The Texans offensive line has shined during the team's four-game win streak.
In the last two games, the group has allowed a pair of sacks and helped pave the way for a ground attack that gained over a hundred yards in each contest. Left to right, Duane Brown, Xavier Su'a-Filo, Ben Jones, Brandon Brooks and Derek Newton have started and finished the last three games. They've played together for every offensive snap in that trio of games, and the continuity has been key.
"Over the last I believe three games it's been basically those five that you see out there and that's always good when those five guys can play together," head coach Bill O'Brien said. "They get used to each other's calls. They get used to each other, how they react to different blocks and how our blocking schemes apply to the different fronts and blitzes and all the different things that they see. I think having the continuity of those five and being able to play together for the most part over the last few weeks has been good."
The run game churned out 123 yards and 167 yards respectively, against the Jets and Saints. According to left tackle Duane Brown, the unit's continuity has been a big positive.
"We have a great group that has been together for a few weeks now and we have been able to gel and kind of just continue to incline and we are just trying to keep that going," Brown said.
Before he signed with the Texans this offseason, quarterback Brian Hoyer was mightily impressed by the talent up front blocking.
"I knew the type of offensive line that the Texans had," Hoyer said. "They have some really good leaders between Duane and Ben and Brandon and Derek and now Xavier is really coming along at that left guard position. They have done a great job."
The success the Texans have had up front has even turned the head of Buffalo head coach Rex Ryan. He was quick to credit line coach Mike Devlin, who held the same position with him at the Jets.
"Mike Devlin I think is one of the best line coaches in the league and clearly you see him there, and the influence that he has," Ryan said.
The Texans will practice Thursday and Friday, and fly to Buffalo on Saturday. Kickoff against the Bills in Orchard Park, New York is Sunday at noon CT.
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Check out some of the best action shots from Sunday's game against the Saints.
