The Houston Texans were a team who had great infrastructure during their 2012 campaign, going 12-4 with 9 Pro-Bowlers. They were again the favorites to win the AFC South in 2013 where they started the season off with a bang winning 2 straight games against the Chargers and Titans. This was followed by a drastic collapse within the entire organization that lost 14 straight games! As a result, there are now many new faces, including Top Pick and Linebacker, Jadeveon Clowney.
The Houston Texans 2013 Defense was a league worst, allowing an average of 4.6 Fantasy Points Per Game in Standard Scoring Leagues. This is of the opposite spectrum of the Kansas City Chiefs’ League Leading 14.4 Fantasy Points Per Game. Take a look at the drastic change in Houston’s Defense from the 2012 season to the 2013 season:
| 2012 | |||
| Total Points | Sacks | INT | FR |
| 303 (8th in NFL) | 43 (5th in NFL) | 15 (14th in NFL) | 14 (6th in NFL) |
| 2013 | |||
| Total Points | Sacks | INT | FR |
| 412 (25th Least) | 31 (28th in NFL) | 6 (32nd in NFL) | 4 (31st in NFL) |
Defensively in 2014, the Houston Texans are shaping up to the 2012 version and aim to become a Top 5 Defensive Line in the NFL. There was concern with 1st Round Pick, Jadeveon Clowney, and his recent hernia injury, but he avoided the active/PUP list and is in uniform at camp. Jared Crick and J.J. Watt look to dominate the ends for the Texans Defense with Jadeveon Clowney claiming the “monster” role on the outside. Getting Veteran Leader and Inside Linebacker Brian Cushing back from a broken fibula and torn LCL is huge for this Texans Defense as his health is the last piece to this Houston puzzle in becoming a Top D-Line.
Jonathan Joseph had decent success last season as he ranked 5th in Cornerbacks in Football Outsiders for Adjusted Success Rate at 63%. Adjusted Success Rate is “the percentage of passes that don’t manage to get at least 45 percent of needed yards on first down, 60 percent of needed yards on second down, or 100 percent of needed yards on third down.” This success rate was on 79 Targets that were thrown his way while guarding a receiver. With this, he allowed the 14th best 2.7 Yards After Catch with an average passing distance of 13.3 yards. These numbers are by no means Elite, but with the “Armageddon Front Seven” putting tons of pressure on QB’s this season, I do expect a better year out of CB Jonathan Joseph.
New Defensive Coordinator Romeo Crennel brings a 3-4 Defensive Scheme to Houston which will be utilized on 1st and 2nd downs only. Defensive End and Physical Freak J.J. Watt will continue to play the strong side and Clowney will man up behind Watt or on the Weak side, either one will create a one-on-one matchup for the talented rookie. As far as 3rd down goes, Crennel will look to move a lot of pieces around and has the players to do so. Other than The Playmakers, there are still a lot of question marks with this Defense.
Here’s the projected starting Defense:
(click to enlarge)
– Nose Tackle: Jerrell Powe will likely start ahead former Notre Dame Louis Nix III who spent the entire Rookie Season on the I.R.
– Inside Linebacker: Brooks Reed will move beside Cushing, who will give Houston a lot of Pass Rush options. Reed has the Teddy Bruschi type feel in Ex-Patriot and current Texans Defensive Coordinator, Romeo Crennel.
– Outside Linebacker: Opposite of Clowney will be Whitney Mercilus who had a horrid 2013 season. Instead of rushing Mercilus in ’14 (Clowney’s role) Mercilus will be dropping into coverage formations.
– Cornerback: Kareem Jackson will line up opposite of Joseph and will remain a slot corner, a position they were also horrid at in 2013. Jackson is in a contract year, which should only help his production.
– Strong Safety: The Texans will go with the inconsistent D.J. Swearinger at SS who often showed star potential in 2013.
– Free Safety: It’s up in the air who will take this spot, but I’m taking a gamble on Chris Clemons (just signed 2 year/$2.7 million contract) who’s able to cover the deep middle at 6’1.
The “Armageddon Front Seven” will be a force in the 2014 season. The back end of this defense is that biggest question mark as it looks like a Shooting Range for any Elite QB. Regardless, this defense will see a major jump in Fantasy Production and will again be a Fantasy Football worthy team to own, especially taking on: Raiders, Giants, Browns, Titans (twice) and Jaguars (twice) in their 9th Easiest Ranked Strength of Schedule for Fantasy Defenses.