Houston has the fifth-ranked scoring defense (20.1 PPG) entering their Week 16 game against the Eagles.

Analysis: The Jets managed only 318 total yards and 22 points despite possessing the ball for over 35 minutes Week 15 against the Texans, as QB Sam Darnold was sacked six times. Houston has played well defensively since the start of the season, having allowed more than 27 points in only one game, and no more than 24 since Week 4 against the Colts. The Texans run defense has been particularly dominant, as they yield a league-best 3.6 yards per carry. Starting QB Carson Wentz (back) has already been ruled…read more

The Texans enter Week 15 with the league's fifth-ranked scoring defense (19.9 PPG).

Analysis: Houston took a step back this past week losing to the Colts in a 24-21 nail-biter. It was the most points the Texans have surrendered since Week 4's 37-34 overtime win over Indianapolis. Despite the loss, Houston's spirits entering Saturday's tilt with the Jets shouldn't fall too low. New York enters this week with the 30th-ranked total defense averaging just 296.9 YPG. Sam Darnold is back under center, but there hasn't been too much of a gap between him and Josh McCown under center. The Jets…read more

Houston boasts the league's third-ranked scoring defense (19.6 PPG) entering Week 14.

Analysis: The Texans meteoric rise this season has been well-documented by now. A win over the Colts on Sunday will all but wrap up the division and a first-round bye remains in play for Bill O'Brien's unit. Indianapolis was shut out in last week's 6-0 loss to Jacksonville, but prior to the poor performance Andrew Luck had the Colts' offense playing its best in over two years. It's going to be tough to keep a lid on Luck for two consecutive weeks, but if nothing else, the Texans have proven capable of…read more

The Texans enter Week 13 with the league's 5th-ranked scoring defense (20.2 PPG).

Analysis: Houston's masterful turnaround has sprung whispers of a potential dark horse super bowl run. The offense is deservedly credited, but the defense has been magnificent during the eight-game win streak. The Texans have kept opponents to 23 or less points in each if their last seven contests and 17 or less in five of those seven games. Bill O'Brien's bunch has effectively kept opponents out of the end zone thanks to the rejuvenation of J.J. Watt and his presence up front. Sunday's tilt with…read more

The Texans have the seventh-ranked total defense (330.5 YPG) entering their Week 12 game against the Titans.

Analysis: Houston has a similarly ranked scoring defense -- 20.5 PPG ranks seventh -- and are allowing an even better 16.2 points over their last six games. The Texans managed to hold the Redskins under 300 yards of offense last week and safety Justin Reid made perhaps the play of the game with a 101-yard interception return for a touchdown to flip the script on a red-zone opportunity. The Titans have been a bottom-five offense for the year with 17.8 PPG and 295.4 YPG, but have shown competency at times…read more

The Texans enter their Week 11 matchup with Washington as the league's seventh-best scoring defense (20.4 PPG).

Analysis: Winners of six straight, Houston has flown somewhat under the radar since an 0-3 start. While the Redskins have won three of their last four, they haven't looked great from an offensive standpoint. In each of its of last four contests, Washington has failed to eclipse 20 points and quarterback Alex Smith has not broken the 300-yard mark since a Week 2 loss to the Falcons. With a healthy J.J. Watt and Jadeveon Clowney, look for Houston to bring consistent pressure during Sunday's bout. A few…read more

The Texans enter their Week 9 game in Denver as the league's ninth-ranked total defense (334.9 YPG).

Analysis: Houston's defense has turned the corner of late to helping spark the Texans' five-game win streak. During that stretch, the Texans have surrendered more than 16 points just twice. A healthy J.J. Watt and safety Tyrann Mathieu have added additional elements to Bill O'Brien's dynamic defense. Houston has been clicking on all cylinders over the past month and a half and there's little to suggest Sunday's game against Denver will knock the Texans off course. Without Demaryius Thomas, Denver has one…read more

Texans defensive end J.J. Watt is nursing a knee injury ahead of Thursday's game against the Dolphins.

