The Texans pass defense was a bright shining light in Sunday's win over Buffalo.
Houston came out on top, 23-20, in Week 5 at NRG Stadium.
Many will remember the 59-yard game-winning field goal by Ka'imi Fairbairn, and deservedly so.
But the defense allowed just nine completions by perennial MVP candidate Josh Allen. The Bills' quarterback attempted 30 passes. That 30 percent completion rate yielded only 131 passing yards for Buffalo.
"It took a valiant effort from everybody," Head Coach DeMeco Ryans said. "Allen, we knew we weren't going to get many sacks against him because he's so elusive in the pocket. We just had to keep rushing, keep the pressure on him."
The Texans, as Ryans said, sacked Allen just once. Defensive tackle Khalil Davis was credited with dropping Allen for a loss of five yards in the first half. But Houston battered away at Allen, hitting him nine times, and knocking him from the game for a play in the fourth quarter.
"They did a great job of keeping the pressure on him and our back end guys, the way they covered, that was the reason why we played tight coverage, made the plays we needed to make," Ryans said. "It was that that collective effort of rush and coverage being tied together.
Stroud added that "the defense had my back" with how they played in the second half, and especially on their final series.
After a 46-yard Tommy Townsend punt was downed at the Buffalo 3-yard line by Kris Boyd, the Bills attempted three straight passes. The first one fell incomplete, and stood a fair chance at getting intercepted by rookie Kamari Lassiter, if he hadn't been interfered with. The offensive pass interference penalty was declined, and Allen fired incomplete over the middle on second down. Defensive end Will Anderson, Jr. rocked Allen on third down in the end zone, and his final throw of the day was his 30th incompletion.
