Film Study: Why the Texans Defense Needs to Be More Aggressive

The Houston Texans have been known for their defense over the past year. It was supposed to be a continuation of that same dominant unit for the 2026 season as well. There were some new pieces added to the group, and the expectation was that this Texans defense could be generational.

Well, so far this season, that has not been the case at all. This Texans defense has not been a top five unit, let alone a top 10 one this season. The play has been about average. Given that the whole talk about the Texans in the offseason was a team led by their incredible defense and all that was needed was average offensive play.

Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud has played excellently so far this season and has honestly done all he could with the support he's gotten. When the Houston offense has been healthy, it has performed. The defense hasn't held its end of the bargain.

That was on display against the Dallas Cowboys in Week 4, among other games. The late-game collapses have also been a problem against the Indianapolis Colts and Buffalo Bills. There's no doubt that the Texans defense has the talent to be just as good as last year. However, it hasn't come together through four games.

Film Study: Why the Texans Defense Needs to Be More Aggressive

When the tape is on, it's clear that the Texans are missing some opportunities to play a bit more aggressively given the kind of talent that is in the secondary. While the Texans pass rush can be better, it's the secondary that is playing quite soft.

The opponents also deserve some credit, but the Texans defense is capable of playing better. The pass rush and coverage have to work together, and there are times where it doesn't. The problem is that there are gaping holes across the field in many different situations. Given the talent that the back-end of the Texans defense has in All-Pro cornerback Derek Stingley Jr., Kamari Lassiter, Jalen Pitre, Calen Bullock, and Reed Blankenship, it's surprising this has been the case.

These players need to be trusted more to make plays in physical situations and be used in the right matchups against the top receivers.

There were plenty of soft coverages that didn't work at all against the Cowboys. The Texans have personnel to play press coverage or at least guard the first downs. Not only that, but the matchups can also be better. Adjustments need to be made during the game based on what the situation is. CeeDee Lamb was tearing up the defense, and the Cowboys were just targeting him over and over.

Texans Defense Needs Strong Personnel Matchups

Putting someone like Stingley Jr. on him or, however, the opponent's best receiver is gives the Texans a better chance of winning. The defense looked completely different in the second half of Week 4.

On the game-winning play from Dak Prescott to Lamb, Pitre was on Lamb in single coverage in the slot while Stingley went for Ryan Flournoy underneath. The Texans didn't double-team Lamb either with a linebacker underneath or safety in the end zone. It was an easy pitch and catch.

Earlier in the fourth quarter on second and 18 for Dallas, the Texans had two men on tight end Jake Ferguson and just let Lamb be wide open underneath. He ended up getting the first down all by himself.

On the first drive of the second half, Lamb was left incredibly open with no one within 15 yards of him for a massive completion. Stingley was left on the other side of the field. The receivers in general were getting a large amount of cushion to operate, even going back to the first half.

An issue so far this year has also been Lassiter's play. He's the No. 2 corner, but has consistently given up big plays. He had dropped an interception against Josh Allen that would've ended the game in Week 1.

There's plenty of evidence looking back that the Texans defense is capable of being put in better positions to be successful. Coach DeMeco Ryans has now taken over play-calling duties starting this week. Defensive coordinator Matt Burke had been previously calling plays since last season, but it was clear some sort of change was needed.