So far this preseason, the Texans have an impressive 2-0 record with a defense that's been flying to the ball.
But neither Houston's offensive or defensive units have really been tested.
The offense did not face Green Bay's or Dallas' best defensive players. And the Texans' defense has yet to face a starting quarterback.
All of that changes Saturday when the Texans host defending Super Bowl champion Tampa Bay at NRG Stadium.
Tom Brady, by far the most successful quarterback in NFL history (seven Super Bowls), and the Bucs' first team offense is expected to take the field. The Bucs will also play their first-string defense, which helped lead them to a title last season.
The Texans say they are looking forward to the challenge.
"I'm just eager to see them go against the defending Super Bowl champions, which is a good test for us, seeing their frontline guys against our frontline guys," first-year head coach David Culley said Thursday. "Looking forward to that."
Safety Justin Reid called it "the best test you can have." Reid still does not have an interception against Brady, despite the Texans' success against him and the Patriots two season ago at NRG.
"I mean we’re going against the defending Super Bowl champs," Reid said. "Brady is the greatest quarterback of all time, so this is the people you want to play. I still have yet to pick him off, even though I should have. I wish I could have some of those back, so this will be a fun game to play against him."
Reid said while every football game is exciting, this one is special going against G.O.A.T. and defending champs. On top of the added juice of who the opponent is, this is Houston's first home game of the preseason.
"We are going to have a good crowd come out," Reid said. "So we want to defend the home turf."
For other players like defensive lineman Vincent Taylor and nickel corner Desmond King II, this is just another opportunity for the Texans to improve.
They don't want to focus too much on the mystique of Brady, or the pelts on the wall in defending a Super Bowl. On defense, Taylor wants to add to their takeaway total of seven in the first two games.
"We always got room for improvement," Taylor said. "It's good that we're getting turnovers. I think each preseason game we had got turnovers. That's one thing Coach Lovie Smith preaches, so we just got to keep getting turnovers. Like I said, there is always room for improvement."
King, who so far is doubling up as the Texans' nickel corner and punt returner, said he wants to treat the Bucs the same as he did the Packers and Cowboys.
"New season, new team," King said. "That's the goal here. We're just trying to go out there and compete against each and every team. Never underestimate anybody. We want to approach the field each and every week the same way."
Smith, the Texans' first-year defensive coordinator, said players have come a long way improving from the first day of training camp.
There is still more they can do.
"It's always good when you get a chance to play the Super Bowl champion to get a great evaluation of exactly where we are," Smith said. "But we like some of the things we've done. Can't wait to play another game. Getting ready for Jacksonville."
Brandon Scott manages digital content for SportsRadio 610. Follow him on Twitter @brandonkscott.
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