orleans Saints 16-9 on Saturday in what proved to be a defensive beat down of the usually explosive Saints offense

Aug 20, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Texans running back Lamar Miller (26) defensive back Robert Nelson (32) outside linebacker Whitney Mercilus (59) linebacker Brennan Scarlett (57) wave as they walk off the field after defeating the New Orleans Saints in the second half at NRG Stadium. Texans won 16-9. Mandatory Credit: Thomas B. Shea-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 20, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Texans running back Lamar Miller (26) defensive back Robert Nelson (32) outside linebacker Whitney Mercilus (59) linebacker Brennan Scarlett (57) wave as they walk off the field after defeating the New Orleans Saints in the second half at NRG Stadium. Texans won 16-9. Mandatory Credit: Thomas B. Shea-USA TODAY Sports /

What a difference a week makes. The Texans defensive line looked lost without J.J. Watt against the San Francisco 49ers just six days prior to this weekend’s game. On Saturday they looked like a well-oiled machine.

From the get-go they were tough against the run. Saints running back Mark Ingram managed just 11 yards on seven carries and had no room to operate.

Not all the credit belongs to the three men up front though as this was a full-team effort. Throughout the night the cornerbacks and safeties were coming up as well and laying hits on the Saints runners.

Against the pass they were just as good. Early in the game both middle linebackers Brian Cushing and Benardrick McKinney showed their versatility. New Orleans tried to use the speedy running back C.J.Spiller against the much bigger linebacker as he cut across the middle on a pass route.

New Orleans quarterback Drew Brees attempted the pass his way, but the two linebackers were all over him and swatted the pass away. Those two weren’t alone in great individual performances though as several players stood out for Houston.

Next: Individual Performances

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