How the Houston Texans bought again within the NFL Playoffs

Houston, we’ve a playoff staff.

One way or the other, a way, the Houston Texans are within the playoffs. Regardless of an uneven offensive efficiency all season, the Texans are headed again to the postseason after stymying the Miami Dolphins in a 20-12 victory. What’s humorous about that efficiency by the Texans is that Houston’s offense completed with the identical EPA per play because the Dolphins, and nonetheless gained the sport!

The Texans did this on the backs of a really phenomenal defensive efficiency. In what was kind of a reminder that head coach Demeco Ryans can nonetheless coach the hell out of protection, the Texans held Miami to 52 dashing yards, picked off QB Tua Tagovailoa thrice and sacked the Dolphins’ sign caller thrice as nicely. Let’s check out how they did it, and the way it can impression their season going into playoff time.

The Texans are a four-down protection in the identical mould because the Jets and 49ers, reliant on prompt penetration from the line of defense and quick flowing by the second degree. This could possibly be an issue towards a Dolphins’ offense that wishes to make use of misdirection to counteract this, however the Texans’ line of defense performed out of their minds, and thus allowed the second degree to circulate quick to the ball. On this zone toss run, DE Denico Autry is ready to set a tough edge to maintain this run in between the tackles. From there, you get a quick fill from the protection, who suits to the within of Autry and is ready to make the cease as nicely. LB Christian Harris additionally detonates on FB Alec Ingold to blow this play up and preserve it to a brief achieve.

I used to be additionally very impressed with the Texans’ corners in run help. The Texans performed a LOT of Cowl 2 on Sunday—probably the most Cowl 2 they’ve performed in a single sport this season. Whereas Cowl 2 is nice for bottling up most trendy passing video games, it asks the cornerbacks to be concerned within the run sport as a result of they’re within the flat. You pay corners some huge cash to not deal with, however the very best ones are in a position to be a significant factor within the run sport. Jalen Ramsey was the very best tackling CB within the league, and getting corners to play the run unlocks so many issues for a protection. The Texans are in Cowl 2, and the Dolphins are working Crunch (entice/wham). DE Will Anderson Jr. is to the aspect of the wham block, however as a result of he is aware of his assistance is coming from CB Derek Stingley Jr., who’s enjoying the flat. Anderson slants inside the proper deal with, forcing this run to bounce to Stingley, who makes the play.

Within the passing sport, it’s a narrative of Cowl 2 and Inverted Cowl 2. Groups have performed these two-high shells towards the Dolphins quite a bit since McDaniel’s offense begun getting schemed towards higher, and the Texans leveraged their protection to close the water off downfield, whereas forcing Tagovailoa into errors. Their first rep of this got here on the primary drive, the place Tagovailoa was compelled to throw a checkdown. The Texans line CB Kamari Lassiter (who performed an ideal sport) within the slot and have the linebackers mugged till they drop out. On the snap, they spin to inverted Cowl 2, with security Calen Bullock working to hold something over the center of the sphere. This limits the stress on linebackers in the course of the sphere, whereas altering the image on the again finish. Bullock carries WR Jaylen Waddle over the center of the sphere and every little thing is blanketed, forcing Tua to examine it down.

Then, when the Dolphins tried to get aggressive and throw it downfield, the Texans broke them on two consecutive drives, each by Bullock in Inverted Cowl 2. Watch how the linebackers are in a position to shut on every little thing shallow as a result of Bullock is lurking behind them. Tua goes to throw this dig considering it’ll be open, however Bullock is ready to leap it and virtually will get a choose.

The following drive, he will get an interception on the very same idea, inverted Cowl 2. Once more, the Texans are in a position to insulate and defend the center of the sphere with Bullock because the Tampa participant as a substitute of a slower linebacker, and watch as Bullock doesn’t transfer off his landmark, ready for this over path to get thrown and jumps it, virtually taking this to the home. You’ll be able to see all their levers getting pulled, and Bullock is the one which helps flip this right into a turnover.

The Texans’ protection enjoying at this degree going into the playoffs is a big plus for this staff. As poor because the offense has performed, the protection having the ability to get this degree of play is unbelievable. Their secondary put collectively a extremely good efficiency (Derek Stingley Jr All-Professional, anybody?) and it’s an indication that this younger group is enjoying collectively nicely. They answered a variety of their issues defending the center of the sphere towards the Dolphins, and I’m excited to see how they develop.