Under the guidance of coordinator Wade Phillips, the Houston Texans defense made significant improvements in 2011 season, claiming the franchises first AFC South title.
That defense, led by Connor Barwin, Brian Cushing, DeMeco Ryans, and rookie defensive end J.J. Watt earned the moniker 'Bulls on Parade,' inspired by the popular Rage Against the Machine song.
Following a 2024 campaign in which the Houston Texans defense propelled the team to a second straight AFC South title, Reddit user KingJefferey recently proposed that this year's unit needs a new nickname.
"The amount of starpower and depth on this defense is as good as we've seen on any defense over the last 10 years. The play on the field is exciting and fun to watch. I'd argue this defense is as good as a "defense you'd give a nickname" so what do we call this defense?" he wrote.
Houston Texans defense line up to warm up during an NFL football minicamp at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Maria Lysaker-Imagn Images
Houston Texans defense line up to warm up during an NFL football minicamp
Maria Lysaker-Imagn Images
Shorty after he proposed the question, answers came flooding in.
"SPACE FORCE," one user suggested.
"Border Patrol," another user wrote.
"I kinda like the “Killzone” name the Nico brought up the other day." another said, referring to a suggestion Texans wide receiver Nico Collins made on the 'Green Light Podcast' with Chris Long.
Others weren't so quick to offer suggestions.
"I want to see them play first. You can’t just pre plan a nickname. Like legion of boom was a personality for that team." Someone commented, referencing the Seattle Seahawks secondary of the 2010s.
"Why mix it up?," another person said.
Last season, the Texans defense recored 49 sacks, 19 interceptions, allowed 313 first downs and 5.1 yards per play, all of which ranked in the top five in the league. This season, they return mostly everyone up front, and should be stronger in the secondary after trading for C.J. Gardner-Johnson and adding Jaylin Smith (USC) and Jaylen Reed (Penn State) via the NFL Draft.