O-line earns a gold star
Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson absorbed a ton of punishment during the first month of the season.
Sacked the most times in the NFL last season, Watson entered Sunday having been sacked 18 times for a troubling pace of 72 sacks, which would be 10 more than last season.
With Watson operating decisively and the offensive line stonewalling pass rushers Sunday, he wasn’t sacked for the first time this season and only the second time of his three-year career. During a 53-32 victory over the Falcons, Watson threw five touchdown passes and was only hit once one week removed from being sacked six times and hit 10 times overall in a loss to Carolina.
“When everybody does their job, the sky is the limit,” said left offensive tackle Laremy Tunsil, who praised Watson. “That’s what you expect out of a quarterback. I’m very impressed with him because he’s so young. He demands that respect and he gets it. He’s a true leader.”
Behind an overhauled offensive line that included trading a pair of first-round draft picks to Miami to acquire Tunsil, Watson had a lot more time in the pocket.
“The biggest thing we were just out there having fun,” Watson said. “We were all on the same page. I feel good. I’m healthy, got out with a W. We were able to get the ball out quick.”
With veteran guard Zach Fulton back in the starting lineup after missing last week with a back injury, the right side of the line was much more effective.
“They did a good job,” Texans coach Bill O’Brien said. “They put in extra time, everybody did. Everybody’s involved in sacks and everybody on offense did a good job against a very athletic, good front of not allowing sacks to happen.”
Late owner McNair enters Ring of Honor
The Texans saluted their late owner and founder Bob McNair, inducting him into their Ring of Honor.
McNair died Nov. 23, 2018. The South Carolina native was 81.
“Wow, this is amazing,” said son Cal McNair, the Texans’ chairman and chief executive officer. “He was so proud that this one day would be a place that 72,000 of his favorite people, Houstonians, would gather and cheer a team that could be loved by this city. Not a day goes by that we don’t think about him and wish he was still with us.”
The Texans did a video tribute to McNair that included taped messages from Cowboys owner Jerry Jones and retired Pro Bowl wide receiver Andre Johnson, the inaugural member of their Ring of Honor
“I can’t think of anyone more deserving of this honor,” NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said. “Without Bob McNair, there wouldn’t be a Houston Texans franchise.”
Running game puts Falcons in a bind
The speed and power of the Texans’ offense ultimately left the Falcons’ defense visibly defeated.
Between the fast pace created by quarterback Deshaun Watson and a powerful, downhill running game, the Falcons couldn’t keep up.
“When we were going uptempo, you’d see their D-linemen gassed out, hands on their hips, tired,” running back Carlos Hyde said. “When you see that, you want to put the foot on the pedal and go fast. It opens up big plays like that.”
Hyde ran behind his shoulder pads to break tackles. He also shot through gaps to reach the open field as the Texans piled up 166 rushing yards on 34 carries.
Did the Falcons quit? Not in Hyde’s opinion.
“Nah, you saw at the end of the game, I was getting tore up,” Hyde said. “They were still playing hard. They didn’t give up.”
Regardless of effort, the Falcons had no answers for the Texans as Hyde rushed for 60 yards on 21 carries and scored one touchdown. Duke Johnson ran for 59 yards on nine carries.
“The offensive line did a great job, especially on double teams,” Hyde said. “They allowed me to come downhill and hit it. I broke some runs, Duke broke some good runs. Things were definitely clicking for us.”
Fells’ hands sufficient for two-TD outing
Veteran tight end Darren Fells has earned a reputation as a physical blocker.
His receiving game looks underrated, though.
Fells caught a pair of touchdown passes on Sunday to give him three for the season on nine receptions. He prevented the Falcons from getting the football away from him on his second touchdown by high-pointing it over his head.
“I caught the ball high,” Fells said. “I knew they were going to try to punch it out, so I’m just going to keep it high away from them like I do with my little brother.”
Struggles continue for kicker Fairbairn
It was a rough game for Texans kicker Ka’imi Fairbairn, who has been inconsistent during the first five games.
Fairbairn excelled last season, but had issues again Sunday during a 53-32 win over the Atlanta Falcons. He missed two extra points wide left.
Fairbairn also hit a season-long 50-yard field goal. He has made five of seven field goals but has missed three extra points.
“We’ve got to get better,” Texans coach Bill O’Brien said when asked about the missed extra points. “That will be a big topic of getting better.”