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The Texans remade their O-Line. The early results are promising.
There was no doubt the Houston Texans’ biggest issue during the 2024 season was their offensive line.
The group allowed the third-most sacks in the NFL, couldn’t figure out how to stop a stunt to save its life and regularly ushered defensive linemen into the backfield for run stuffs.
But after making significant changes this past offseason, the results haven’t been half bad through five games.
C.J. Stroud has completed 45-of-55 passes for 477 yards and six touchdowns against the Titans and Ravens, and recently won the AFC’s Player of the Week honors. Meanwhile, the Texans’ running game is flourishing too, rushing for a season-high 167 yards and a touchdown last week.
And it’s largely been because the offensive line has played well.
“The offensive line, they’ve improved,” coach DeMeco Ryans said Monday. “Overall, with how we're running the football now, just eliminating the negative run plays, allowing plays to get started. Guys are getting a hat on a hat (and) being where they're supposed to be.”
It was hard to say that in 2024. Only one team had been stuffed more times and at a higher percentage than the Texans last season. They were stuffed on 12.3% of their runs in 2024, just 0.2% less than the Dolphins, according to NFL’s Next Gen Stats.
Oftentimes, running back Joe Mixon had to create despite defenders being in the backfield as soon as he touched the ball.
Through five games this season that number is down to 9.6%...
Read the rest of that story on how the O-Line has improved here here.
Note: Because the Texans are off this week and will not return until Tuesday, this newsletter will not publish this Monday. It will resume publishing on Friday.
 | Jonathan M. Alexander, Texans beat reporter |
Texans Trivia!
Monday's question: Since the 2023 season, Nico Collins has caught the most touchdown passes from C.J. Stroud of any player.
Which player has caught the second-most touchdown passes from Stroud?
Monday's answer: Tank Dell. He has caught 10 TD passes from Stroud.
Shoutout to Zach Kunkel for being the first to answer the question correctly.
The next Trivia question will be in next Friday's newsletter.
Photo of the Day
Photo by: Brett Coomer, Houston Chronicle
This is an awesome shot from Chronicle staff photographer Brett Coomer, showing Nico Collins and Woody Marks celebrating after Collins' touchdown catch from C.J. Stroud.