Analysis: At this juncture, it would be a bit of a surprise if Watt didn't suit up, but the injury remains something to keep an eye during the short week. Houston has been an impressive defensive unit over the last three weeks helping to slide them up to the No. 8 scoring defense (20.6 PPG) through eight weeks. During their four-game win streak, the Texans have allowed just 17.5 PPG and kept opponents below 18 points in three of the four contests. Week 8 figures to present a somewhat favorable matchup…read more

Houston defensive end J.J. Watt remains tied for first in the NFL with seven sacks entering the team's Week 7 game against Jacksonville.

Analysis: The Texans forced three turnovers, scored a defensive touchdown and held the Bills to 13 points in Week 6 and have now allowed only 29 points over the past two weeks. Meanwhile, the Jaguars have scored only 21 points in that span while turning the ball over seven times. With Leonard Fournette (knee) trending toward another absence, the Jaguars may be forced to rely more on the arm of QB Blake Bortles in Week 7. Houston had a bit of a slow start to the season but has found their stride over the…read more

Texans defensive end J.J. Watt is tied atop the NFL's leaderboard in sacks (6.0 sacks) through five weeks. He and Houston will draw a matchup against the Bills in Week 6.

Analysis: Watt has accounted for nearly half of Houston's 13 sacks, but others will need to step up if the Texans D/ST is to become a viable fantasy option for the remainder of the season. Perhaps the Texans are beginning to right the ship after allowing a season-low 16 points during the Week 5 win over the Cowboys. The Texans receive the luxury of facing the league's 32nd-ranked scoring offense when they host Buffalo on Sunday. Based on the strides Houston has made over the last week and in light of the…read more

Houston surrendered 34 points to the Colts in its Week 4 overtime win. The Texans will draw a matchup with the Cowboys in Week 5.

Analysis: The Texans have about a good of a defensive nucleus as you could want with J.J. Watt and Jadeveon Clowney, yet Bill O'Brien's defense hasn't figured out to put it together through the first four weeks. Houston ranks in the bottom 20 in the NFL in both total defense (382.3 yards per game) and scoring defense (27.0 points per game). Maybe the added juice of Sunday's primetime showdown coupled with momentum from last week's win over the Colts will help Houston sort through the early struggles. But…read more

Texans cornerback Aaron Colvin (chest) is considered questionable ahead of Sunday's game against the Colts.

Analysis: Colvin has made his intentions of playing in Sunday's contest abundantly clear, reiterating the notion that he is capable of playing through the chest pain. Ultimately, however, the decision pertaining to his availability will be made under the expertise of the medical staff. Houston's 0-3 start to the season is not solely the factor of one issue area, although allowing 20-plus points in all three contests has not helped its winning cause. There are a lot of correctives to be had for Bill…read more

Texans linebacker Jadeveon Clowney (back/elbow) is listed as questionable ahead of Sunday's game against the Giants.

Analysis: The Texans sure hope that Clowney will be able to suit for the home opener following a disappointing 0-2 start for Bill O'Brien's squad. Fortunately for Houston, Sunday's draw welcomes in a New York offense that has been abysmally atrocious through its first two contests. The Giants have season-threatening holes along the offensive line, a problem which likely has J.J. Watt and Co. salivating throughout practice this week. It's an odd world in which betting against the talents of Odell Beckham…read more

The Texans allowed 389 yards during Sunday's 27-20 loss to the Patriots.

Analysis: A Week 1 draw against New England is somewhat of an unfair starting point for defensive evaluation. A butcher under center, it seemingly doesn't matter who Tom Brady goes up against anymore. By no means were the Texans disappointing in Week 1, but Houston will surely perform better in Week 2 action with the Titans on the horizon. With Jadeveon Clowney and J.J. Watt getting their feet back underneath them, the Texans hold tremendous upside as the season progresses. Perhaps that upside begins…read more

The remains of the Texans starting defense is fully healthy heading into their Week 17 matchup against the Colts.

