A method to O’Brien’s madness
Emphasis on the run helping line reduce sacks, hits on Watson
During the Texans’ six-game winning streak, no area of the team has improved more than the offensive line.
Injuries, presnap penalties and poor play plagued the line during a 0-3 start, but the continuity from having the same five starters during most of the winning streak has contributed to the improvement.
After getting ripped unmercifully early in the season when quarterback Deshaun Watson was bashed like a piñata, the line has made a lot of progress.
Tackles Julién Davenport and Kendall Lamm, guards Zach Fulton and Senio Kelemete and center Nick Martin are the five starters.
Guard Greg Mancz has started two games of late when Fulton was injured. Rookie tackle Martinas Rankin is developing. They are the seven linemen active on game days.
Another factor contributing to the line’s improvement is Bill O’Brien’s play-calling.
“I give coach O’Brien a lot of credit,” offensive line coach Mike Devlin said Tuesday. “The way he’s been calling games has really given us a chance to have some success up front. He’s very conscious of what we need to do to help protect Deshaun and where the issues are — on the edge or in the middle.”
O’Brien’s critics who are blasting him for stubbornly running the ball so much, especially on first down, have to understand there’s method to his madness.
The more the Texans run the ball, the better it is for Watson.
In the Texans’ first six games, Watson averaged 36.1 passes, and they were 3-3. He was sacked 25 times and knocked down an additional 65 times. During that stretch, the Texans averaged 28.1 rushes and 109.1 yards.
Over the last three games, the Texans are 3-0, and they haven’t committed a turnover. Watson, who has eight touchdown passes during that period, has been sacked five times and knocked down another 10 times. They’ve averaged 35 carries and 142.3 yards.
No fair peeking
Guess which team leads the NFL with 274 rushes. Yes, the Texans.
“Some defenses give us more of an opportunity to do that than others,” Devlin said about running the ball. “The more they do it, the more (the linemen) play with each other, and when you’re on the same page, you have a chance.”
The idea is to expose Watson to as few hits as possible. As long as he’s healthy, the Texans are capable of defeating their last seven opponents, beginning with a game at Washington after their open date.
One of the most difficult things for the linemen has been adjusting to Watson when he moves around in the pocket or leaves the pocket trying to find a receiver. That comes with experience — in practice and in games.
“That takes time from spring to fall to now, knowing that he’s going to extend plays,” Devlin said. “That’s what makes him great. They’ll do whatever they can to protect him.
“Deshaun can do whatever he wants with the ball. We don’t care because he makes us a better offensive line. Look, when it’s thirdand-whatever and they know we’re passing the ball and we know we’re passing the ball, those are times when I really look to see if we’re getting better — when everybody knows what you’re doing.”
It has taken time for Watson to develop an on-field rapport with his linemen. They don’t have eyes in the back of their helmets, but they have to be ready when he moves around trying to buy time.
Watson is developing confidence in his linemen, and they’re developing confidence in him because they know what he’s capable of doing.
The linemen take pride in knowing facts like this: They’ve blocked Demarcus Lawrence (Dallas), Calais Campbell (Jacksonville), Yannick Ngakoue ( Jacksonville), Cameron Wake (Miami), Von Miller (Denver) and Bradley Chubb (Denver), and those opponents combined for only two sacks.
Both sacks came Sunday in the 19-17 victory at Denver. Miller and Chubb got one each, and both were coverage sacks.
“Every matchup is tough,” Devlin said. “Every defense we play has great players. I think playing together always helps.”
Knock on wood
Early in the season, the presnap penalties were maddening, with Davenport and Lamm being the primary culprits.
“I think young guys getting some experience playing and figuring it out — the more they play, the more confidence they have in even the procedural things,” Devlin said.
Health plays an instrumental role in the success of any offensive line. The Texans have used seven starters.
“The last three or four weeks here, we’ve been able to have a semblance of the same,” Devlin said. “The more those guys are around each other, the more they know each other, and you’ve got a chance.”
And as long as the offensive line stays healthy, avoids penalties and continues to improve, the Texans have a good chance to win the AFC South.