The Houston Texans' defense, which dominated the NFL last season, has regressed significantly in 2026. Despite returning key players and adding safety Reed Blankenship, the unit now ranks 19th in points allowed (24.3) and has surrendered 30+ points in three of seven games. Quarterback C.
J. Stroud has excelled, averaging over 1,800 passing yards and a 100.7 passer rating, making the defensive decline even more puzzling. Coach DeMeco Ryans attributes the struggles to poor execution, citing 70 missed tackles—the fifth-most in the league.
The pass defense, featuring Pro Bowlers Derek Stingley Jr. and Kamari Lassiter, has been the weakest link, allowing 244 passing yards per game (27th in the NFL) and just three interceptions. Opposing offenses have exploited Houston’s zone-heavy scheme, particularly on early downs, targeting the seams for 995 yards and a high passer rating. Defensive end Will Anderson Jr., who leads the league with 7.5 sacks, noted that teams now understand Houston’s coverage patterns.
General Manager Nick Caserio insists the issue isn’t scheme but player execution, questioning whether missed reroutes at the line of scrimmage are schematic or performance-based. Ryans took over play-calling from Matt Burke after an 0-4 start but has yet to see major improvement.
Source: ESPN NFL · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing