HOUSTON — When DeMeco Ryans took over as head coach of the Houston Texans ahead of the previous season, he introduced his renowned swarm defense. This strategic approach has now become an integral part of the team’s identity as they gear up for their second consecutive appearance in the divisional playoffs on Saturday against the Kansas City Chiefs.
“You really can’t go out there if you’re not about it,” Ryans noted, emphasizing the importance of commitment to his aggressive philosophy. While the entire defense has wholeheartedly adopted this style, one player stands out for embodying it fully: defensive end Will Anderson Jr.
Defensive back Derek Stingley commented, “Will every time” when speaking of Anderson, who was recognized as last year’s AP Defensive Rookie of the Year. This season, Anderson has elevated his performance, notching 1½ sacks in the previous game, adding to his regular-season tally of 11.
Anderson shared his perspective on what swarm defense signifies: “Do whatever it takes to get the ball, attacking the ball. We have this saying in our D-line room; ‘who gonna pop it off?’ Whoever pops it off first, that’s swarming. Like who’s gonna make the big play? There’s a lot of guys on defense that pop it off, and they swarm.”
In an impressive display in last week’s victory over the Chargers, the Texans intercepted quarterback Justin Herbert a career-high four times, including one that was returned for a touchdown. This feat was significant, considering Herbert had only thrown three interceptions throughout the season. Houston’s four takeaways in the opening playoff round tie with Philadelphia for the highest mark in the league.
Houston’s turnover creation prowess comes on the heels of a regular season where they ranked fifth in the league by forcing 29 turnovers. Stingley, who recorded two interceptions in the playoffs a day after being named an AP All-Pro, shared insight into the defensive mentality of the team. “If I were to tell you this is the last time you’re gonna do something, how are you gonna do it?” Stingley explained. “Just do that every single play.”
Ryans attributes his team’s talent and deliberate practice approach to their impressive turnover capabilities. “Our main focus every week is on attacking the football,” he said. “When you take the football away, it significantly increases your odds of winning the game.”
While all the turnovers against the Chargers came via interceptions, Stingley emphasized that those plays wouldn’t have materialized without the pressure exerted by the defensive line on Herbert. The Texans managed to sack him four times and recorded nine hits, contributing to their 32-12 triumph.
“The defense starts with them up front,” Stingley noted. “They’re doing their job, which makes it easier for us on the back end.” Anderson added that with each turnover, the defense became more energized, encouraged to push each other to be the next to make a game-changing play. “That’s just that swarm mentality, we’re feeding off each other,” Anderson said. “No one can do this alone, so who is gonna be next? That creates contagious energy.”
The Texans accomplished a remarkable feat, becoming the fifth team since 1963 to achieve at least four sacks, four interceptions, and an interception return for a touchdown during a playoff game last week. Notably, the last three teams to accomplish this went on to secure the Super Bowl title, including the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2002, Baltimore Ravens in 2000, and San Francisco 49ers in 1989.
The current Texans squad aspires to continue this legacy, with the immediate goal of securing a victory on Saturday to advance to the AFC championship game for the first time. This would mark a significant departure from their history, as they have faced elimination in their previous five divisional matchups. “That’s what you come here for,” Anderson emphasized. “That’s what they’ve been rebuilding for, for moments like this. We have all the right pieces; we just need to go out there and make it happen.”