Analysis: The Texans have allowed a combined 79 points to the Jaguars and Steelers over the past two weeks, and continue to rank dead last in the NFL in scoring defense (27.6 points allowed per game). Houston also ranks tied for 25th in the league with 16 takeaways and have lost five straight games. The Colts offense offers a much better matchup in Week 17, but QB Jacoby Brissett limits turnovers fairly well although they often struggle to move the ball down the field (rank 31st with 286.9 yards per…read more

The Texans allow 27.1 points per game in 2017, which ranks last in the NFL.

Analysis: The Texans defensive front has been completed decimated by injury this season and have continued to drop in the defensive ranks until now, when they sit as the worst scoring defense in the league. The Steelers may be without WR Antonio Brown (calf) for this Week 16 matchup, but Le'Veon Bell remains one of the most dynamic and versatile running backs in the NFL, and is likely so see even more touches than usual Monday. The Texans are not a viable fantasy option at this point, especially when…read more

Outside linebacker Jadeveon Clowney is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Jaguars as he deals with a knee injury and an illness.

Analysis: As Clowney goes, the Texans defense goes (at least what's left of it), but head coach Bill O'Brien indicated this week he was expected to play despite the fact he didn't practice. Houston allows 25.8 points per game (tied-29th in the NFL) and is in the bottom half of the league in both sacks and takeaways. The Jaguars are hardly an offensive juggernaut, especially with rookie RB Leonard Fournette (quadriceps) expected to be unavailable, but QB Blake Bortles has been much improved at limiting…read more

Texans cornerback Johnathan Joseph is dealing with a shoulder injury as Sunday's game against San Francisco inches closer.

Analysis: Reports suggest there's a good chance Joseph can suit up this week which would give Houston a huge boost in the back end as they prep for a rather weaker San Francisco offense. Unlike in years past, Houston's scoring defense has been lackluster this year and currently ranks 28th in the NFL (25.8 PPG). Fortunately for Bill O'Brien's squad, the 49ers rank 29th in scoring offense averaging just 16.8 PPG. Something has to give come Sunday. Given Houston's home-field advantage, the Texans figure to…read more

The Texans rank 29th in the NFL in scoring defense (25.9 PPG).

Analysis: This stat obviously jumps out to football junkies on paper. But, when looking at the amount of yards conceded per game (340.2 YPG), it's a little surprising to see Houston listed among the cellar dwellers in scoring defense. Perhaps it's the offensive struggles with Tom Savage that have put the defense in a tough position. Maybe teams have been able to keen in on Jadeveon Clowney with J.J. Watt (leg) out for the season. Whatever the case may be, the downward trend remains a major roadblock when…read more

Defensive end Jadeveon Clowney (ankle) will not carry an injury designation in Monday night's game against the Ravens.

Analysis: Clowney was limited in practice early in the week, but his full participation Saturday quells any doubt of his availability. Houston allows an average of 26.2 points per game this season -- second-worst in the NFL -- and have struggled mightily against good offenses, but this week they get to face a Ravens offense which averages 279.8 yards per contest. The Texans are middle of the pack in sacks and takeaways this season, but they finally have a healthy defensive unit, although that's only if…read more

Defensive end Joel Heath continues to battle a knee injury and is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Cardinals.

Analysis: Heath has missed the last three games but could provide a boost to a defensive front decimated by injuries. The Texans were picked apart by Jared Goff and the Rams in Week 10, but have a much more appealing matchup against Blaine Gabbert and the Cardinals on Sunday. DE Jadeveon Clowney will hopefully feast against an Arizona offensive line that has given up 26 sacks this season, and now has a new quarterback under center. At full strength this game would have Houston in line to lay down a…read more

Cornerback Johnathan Joseph (knee) is clear from the Texans' injury report for Sunday's game against the Rams.

Analysis: Defensive end Joel Heath (knee) remains out for the Texans which is a bit concerning considering how well the Rams offensive line is playing this season. The Texans front seven in already thin with J.J. Watt (lower leg) and Whitney Mercilus (pectoral) on injured reserve, leaving Jadeveon Clowney to garner most of the attention. Houston is middle of the road in most defensive categories this season, but in Week 10 they are going up against second-year QB Jared Goff and the Rams, who feature the…read more