Ryan’s defense enters the game ranked first in scoring defense (16.3), first in total yards per game (258.1), first in three-and-out percentage (33.0), and tied for first in TD-INT ratio (10-10) and defensive touchdowns (2).
The Texans coach knows that slowing Allen down isn’t just about taking away his first read; it continues to stick with the receiver when the QB goes into ad-lib mode.
“It’s not just him buying time, I think schematically they’ve done a good job of having their receivers tied to when he turns to where they’re going,” he said. “It’s not just backyard football. He’s very coordinated in what they do and where they are. So, defensively, for our guys, you’ve got to keep rushing, you’ve got to keep covering. However long it takes, you’ve got to keep going. We know it’s going to be longer games, he’s going to buy time no matter what you do. If he just has to close the defense if he’s not able to close it. the ball up, we expect our secondary to shut him down and go up and make plays.”
Allen is hitting 69.6 completion percentage through 10 games to go with 245.6 pass YPG, 18 pass TDs, seven INTs, 105.6 passer rating, 35.1 rush YPG and 10 rush TDs in 2025. (8.4) and higher completion percentage and scoring than he did in his 2024 MVP campaign. Allen already has more fourth quarter comebacks (2) and winners (3) in 2025 than last year.
Last season, Ryan’s defense in Texas suffocated Allen, holding the QB to a career-high 30 percent completion rate (9-of-30 passing) in a Week 5 23-20 win over Buffalo. Allen completed 1-of-11 man-to-man passes in that game (49-yard TD pass) and was 1-of-14 when pressured (a 45.7 percent pressure percentage was the highest he’s faced over the past two seasons), according to Next Generation Stats.
Houston (5-5) will need a similar performance Thursday night to move above .500 for the first time this season.