Consistency.
It's what the Texans are striving for and outside linebacker Whitney Mercilus has found for himself.
"It's something that I've always said - it's just consistency," Mercilus said Tuesday. "That's it. Just doing things the same way day in and day out."
His performance against Philadelphia included two sacks for a combined loss of 20 yards on Eagles quarterback Nick Foles, one that knocked him out of the game with a clavicle injury. He also led the team with nine tackles and added three quarterback hits in Sunday's 31-21 loss.
Mercilus and his impact plays earned him some accolades from head coach Bill O'Brien on Monday.
"I thought the two guys, yesterday, on defense that really played a whale of a game were obviously (J.J.) Watt—J.J. disrupts so many plays during the game—and then I thought Whitney Mercilus played a really good football game yesterday," O'Brien said.
Watt had 1.5 sacks and five quarterback hits including one that led to A.J. Bouye's interception return for a touchdown in the first quarter.
Both Watt and Mercilus have been consistent contributors on defense this season, something O'Brien attributes to work ethic and playing time.
"He just acknowledges all the type of hard work that goes into all the preparation and all that and it shows up on game day and things like that," Mercilus said. "It's a nice little accomplishment within the locker room and amongst my peers and stuff like that."
