Maybe we should learn something from this.

It was really quite astounding that the Texans won on Sunday. At least, I know I was astounded - stupefied, even. And, after the game, Kubiak gave the hypothetical game ball to the defense.

Now, the defense "forced" five turnovers. But, as I recall, none of the fumbles (there were three of them) were really caused by the Texans - they just happened because the Browns are shit and the Texans kind of stumbled into the situation. Well, maybe the one caused by Jacques Reeves (!) was really caused by the Texans. But, other than that one and the interceptions (capped off by a truly heads-up play from Weaver), the Texans defense wasn't really any better than in any other week. Mario was fantastic, as always; Dunta returned the starting lineup and was very good; DeMeco continued to be one of the finest MLBs in the league. But, overall, it just didn't seem like the Texans had really improved. They're still a bad team with a shitty defense.

Now, Joe Posnanski wrote about the even worse Chiefs defense. They have created only six (SIX!) sacks all season. Wow. But what's more, it appears that they have been pursuing the Texans' draft strategy over the past six years:

In 2002, with the sixth pick in the draft, the Chiefs took defensive tackle Ryan Sims. In 2004, with their first pick (a second-rounder), they took defensive tackle Junior Siavii. In 2005, with their first pick, they took linebacker Derrick Johnson — and were absolutely thrilled he was available. In 2006, with their first pick, they took defensive end Tamba Hali and talked constantly about his never-stopping motor. This year, with the fifth pick overall, they took defensive tackle Glenn Dorsey.

Of course, the Texans haven't made the same terrible organizational choices that the Chiefs have. The Texans would never have let Jared Allen (that asshole) go (of course, the Texans really haven't had the chance yet to lose a starter to free agency. But they've invested in Mario Williams and DeMeco Ryans and Dunta and Andre Johnson, so it's clear the McNair would have been willing to invest in a player like Allen, had he been in that position).

But the point is this: the Texans have devoted four of their last five 1st round draft picks to the defense. Two of those have been unquestioned successes (Mario, Dunta). One is a good player, but still developing (Okoye), and one is largely a failure (T. Johnson). Obviously, the Texans haven't invested quite as much into their defensive line as the Chiefs have, but it's getting there. I know that the writers at DGDB&D want Brian Orakpo or Michael Johnson in 2009, and I'm inclined to agree (Christ, can you imagine Mario with a legit threat opposite him on the D-Line? That would scare the shit out of every QB in the league!). If Orakpo/Johnson develop into the DE's they seem to be, and if Amobi and Okam improve, that would be one truly fearsome line. Damn.

Anyways, be glad you're not a Chiefs/Rams/Lions/Raiders fan, Texans fan. Things could be a hell of a lot worse. The Texans suck big, old, hairy donkey nuts, but Bob McNair, Kubiak, and Rick Smith know what they're doing (but fire Richard Smith. That fucker needs to go immediately.).