Upgraded their secondary
The Bills finished as the NFL’s best secondary last season. The Texans were far from that. They finished last season allowing 260.4 yards per game in the game, fifth-worst in the league.
The Texans have at least attempted to fix that problem since last time they met the Bills. According to Texans Wire, The Texans boast four secondary members allowing below the league-average in passer rating (90.9). All four of those players were not on the roster in 2018.
Safety Tashaun Gipson has allowed a 47.4 passer rating in coverage in 2019. Cornerback Bradley Roby follows with a 79.4. Corner Keion Crossen checks in at 81.9. Rounding out the group is safety Jahleel Addae with a 90.8. Cornerback Gareon Conley nearly made the group; he allows a 92.4 in coverage.
Some impressive numbers. But overall, the Texans finished the most recent season actually worse in overall pass defense, allowing 267.2 yards per game, fourth-worst in the NFL. The Texans’ pass-rushing unit could be part of the problem here, as they’ve only notched 31 sacks, a tie for the fourth-fewest in the NFL.
Speaking of their secondary, Jonathan Joseph injured his hamstring in Week 17, but told reporters he’ll play vs. the Bills.
Fourth INT of the day is a BIG one!@Do_OrAddae37 | #HOUvsTB pic.twitter.com/M8H3dNaZmY
— Houston Texans (@HoustonTexans) December 21, 2019