The Houston Texans’ defense put forth a dominant effort against the Buffalo Bills, specifically with their pass rush against reigning MVP Josh Allen. Afterward, Texans linebacker and team captain Azeez Al-Shaair had a message for the rest of the league.
Almost immediately, Al-Shaair received pushback.
However, it was difficult to argue with the results on the night as the Texans secured a 23-19 victory. They did enter the evening with the No. 1 scoring and overall defense in the league.
Texans LB Azeez Al-Shaair Sends Message After Dominant Showing
GettyJosh Allen #17 of the Buffalo Bills is sacked as Azeez Al-Shaair #0 of the Houston Texans looks on.
“We’re the best defense in the league, top to bottom,” Al-Shaair told ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler following the Texans’ win over the Bills. “We’ve been doing it all year.”
Allen completed over 70% of his passes, and he threw for more than 250 yards against the Texans, who also sacked him 8 times and harassed him countless others. Allen did not throw any touchdowns and was intercepted twice by Calen Bullock, including one to seal the game.
The Texans’ efforts drew attention as the situation unfolded.
“The Texans have now sacked Josh Allen 8 times,” ESPN’s Field Yates posted on X on November 20. “That’s the most sacks he’s ever taken in a game in his career.”
This continues a turnaround for the Texans, who have battled back to 6-5 after starting the season 0-3, and they have won their last three games in a row while backup QB Davis Mills filled in for injured starter C.J. Stroud.
Even more encouraging for Al-Shaair and the Texans’ defense, Stroud will return in Week 13.
The Texans are on the road, facing the AFC South-leading Indianapolis Colts in a pivotal divisional showdown, and they will need their defense to continue its strong play.
Texans React to Big Night
GettyWill Anderson Jr. #51 of the Houston Texans celebrates tackling Josh Allen #17 of the Buffalo Bills.
Al-Shaair was hardly the only Texans defender who was fired up after the performance, which at one point saw Allen slam his helmet in frustration and question what the Bills were trying to accomplish.
Texans defensive end Will Anderson called Allen a “gazelle” before the game, referring to the QB’s dual-threat capabilities.
After the game, Anderson said they had a mindset to “keep hunting” and that “if you want a piece of the gazelle, you have to hunt the gazelle.” To step things up, Danielle Hunter was one of several Texans who indulged in buffalo wings, courtesy of the Texans’ social media team.
Texans running back Joe Mixon, who is on the Non-Football Injury (NFI) list, also weighed in.
Mixon shared multiple posts praising the Texans’ defense, including shouting out Anderson, Hunter, and Bullock.
“BALL GAME!!!!” Mixon posted on X on November 20 after Bullock closed out the contest with his second INT, to go with a forced fumble, with the injured tailback adding, “IF YOU AINT WITH HOUSTON!!!”
Mixon was expected to remain on the NFI list for the rest of the season, but says that is untrue.
“F**K IT HAWK 4 PRESIDENT!!!!!!!! [Eagle emojis],” cornerback Kamari Lassiter said in a post on X after the win, referring to Bullock, who touted the defense on “SportsCenter” after the game.
Texans Having Historic Season
GettyAzeez Al-Shaair #0 of the Houston Texans reacts against the Buffalo Bills.
Al-Shaair’s comments drew attention, including from Denver Broncos faithful, pointing to the Texans’ 18-15 loss in Week 9. That was the game in which Stroud got injured before halftime.
Al-Shaair may not be far off, if at all, in his assessment of the Texans’ defense. The Houston Chronicle’s Jonathan M. Alexander posted on X, “We could be easily looking at the best defense in Texans franchise history.”
It was a shared opinion with facts behind it.
ESPN’s DJ Bien-Aime posted that the Texans could have “one of the best defenses in recent memory.” He also provided the numbers to back his claims.
“This defense is allowing fewer yards(270) per game than the 2013 legion of boom (273),” Bien-Aime posted on X after the game. “Texans defense is close in points allowed per game (16) LOB 14.6.”
Just like in this game against the Bills, the Texans have needed their defense to hold serve. The offense has needed time to find its way.
“The #Texans had 36 yards of offense in the second half and WON,” SporsTalk 790’s Cole Thompson posted on X after the game, joining in the discourse. “And you have to ask yourself who has the league’s best defense?”
It remains a work in progress, but it comes with significant leeway, thanks to their defense.
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