'It's All About Finishing': DeMeco Ryans Praises Houston Texans Pass Rush
HOUSTON — When the Houston Texans entered their bye week with a .500 record (3-3), coach DeMeco Ryans was pleased. But he had a major concern when it came to the Texans' ability to record sacks.
At the time, the Texans had registered 49 pressures and 22 quarterback hits through the first six games. Yet, their play only resulted in Houston recording nine sacks on the season.
But Sunday afternoon, the Texans maintained their ability to get after the quarterback during a 30-27 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals. Houston put together an impressive performance getting after Joe Burrow by recording four pressures and four sacks at Paycor Stadium.
"It's all about finishing," Ryans said. "We have been close a lot by the pressure we created. As we continue to get better as a rushing unit, it's about creating the separation and finishing at the top of our rushes. And that is what we did [on Sunday]."
Ryan observes play in the third quarter of a Week 10 NFL football game between the Houston Texans and the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Nov. 12, 2023, at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati.
Kareem Elgazzar/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK
Since returning from their Week 7 bye, Ryans has seen several changes in the Texans' improvements to record sacks. But against the Bengals, no defensive lineman left a greater impact than veteran Sheldon Rankins.
After missing the previous two games with a knee injury, Rankins posted the league's second-best pass-rushing grade at 93.1, per Pro Football Focus. His production against the Bengals resulted in him recording a career-high three sacks to go along with five tackles in the win.
Rankins' abilities to cause disruption in Cincinnati embodied Ryans' desires when it comes to getting after the opposing team's quarterback.
"It started with Sheldon," Ryans said. "He had an unbelievable game. This is how it looks when it's done the right way. Guys began to get the picture of rushing as a unit...If our defensive line is playing well, then our defense will play well as a whole."
The Texans have recorded a dozen sacks in the three games played since returning from the bye. Houston's best performance came during their 15-13 loss to the Carolina Panthers. Led by Jonathan Greenard, who had 2.5, the Texans recorded a season-high six sacks against rookie quarterback Bryce Young.
