The Houston Texans are a season removed from having the first overall pick in the draft, and while nobody can claim they have made a dramatic turnaround, they are well-positioned in the playoff race going into Week 12. They have certainly benefited from a weak AFC South and, more specifically, a weak Indianapolis Colts team.
Saints vs. Texans 2015 live stream: Game time, TV schedule and how to watch online
Brian Hoyer will be back in action when the Texans take on the Saints.
But going into Sunday's game against the New Orleans Saints, the Texans are 5-5 on the year, tied for first place in the division. The Colts are hanging on gamely, but the Texans have a full head of steam with wins in their last three games. J.J. Watt is leading a defense that struggled early in the season but that has come alive in recent weeks.
Over the past 14 quarters of play, the Texans have allowed just two touchdowns. They have given up 32 total points over that time, while scoring 80 points themselves. They have forced eight turnovers on defense in the same amount of time, and have won their last three games in dominant fashion.
The most recent was a 24-17 win over the New York Jets, and before that they ended the Cincinnati Bengals' undefeated season with a 10-6 victory. That was the most impressive game of the season for the Texans, who stood toe-to-toe with Andy Dalton and the Bengals' high-powered offense.
But the defense will get another big test in Drew Brees and the Saints. New Orleans is not the same team they have been in past seasons, but Brees is always dangerous and has eclipsed 300 yards passing six times already this season. The Saints rank second in the league in total offense, and second in the league in passing offense. Where they struggle is on the ground, as they rank 17th in the league in rushing yardage.
On defense, the Texans rank ninth in the league overall. That ranking is bolstered by the league’s fifth overall pass defense. They will have their hands full with Brees and the Saints’ offense, but that offense will also have its hands full with the Texans’ defense.
The resurgence by Houston's defense has a lot to do with changes the Texans have made. Benardrick McKinney replaced Akeem Dent at the linebacker position alongside Brian Cushing. Rahim Moore, a high-priced free agent acquisition, was also benched in favor of Andre Hall. Charles James is now playing in the slot, and Vince Wilfork is getting more time to rest and has been more effective as a result.
At one point earlier in the season, everyone was talking about Bill O'Brien only having a job because Joe Philbin of the Miami Dolphins took all the attention with how poor his team was doing. O'Brien is a long way from getting a big extension or anything like that, but the Texans control their own destiny at this stage of the season. If they keep winning, and the Colts keep struggling, they could walk away with an NFC South title.
First up, they need to get through the Saints.
How to watch
When: 1 p.m. ET
Where: NRG Stadium, Houston, Texas
TV: FOX
Commentators: Joe Davis, David Diehl, Kristina Pink
Online: NFL Game Pass
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