Stopping Josh Allen right now is like trying to tackle a freight train with a pool noodle. The man is a walking, talking, touchdown-throwing machine. After lighting up the Buccaneers for a casual six touchdowns, he’s getting ready to face the Houston Texans off a historic hot streak.
DeMeco Ryans, the head coach of the Texans, isn’t exactly sending out party invitations. He knows what’s coming. “We understand Josh is one of the most dynamic quarterbacks,” Ryans said, in what might be the understatement of the year. He called Allen a “big, physical guy” with “awesome arm talent.”
So, how do the Texans stop this guy? It’s the classic “unstoppable force meets an immovable object” scenario. Houston’s defense isn’t just good; it’s statistically the best in the NFL. First in scoring defense, first in total yards allowed, first in making offenses go three-and-out, and sulk back to the bench. They are, on paper, the kryptonite to Allen’s Superman.
A Ghost Of Seasons Past For the Texans
Let’s rewind to last season. The Texans actually did the impossible: they smothered Allen. They held him to a career-low 30% completion rate in a gritty 23-20 victory. It was a defensive masterpiece. Allen was 1-for-11 against man coverage and looked completely rattled when pressured. He probably still has nightmares about that game.
“I got beat up that game. Didn’t play well at all,” Allen said, recalling the bruising encounter. You can bet he’s circled this game on his calendar with a big, red marker. Revenge is a powerful motivator, especially for a guy who is already playing at an MVP level.
Can the Texans’ Offense Keep Up?
Here’s the rub for Houston. While their defense is a brick wall, their offense has been… well, let’s just say they won’t be mistaken for the ’99 Rams. With C.J. Stroud still sidelined with a concussion, the reins are with Davis Mills. Mills has been clutch, leading the Texans to two straight nail-biting wins, but asking him to go toe-to-toe with Josh Allen in a shootout is a tall order.
The Texans will need a complete team effort. Their defense has to replicate last year’s performance, forcing Allen into mistakes. The offense needs to control the clock, sustain drives, and keep Allen cooling his heels on the sideline. And maybe, they can catch lightning in a bottle for the second year in a row.
It is a monumental challenge, but that’s what primetime football is all about. Can the league’s top defense once again ground one of its most electrifying players? We’ll find out this evening.
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