role after performing well while filling in at strong safety for Quintin Demps (Weeks 6–7) during his absence. The switch was also partly due to Moore's issues with tackling and his poor pursuit angles. On November 1, 2015, he made his first start as the starting free safety and recorded two solo tackles in the Texans' 20–6 win against the Tennessee Titans. In Week 13, Hal collected a season-high five combined tackles and deflected a pass in the Texans' 30–21 loss at the Buffalo Bills. On January 3, 2016, he made four combined tackles, a season-high two pass deflections, and intercepted a pass by Blake Bortles in their 30–6 victory against the Jacksonville Jaguars. He finished the season with 36 combined tackles (27 solo), a career-high ten pass deflections, a career-high four interceptions, and a touchdown in 16 games and 11 starts. Pro Football Focus gave Hal an overall grade of 71.1 in his first season as a safety. The Houston Texans finished first in the AFC South with a 9–7 record. On January 9, 2016, Hal started his first career playoff game and recorded five combined tackles during a 30–0 loss against the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC Wildcard Game. 2016 Head coach Bill O'Brien retained Hal and Demps as the starting safety duo to start the 2016 regular season. He started the Houston Texans' season-opener against the Chicago Bears and made two combined tackles, a pass deflection, and intercepted a pass by Jay Cutler in their 23–14 victory. On October 16, 2016, Hal recorded four combined tackles and made his first career sack on quarterback Andrew Luck during a 26–23 victory against the Indianapolis Colts. In Week 8, he collected a season-high five combined tackles in the Texans' 20–13 win against the Detroit Lions. Hal was inactive for the Texans' Week 13 loss at the Green Bay Packers due to an unspecified illness. Upon his return, he was demoted to backup free safety behind Corey Moore for the remainder of the season. His demotion was due to multiple missed tackles. Hal finished the season with 48 combined tackles (32 solo), seven pass deflections, and two interceptions in 15 games and 11 starts. He received the 60th highest overall grade from Pro Football Focus out of the 90 qualifying safeties in 2016. The Houston Texans finished top of their division with a 9–7 record for the second consecutive