Jaguars vs. Texans: Will Houston's Defense Be a Problem For Jacksonville?

Opportunity awaits the Jacksonville Jaguars Sunday as the team visits the 6-4 Houston Texans in a battle to control the AFC South. That isn’t the only reason this weekend’s dance is important. It’s a chance for revenge, for redemption.

In the third week of the season the Jaguars were embarrassed in front of their home crowd, falling 37-17 to the Texans. Quite frankly, it wasn’t that close either. The Jaguars’ offense was shut out in the first half and later Doug Pederson swapped in the backups after the game had gotten out of hand.

Oddly enough, both the Jaguars and Texans used that game as a building block for the future. The Jaguars did a bit of soul-searching, using the loss as motivation to go on five-game win streak. On the other end of the spectrum, the Texans used the victory as a springboard to become one of the league’s most dangerous offenses.

The Texans’ offense and young, star C.J. Stroud have been as impressive as it gets for a team featuring a rookie head coach and quarterback. Their defense, however, has given the offense opportunities to become as successful as they have.

The Texans’ defense, led by head coach DeMeco Ryans, has rapidly improved during his short reign. Last season the Texans were 3rd-worst in the league; this season, the squad sits right around league average.

While as a whole the unit is middle of the pack, the teams’ run-defense has been nothing short of elite. The group is allowing just 3.7 yards per attempt. Unfortunately, the defense has surrendered 12 rushing touchdowns on the year but just 10 by way of passing.

Ryan’s defensive scheme definitely has shades of the Niners’ dominant defense, his former home before accepting the job in Houston. When asked about the similarities, Pederson said the style is very reminiscent of San Francisco with its own twist.

“Now, we see what Houston is doing, they’re investing resources in the defensive line, where San Francisco did the same things. That’s DeMeco [Texans Head Coach DeMeco Ryans], that’s the experience he had in San Francisco,” said Pederson.

He went on to add, “I think the structure is there, but you see Matt Burke who I had in Philly as a DC [Defensive Coordinator], he’s a Jim Schwartz guy, so he’s a wide-nine guy, which we’re going to see in a couple of weeks. They’re kind of combined the two a little bit with the front and the backend, they’re playing it extremely well.”

The defense is comprised of two of the best young pass-rushers in the NFL, rookie Will Anderson Jr. and Jonathan Greenard. The tandem has racked up 71 pressures and 11 sacks. Anderson Jr. has particularly impressed in his rookie season. He currently leads all rookies in pressures.

Pederson noted how impressed he was with the young rookie, “Quite a bit. I think he’s really settled into that role, he’s fast and he’s got good strength and leverage, power, pad level, all that stuff. He’s turning into a really good edge rusher.”

Greenard, however, is no slouch either as the former Florida Gator leads the team in sacks with eight. Anderson Jr. may lead the way with pressures, however, it’s been Greenard who has licked his plate clean this season.

Pederson mentioned how the two edge rushers have complemented each other, turning pressures into sacks.

“Yeah, I think what’s happened is the addition of 51 [Texans DE Will Anderson Jr.]. Those two, Bosa and Khalil Mack, right? When it was Chris Jones and when they had 55 a year ago off of Kansas City, (DE Frank Clark) Clark. There’s those tandems of guys and so that’s why one benefits from the other. You put so much emphasis over here, he’ll get you on this side. He’s playing extremely well, too. He’s playing fast, he’s playing aggressive, and doing some really good things. I think it’s the addition of 51, but in tandem, they’re playing well,” said Pederson.

There’s certainly more to this defense than meets the eye. The Texans recently got the extremely talented Derek Stingley Jr. back from injury, a player the Jaguars should know all too well. He was able to intercept Trevor Lawrence in his sole matchup against the Jaguars’ offense in 2022. Sadly, Stingley has missed the two most recent contests due to injury.

The Texans’ defense obviously isn’t as good as the 49ers yet, however, it no doubt gave the Jags fits in round one. Jacksonville fared even worse against the actual 49ers defense just two weeks ago. As much improved as they are, Ryan’s influence will only continue to help the unit grow.

Does that style of defense continue to puzzle the Jaguars or can offensive coordinator Press Taylor and company develop a game plan to punch holes in the dominant DeMeco Ryans’ defensive scheme? Will the recent offensive surge against the Titans prove to be a catalyst for the rest of the season? Only time will tell.