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Photo: Karen Warren / Houston Chronicle Image 1 of / 13 Caption Close Image 2 of 13 Quarterbacks: C-plus Ryan Fitzpatrick is on a pace to throw for 3,514 yards, complete 63.4 percent, throw 18 touchdown passes, suffer 14 interceptions, compile a 87.6 rating and be sacked 32 times. He’s been inconsistent, but he’s having to throw under too much pressure, especially when he’s being blitzed. Half his interceptions weren’t his fault. Some of the sacks are his fault for holding the ball too long or not finding open receivers. If the protection improves, he’ll improve. less Quarterbacks: C-plus Ryan Fitzpatrick is on a pace to throw for 3,514 yards, complete 63.4 percent, throw 18 touchdown passes, suffer 14 interceptions, compile a 87.6 rating and ... more Photo: Karen Warren / Houston Chronicle Image 3 of 13 Running backs: A Arian Foster has been outstanding. He’s rushed for 766 yards and 5.2 a carry. He’s scored nine touchdowns, including seven rushing. He missed the Giants loss and ran for 6 yards on eight carries in the victory over Buffalo. He averages 109.4 yards rushing. Take out the 6 yards and the Bills game, too, and he averages 126.6. He’s also an effective receiver. As long as he stays healthy, the Texans are capable of beating just about anybody. Rookie Alfred Blue has made progress, spelling Foster and producing 221 yards on 61 carries. less Running backs: A Arian Foster has been outstanding. He’s rushed for 766 yards and 5.2 a carry. He’s scored nine touchdowns, including seven rushing. He missed the Giants loss ... more Photo: Karen Warren / Houston Chronicle Image 4 of 13 Wide receivers & tight ends: B-minus Despite not throwing as much as they used, the Texans could have two 1,000-yard receivers for the first time. Andre Johnson is on a pace for 92 receptions and 1,102 yards and DeAndre Hopkins 72 receptions for 1,138 yards. Their catches have come at the expense of the tight ends, who have combined for only 16 catches and 152 yards. Hopkins (three) and Johnson (one) haven’t scored many touchdowns because Ryan Fitzpatrick has only nine scoring passes. Both could be utilized better in the red zone. less Wide receivers & tight ends: B-minus Despite not throwing as much as they used, the Texans could have two 1,000-yard receivers for the first time. Andre Johnson is on a pace for ... more Photo: Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle Image 5 of 13 Image 6 of 13 Offensive line: C The line has been inconsistent overall and has struggled in pass protection at times under new coach Paul Dunn. The run blocking has been solid to superb and continues to get better. They need to improve blitz pickup, but quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick and the running backs also play a role in that deficiency. If the line protects Fitzpatrick better over the second half, the Texans will have a legitimate chance to have a winning record. less Offensive line: C The line has been inconsistent overall and has struggled in pass protection at times under new coach Paul Dunn. The run blocking has been solid to superb and ... more Photo: Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle Image 7 of 13 Defensive line: B J.J. Watt is the NFL’s best defensive player and the only Texans player to provide a consistent pass rush. He’s on a pace for 14 sacks and the team 30, two fewer than last season. The linemen have improved against the run recently. The addition of veteran nose tackle Ryan Pickett, who ties up two blockers even though he’s still not 100 percent after sitting out so long, has worked remarkably well. The Texans have allowed only 112 yards rushing in the last two games, and Pickett has a lot to do with it. Jared Crick continues to improve in his first season as a starter. less Defensive line: B J.J. Watt is the NFL’s best defensive player and the only Texans player to provide a consistent pass rush. He’s on a pace for 14 sacks and the team 30, two ... more Photo: Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle Image 8 of 13 Linebackers: C-plus Teams using a 3-4 scheme always have injury issues at this position because they have to be so physical taking on offensive linemen and play such a key role in stopping the run. Despite injuries, primarily Jadeveon Clowney’s knee, Brian Cushing’s knee and Brooks Reed’s groin, the linebackers are playing better against the run. But they still have to put more pressure on the quarterback. Whitney Mercilus and Reed have combined for three sacks. They have to do better over the second half. Perhaps Clowney can bolster the pass rush as he continues to get into better football shape. At times, the linebackers have struggled in coverage. less Linebackers: C-plus Teams using a 3-4 scheme always have injury issues at this position because they have to be so physical taking on offensive linemen and play such a key role in ... more Photo: Smiley N. Pool / Houston Chronicle Image 9 of 13 Secondary: C The defensive backs make a lot of big plays and give up a lot of big plays. They’ve helped the Texans force 17 turnovers, including 10 fumble recoveries. They’ve been good about forcing turnovers in the red zone. They’ve been inconsistent on tackling and coverage. Sometimes they’re sure tacklers. Other times they go for the strip and miss the tackle. They’ve had miscommunication issues, too. They’ve had problems with the really fast receivers. less Secondary: C The defensive backs make a lot of big plays and give up a lot of big plays. They’ve helped the Texans force 17 turnovers, including 10 fumble recoveries. They’ve ... more Photo: Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle Image 10 of 13 Image 11 of 13 Special teams: C Shane Lechler averages 47.5 yards, but his 37.5-yard net has to improve. Randy Bullock has connected on 15 of 17 field goals and is on a pace for 130 points. His kickoffs are deeper this season. The coverage teams have been too inconsistent, allowing 13.6 yards on punt returns and 24.4 on kickoff returns. The worst part of the special teams has been returns. They’re not helping the offense. Punt returns have been awful, averaging 6.3 yards, and it doesn’t matter if it’s Keshawn Martin or Damaris Johnson. The blocking has to get better. Kickoff returns average 21.5. The coaches are sticking with Martin on punts and Danieal Manning on kickoffs. They’ve got to do something about the blocking, or this will continue to be a major weakness. less Special teams: C Shane Lechler averages 47.5 yards, but his 37.5-yard net has to improve. Randy Bullock has connected on 15 of 17 field goals and is on a pace for 130 points. His ... more Photo: Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle Image 12 of 13 Coaching: B-minus Bill O’Brien has made some mistakes in play calling, but rookie head coaches are like players in that they must learn from their mistakes. O’Brien is smart, and he should learn. As an NFL play caller, he’s gone from Tom Brady to Ryan Fitzpatrick, so he’s limited. Romeo Crennel is an experienced defensive coordinator who has his side playing well against the run, on third down and in the red zone. Like the players, the coaches should do a better job over the second half because of familiarity. When you think about some of the team’s limitations and the fact they’ve been out of only one game, the staff should get some well-deserved credit. less Coaching: B-minus Bill O’Brien has made some mistakes in play calling, but rookie head coaches are like players in that they must learn from their mistakes. O’Brien is smart, ... more Photo: Karen Warren / Houston Chronicle Image 13 of 13 Numbers show Joseph, Jackson are among league's top CB tandems 1 / 13 Back to Gallery

