How big of an impact has it been for the Houston Texans with new defensive coordinator Matt Burke taking over the play-calling duties in place of DeMeco Ryans?
Maybe from the fan’s perspective, it’s massive, but the third-year defensive coordinator doesn’t think it’s too big of a deal despite pitching a 26-0 shutout against the Tennessee Titans on Sunday to improve to 1-3.
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“It was not that much different than what we’ve been working on,” Burke told reporters on Thursday. “Obviously, the whole staff collaboration, DeMeco was right there with all of us the whole time and all the coaches did really good job about getting their groups ready and having information.”
The victory carries more than just bragging rights. The shutout marks the first for Houston since 2010. Holding the Titans to under 200 yards of total offense, the lowest total since 2023. A key red zone turnover also helped set up an 18-yard touchdown run from rookie Woody Marks to cap off a promising finish to close out September.
Burke said the game plan was executed well, but it also required “a little bit of luck,” since the Titans also missed tw first-half field goals to leave the score at 6-0 entering the fourth quarter.
“When it’s clicking and when guys are communicating on the same page and not just having one guy bust here, one guy bust there, whatever those things are, I think we have enough talent to produce,” Burke said. “The shutout is sort of a byproduct of that.”
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While the Texans are expecting shutout matches for the rest of the regular season, another low-scoring affair could be in the works at M&T Bank Stadium on Sunday when the Baltimore Ravens take the field. Houston, which enters the week as a near 2-point favorite, won;t be tasked with taking on two-time MVP quaterback Lamar Jackson, who’s missed the last week of practice with a hamstring strain.
It’s unclear if Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans will have Burke run the show again, but the longtime assistant isn’t changing up to prepare for a chance to run the defense once more.
“Wherever he thinks my focus needs to be, it is, and when it changes and changes,” Burke said. “I’m gonna continue to prepare to go, and when he tells me it’s time to go, I go.”
Kickoff is scheduled for noon CT on CBS. Former three-time Defensive Player of the Year and Texans’ Ring of Honor recipient J.J. Watt will be on the call.
This article originally appeared on Texans Wire: Will Texans DC Matt Burke call plays vs. Ravens in Week 5?