They did it again. The Texans’ dramatically overhauled offensive line took on another new configuration Sunday against the Los Angeles Chargers.
Tytus Howard shifted to right tackle from left guard after starting right tackle Trent Brown was ruled out due to knee and ankle injuries Jarrett Patterson plugged in for Howard at guard.
And Blake Fisher, normally the Texans’ extra tackle in jumbo packages, started at left tackle.
Rookie left tackle Aireontae Ersery tried to play four days after undergoing surgery to repair a broken and dislocated thumb with metal hardware inserted to aid the healing process. However, the team felt like it was too soon for Ersery to get back out there. Both Ersery and Brown are expected back this season, per league sources.
The line adapted as quarterback C.J. Stroud had the luxury of plenty of time in the pocket as he delivered a pair of deep touchdown passes in the first quarter. Stroud was sacked zero times for the second week in a row. He has been sacked a career-low 23 times this season one year removed from enduring a career-high 52 sacks in the regular season.
In a 20-16 victory at SoFi Stadium, Stroud was only hit once against the NFL’s fourth-ranked defense led by pass rushers Tuli Tuipulotu and Khalil Mack. Neither hit Stroud on Sunday.
“We still, as a group, we want to continue to get better every week,” Howard told KPRC 2. “We’re still not where we wanna be at, but we’ve got guys in the room who are able to take coaching. We’re all working together. We knew the job we needed to be doing to get it done, and we’ve been doing it. We came here for only one thing. Whoever we put out there, we just got to do our job. We’ve got great coaches. They’re gonna put us in some great positions. We’ve just got to handle them.”
It’s a new day in Houston for the offensive line, and a new singular voice leading them in Popovich, a former Patriots offensive line coach mentored by legendary New England assistant coach Dante Scarneccia.
“I think the biggest thing is really just want to have a tough offensive line that plays the game in a way that the whole team can kind of see,” Popovich told KPRC 2 during training camp. “There’s a toughness established from our group there, right? We’re not shying away from any kind of contact. And then, really, the other thing would be just a smart group.
I don’t want missed assignments. That’s the biggest things. We’re trying to play clean football, trying to eliminate bad football. Play very tough, be assignment-sound, and I think we’ll be okay if we do those things."
Although the offensive line has still had some rough moments, this game wasn’t one of them.
They delivered a solid performance as the Texans extended their NFL-leading winning streak to eight games.
“I think it goes back to our line,” Stroud said. “I thought our line played great. None of us are perfect, we make some mistakes and we have to get those things fixed, but it’s all about winning these hard games because it’s going to come down usually to one score. You can’t put your head down, even if you do, you have to snap back fast."
“Guys who are able to fix the things that they need to fix and continue to get better week in and week out,” Howard said. “That starts with coach Popovich, he’s doing a great job of whoever’s in there, coaching everybody up the same.
“We’ve got a lot of guys that take huge ownership in their job, and everybody wants to be better, man. So, early on, it was rough, but we were still making our way. We’ve still got room to grow, to continue to be better, but we’re gonna do that for the playoffs.”
16 comments
I feel like the offensive line this season has notably improved compared to last year. It wasn’t wrong to come in to this season skeptical of it, but lately I feel like the O-Line has been competent enough, and not as bad as some people make it out to be. I hope that they continue to improve.
Truly an incredible performance by the line against a really good defense. Hat tip to Blake Fisher. He held it down on the left side.
Chargers pass rush isn’t great. Mack is old as shit and a line backer leads them in sacks. Definitely better than last year though. Still hope we continue to draft o line and defense.
What is the offenses issue?
It used to be our oline was bad so it held back the offense but the oline has been more than just serviceable in recent weeks. Our receivers are good. Our RB room may be less than desirable but still serviceable. So that leaves QB and OC. Stroud has had some bad throws but has greatly improved in his pocket awareness. Now its just the OC, Caley can scheme a good offense with the beginning of the chargers game, but he can’t do so outside of the initial game plan. When the defense changes their approach Caley fails to also change. If Caley can fix this issue we will have a good offense.
It’s also Stroud throwing the ball away when the play is blown up. Something he wasn’t doing last year or early in the season.
I love the line working their tail off. We’re getting more out of them than I thought we would. Stroud looks more confident because he has time and trusts the line more this year. We aren’t winning without the line doing their thing over the last 8 games.
Hearing Howard compliment and support Popovich is somewhat comforting lol. If the leader of the line trusts the coaching and is coachable then the rest of the line will buy in. A stark contrast from what we were getting from Tunsil and Strausser last season.
That said, pass pro has gotten better but run blocking is still severely lacking. Would be pointless to spend high draft capital on RB if the run blocking isn’t fixed first
0 sacks but somehow we weren’t able to get into the redzone once is a bit alarming. I’m not expecting them to march down the field with ease, but that’s just appalling
At some point, we need to consider that Cole Popovich has no idea what he’s doing and that we have really good athletes that are making it work anyway
Zero sacks. Okay.
So how much time are we spending in max protect or jumbo?
First 100 yard rushing game of the season was two freakin weeks ago.
Redzone execution still sucks.
Where sustained drives?
They were definitely not perfect but I can’t deny they have improved a good amount compared to the line efforts and performances we were seeing last season.
I am doubtful we get Brown back given his injury history but Fisher being able to handle a position is good news.
It’s the d line I’m more worried about. The script calls for the Ravens to win next week.
I was pissed at our o-line and Big Nick C for not focusing on our o-line but just like my other teams in other sports my opinion was terrible and I’m glad they figured it out and made my opinion worthless on all fronts. Love our team!!
Really? Cuz I remember blitzers were coming at stroud untouched. They need to work on that a lot.
They’re doing better but stroud threw the ball away a bunch. Credit to both but better that stroud isn’t taking long ass sacks
Yeah, no need to rush either of them back this weekend against the Colts too.
Technically one sack, but the penalty removed it.