The Texans gave up 5.4 yards per rush in the first half. Defensive linemen Christian Covington, D. J. Reader and Devon Still shared most of the first half snaps. They got little penetration, no pass rush, left many running lanes and were generally pushed around by a very good offensive line.
Covington didn’t display the quickness and strength that was evident against the Saints. Reader and Still spent most of their time chicken fighting at the line of scrimmage (if one unsuccessful bull rush after another is characterized as chicken fighting). Brandon Dunn followed the same script when he was on the field.