Since they signed free-agent cornerback Johnathan Joseph in 2011 and inserted him into the lineup next to Kareem Jackson, the Texans have allowed opponents to complete only 56.2 percent of their passes – the worst completion percentage in the NFL.

During their four years together, Joseph and Jackson have been part of a defense that has surrendered only 213.2 yards passing a game – third in the league.

“It shows how hard we work,” Jackson said. “Our job is to perform to the best of our ability, give up as few yards as we can and help the team win.

“Playing with Johnathan has been great for my career. I’ve learned a lot from him.”

Jackson is a five-year starter who was drafted in the first round in 2010. He’s in the last year of his contract. Joseph said he’d like to continue playing with Jackson – in other words, sign him to a new contract.

“I agree with him,” Jackson said. “I’d definitely love to be here and keep playing with Johnathan.

“We all take pride in our job. We all hold ourselves accountable and to play to a (high) standard.”

Since Jackson came from the University of Alabama and Joseph from the Cincinnati Bengals, safeties have come and gone.

“It’s an interchangeable league,” Joseph said. “People come and go, and you play with whoever you’re with at the time.

“I’ve been fortunate to play with (cornerback) Leon Hall (Cincinnati) for (five) years and Kareem for four years. Having a great guy on the other side of you makes your job a lot easier.

“We have a good friendship on and off the field. We know this is a what-have-you-done-for-me-lately league, and we have to hold up our end of the bargain every week.”