Jets' Defensive Backs Create Major Problems for Houston's Aerial Attack

The Houston Texans brought the NFL's second-ranked passing offense into MetLife Stadium and found out. There are no easy completions when going against the New York Jets' defense.

In fact, there weren't many completions at all for the Texans in the 30-6 road loss to the Jets. New York limited Houston to a season-low 39.2 completion percentage. The defense accounted for 10 pass break-ups while permitting only 11 catches on 28 attempts.

"We just denied our man. I love our secondary. They’re just competitive, they’re some ballers. I wouldn’t want anyone else back there," said second-year cornerback Sauce Gardner following the Week 14 win.

Gardner broke up two passes and logged a tackle-for-loss on a wide receiver screen play. Cornerback D.J. Reed registered a team-high three passes defensed. Houston's receivers appeared to struggle to create separation from Gang Green's defenders. With safety Tony Adams and slot cornerback Michael Carter II joining the act, four Jets' defensive backs logged at least one pass breakup in the team's first win since October.

Texans' rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud, who had entered into the MVP conversation in recent weeks, went 10-of-23 passing for 91 yards prior to suffering an apparent head injury in the fourth quarter.

"I thought our back end was sticky and made it hard for him [Stroud]," said Saleh.

Coming on in relief, Houston's Davis Mills completed one four-yard pass over five attempts. Combined, Stroud and Mills averaged 3.4 yards per attempt. Texans' pass-catchers managed only 8.6 yards per reception.

In all fairness, the Texans, who entered the game averaging 275.2 pass yards per outing, were without rookie receiver Tank Dell and starting tight end Dalton Schultz. Then, during the game, Houston lost Nico Collins to an injury. Collins had one catch for 13 yards prior to exiting and did not return.

"Nico had a lower leg injury with the calf, and we lost him for the game," said Texans' head coach DeMeco Ryans. "Of course, it hurts when one of your best playmakers is not there. It hurts us, but this game it strictly came down to, credit to the Jets. Their players, they made plays. They made plays and we didn’t."

As a whole, the Jets held Houston to a season-low 1.6 net yards per pass play.

"Tank and Nico are great players and it hurts us not having them out there playing with us, but we have a lot of guys in that room who have done great things," said Mills.

The Jets move onto Week 15 while ranking second overall amongst NFL team leaders in pass defense (167.2 ypg). New York limits opponents to 5.41 yards per pass play.

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