The Houston Texans offensive line is hitting its stride. Just five weeks after left tackle Laremy Tunsil arrived via trade from Miami, the offense exploded in one of its best performances to date.
"We opened up a lot of windows for passing game and the running game was executing," Tunsil said. "Big shoutout to the running backs who were doing their job also. We were doing our job also. It takes 11 guys to do their job."
In Sunday's 53-32 win over Atlanta, Deshaun Watson finished the game with zero sacks and just one quarterback hit. Houston's offense put up a staggering 592 net yards (426 passing, 166 rushing). Watson completed 85 percent of his passes, throwing as many touchdown passes as incompletions (five), no interceptions and a perfect passer rating of 158.3 with solid protection up front.
It hasn't been an easy transition for Tunsil and Houston's o-line, which includes two rookies in left guard Max Scharping and right tackle Tytus Howard. However, Tunsil's approach to the game and demeanor have made it a relatively quick one.
"I think now, having been here for five games, he's a lot more comfortable," head coach Bill O'Brien said. "He's more comfortable with his teammates, he's more comfortable with the system, I think there's a lot that goes into that. You're moving. There's a lot that goes into that with his family and having to move his family and all of those different things. So, I think he's in more of a comfort zone right now and I think he's just a very poised – that's the best thing about L.T. is he's the same guy every day, and that's really what you want those guys to be."
The Texans, who often struggled last year in the redzone, now lead the AFC and rank second in the NFL in redzone touchdown efficiency (73.3 percent) this season. Houston has scored a touchdown on 11 of 15 trips in that area (four rushing, seven passing). Including the three field goals kicked, the Texans are 93.3 percent in redzone scoring efficiency overall.
On Sunday, Tunsil and the (3-2) Texans will travel to Kansas City to face the (4-1) Chiefs. Kickoff is set for 12 noon CT on CBS and SportsRadio 610.
