Houston defense looks to build on Jags game

HOUSTON (AP) -Coming off one of their best defensive performances, the Houston Texans hope they have established a building block for the franchise.

Houston's work in holding Jacksonville to 220 yards and seven points was noteworthy. But the defense still has much work ahead: it remains ranked second-worst in the NFL, allowing 386 yards a game after early-season struggles.

Defensive coordinator Richard Smith sees his defense as a work in progress.

"When we started training camp we started to get better," he said. "We came out and had a couple rough games and they stayed together, believed in the system, believed in each other and I think that shows you the character of those guys. Hopefully we can continue to grow on this experience."

The group includes seven starters with three years or less of NFL experience and two rookies. Coach Gary Kubiak knows a key to the development of his team will be how quickly these young players can grow - a theme he's tried to impress upon No. 1 pick Mario Williams and fellow rookie DeMeco Ryans.

Ryans, a linebacker who leads the team with 53 tackles, has excelled since arriving in Houston, while Williams is beginning to emerge.

"He did some really good things and he's getting better every time out," Kubiak said of Williams. "But he can still play so much better, just learning the pro game and the consistency and understanding situations ... what people are trying to do to him. He's got so far to go and can get so much better."

After some tough losses in his short career, Williams was happy the defense finally had a good showing.

"It just shows the potential that we have," he said. "We just have to add to that and keep going forward."

Tennessee Titans coach Jeff Fisher isn't underestimating the Texans' defense as he prepares for Sunday's game.

"Their defense overall is really improved," he said. "It seems like week to week they've improved. They're highly unpredictable. You don't know if they're going to come out and blitz you 10 or 12 times in a row or back off and play coverage."

Important in Houston's win over the Jaguars was the Texans' ability to force turnovers. The team had just three in its first five games and got two against Jacksonville.

"That means a lot," Kubiak said. "We're finding out that if we turn the ball over and we're sloppy from that standpoint, our team's got a tough day ahead. When we do protect the ball and the fact that they added a couple of turnovers for us, that's what gives us an opportunity."