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The Houston Texans defense had the second-highest third down conversion rate in the NFL at 48.5%. Only Washington had a higher conversion rate at 48.9%.
In fact, the Texans were the only playoff team in the top-10 of this ignominious statistic. The next closest playoff team was Minnesota at 39.7%, placing 14th overall.
Anthony Weaver enters his first season as the Texans’ defensive coordinator, and this difficulty getting off the field is one of his top priorities in 2020.
“I think on third down, we obviously have players,” Weaver told the Houston media on a video conference on Wednesday. “We have some really good players that can affect the quarterback. We have coverage guys. We have all the pieces to be more successful on third down.”
Houston has proven pass rushers in defensive end J.J. Watt and outside linebacker Whitney Mercilus. They may need a little more boost from their complementary edge defenders in defensive end Charles Omenihu, who enters his second season, and rookie outside linebacker Jonathan Greenard. An interior pass rush from defensive tackles Timmy Jernigan and Brandon Dunn could also help the Texans pressure opposing quarterbacks.
As far as coverage, the Texans have talent in the secondary with cornerbacks Bradley Roby, Gareon Conley, and Lonnie Johnson alongside safeties Justin Reid, Eric Murray, and Jaylen Watkins.
Weaver intends to draw on his Rex Ryan influences now that he takes over for Romeo Crennel as defensive coordinator.
Said Weaver: “I think schematically we’ll probably be a little bit more exotic, which potentially will allow our guys to have more success so that offenses can’t pinpoint exactly where players are going to be. So, we’re just, again, through scheme, just trying to create more opportunities for our guys.”
If the Texans defense can get off the field on third downs and create more possessions, it should help an offense that has question marks of its own following the trade of receiver DeAndre Hopkins.
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