49ers HC Kyle Shanahan did not hold back on what makes Houston Texans defense great
Posted October 26, 2025
Although everyone in Houston knows better, there's probably a decent-sized chunk of the NFL's casual fan base that would look at the 2-4 record alongside the Houston Texans' name and assume that this is a mediocre football team that has been a disappointment on both sides of the ball. Of course, those who have been paying close attention to the Texans season thus far know this couldn't be further from the truth.
Despite a 2-4 record, you could make the case -- quite easily, by the way -- that the Texans defense is the very best in the NFL. Hell, it's a case I've made on numerous occasions already this season.
Even in their four losses this season, Houston's defense has done its part, holding the Rams, Buccaneers and Jaguars to 20 points or fewer in their opening three losses of the season, and putting up a far better effort against the Seattle Seahawks than the 27-19 final indicated. The Texans turned the Seahawks over four times, and only one of Seattle's scoring drives this past Monday night went for more than 50 yards.
This is just a small sampling from the mountain of data that could be provided in support of Houston's defense being the best in the league. But why listen to me when you could hear it from one of the brightest offensive minds in all of professional football?
Kyle Shanahan dishes on the defense of the Houston Texans
For multiple seasons, DeMeco Ryans served on Kyle Shanahan's staff in San Francisco, so Shanahan knows first-hand how impactful Ryans' presence can be on a defense. And after careful evaluation of the film, he knows that this Texans defense can give Mac Jones and the entire 49ers offense fits on Sunday afternoon.
"DeMeco has them playing at a very high level; very sound defense," Kyle Shanahan told NBC Sports Bay Area's Matt Maiocco. “Anytime that you go up against a defense who has extremely sound coverages, you want to know about their pass rush because with sound coverages, it’s tough to get big plays."
Surprisingly, the Texans pass rush has been one of the areas that hasn't been top-tier this season. Heading into this matchup, Houston ranks just 20th in pressure rate, 22nd in total sacks and 27th in hurry rate. In 2024, Houston was better in all three of these categories than they have been in 2025, yet heading into their Week 8 matchup with the Niners, the Texans defense is still lights out against the pass, ranking 1st in opponent quarterback rating and 2nd in completion percentage allowed.
Just imagine when Will Anderson Jr., Danielle Hunter and co. start getting after the quarterback like they did last season, when Houston finished the year with the fourth-most sacks in the NFL. Then how dominant can this defense be?
“They are going to get after you at times. That pocket is going to collapse at times. But you have to make sure if it does collapse that you protect that ball and don’t turn it over,” Shanahan declared. “They’re going to be tested because this is a very good defense."
Backing the Saints' Chris Olave among top NFL player prop expert's best bets for Week 8
Expert Alex Selesnick, who is up $3,003 on all prop picks since 2021, says to back the New Orleans receiver.
The NFL trade deadline is a little more than a week away, and among the more popular receivers being floated as possible trade candidates is the New Orleans Saints' Chris Olave. Reports have linked Olave with the Bills, Eagles, Giants, Patriots and Steelers, among others.
On some levels, the Saints moving on from the 25-year-old receiver prior to the Nov. 4 deadline makes sense. New Orleans (1-6) remains one of the worst teams in the league, and their timeline to rebuild the franchise into a NFC contender doesn't align with the Olave's prime, which is arguably right now. Also, he is signed only through the 2026 season. If the team does not feel confident in its abilities to extend Olave's contract, it would benefit from getting what it can for him from a receiver-needy team with Super Bowl aspirations.
But with every game this year, the price for Olave is going up. The 6-foot, 187-pound wideout is having a solid comeback season. After missing most of 2024 with multiple concussions, Olave leads New Orleans in virtually very important receiving category, including receptions (44), targets (71), receiving yards (440) and receiving touchdowns (three). He is on pace to set career highs in catches and touchdowns.
In the last two weeks, he has had six catches for 98 yards against the Patriots and five catches for 98 yards and two touchdowns against the Bears.
"I feel like I'm just getting in my groove, last game, this game," Olave said after last week's game. "So I feel like it's only going to get better."
SportsLine player prop expert Alex Selesnick believes Olave is in store for another big performance on Sunday against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Selesnick, who is 1,014-805 and up $3,003 on all prop picks since joining SportsLine in 2021, has made Olave Over 61.5 total receiving yards (-118) one of his top three player props for Week 8 of the NFL season.
Selesnick notes that Olave has a favorable matchup against the Buccaneers. The Tampa Bay defense is giving up 229.0 passing yards per game, which ranks 21st in the league. That defense also will be without pass rusher Haason Reddick (ankle, knee), who already has been ruled out, and may be without lineman Vita Vea (foot), who is questionable.
"Olave's target share, targets per route run, first read target rate, and his expected points per game all point to untapped upside," Selesnick says. "In a matchup against a Bucs defense that has been a pass funnel and is missing numerous starters, this is a spot where Olave could deliver another strong performance."
But the speculation of the Saints' trading Olave may be a moot point. He has said that his representation and the front office have been discussing the terms of an extension "since the beginning of the year."
That will certainly make Saints fans happy, much like his play has.
