The Houston Texans have had better results defending the run in 2023. The 7-6 AFC South club gives up the eighth-fewest yards per game at 95.6, and the second-fewest yards per carry at 3.6.
Coach DeMeco Ryans told reporters Wednesday the success begins at the point of attack.
“Our run defense, it definitely starts up front with our defensive line, especially our interior guys,” said Ryans. “If they do a really good job of resetting the line of scrimmage, and it makes the job a lot easier for the guys on the second level to fill in.”
Defensive tackles Sheldon Rankins and Maliek Collins each have 30 combined tackles with the former generating seven tackles for loss and the latter four.
Sunday’s AFC South rivalry with the Tennessee Titans won’t be so much about interior pressure as it will be setting the edge with two-time NFL rushing champion Derrick Henry.
Said Ryans: “They do have a lot of outside zone, where they try to get Henry on the edge and make the corners tackle. So, the primary job for us this week is for our ends to do a really great job of setting the edge and funneling the ball back inside, and see how many hats we can get swarming to the football. And if we do that, that will allow us to play really good run defense.”
The Texans were able to outlast a productive game from Henry last year in Week 16 as the All-Pro running back carried 23 times for 126 yards and a touchdown in a 19-14 Texans win.
