JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – There have been plenty of times this season when it would have been appropriate for a finger or two to be pointed in the direction of the Texans’ offensive line.
They’ve done that frequently, taking accountability for breakdowns in pass protection and run blocking that have caused quarterback C.J. Stroud to be sacked often, hit and pressured relentlessly and for talented running back Joe Mixon to have no visible holes to run through.
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Sunday wasn’t one of those times. It was an altogether different performance from the offensive line as the big guys provided ample time for Stroud to be comfortable in the pocket. They opened up large patches of real estate for Mixon to rumble through.
After the game, after Stroud was only sacked twice, hit just three times overall and Mixon punished the Jacksonville Jaguars for 101 rushing yards and one touchdown during a 23-20 road victory, the offensive line received a game ball from coach DeMeco Ryans. Stroud had lots of time to process the defense and connect with tight end Dalton Schultz for his first touchdown catch of the season.
“The pass protection, I thought, was really, really great, none better than the play on Dalton getting a touchdown,” Ryans said. “They pressured us and to see our O-line, backs step up. We challenge them to step up and give C.J. time, and, when you give him time, he can make great decisions with the football. I’m really proud of our offensive line. They got the game ball today and they deserved it for the way they protected him.”
#Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud praised offensive line's 'great protection' @KPRC2 pic.twitter.com/1p5M3VHKSr
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) December 2, 2024
Stroud has been sacked 41 times, second-most in the NFL behind Chicago Bears rookie quarterback Caleb Williams, who’s been sacked 49 times. Stroud has been the most pressured quarterback in the NFL and he’s been sacked three more times than his entire prolific rookie season. The pressure has undoubtedly increased his propensity to throw interceptions, and he has nine this season after throwing just five interceptions as a rookie.
Stroud expressed his gratitude at how the offensive line performed in this pivotal win heading into a much-needed bye.
“I mean, they’re our everything,” Stroud said. “It starts up front. When they can come out and have great protection from the start, it gives me a sense of confidence. It gives the receivers, knowing they can run the full depth, the backs know where to hit. You know, once you got that flowing, it looks like it’s working.
“But I think they’ve done a good job at handling all the noise and the media and all these things. At the end of the day, they’ll love you one week and hate you the next. That’s part of business we’re in. I think they’ve done a great job at just keeping their head down and working.”
Pro Bowl left tackle Laremy Tunsil had a team-high 87.6 pass blocking grade, followed by center Jarrett Patterson’s 85.2 grade and right guard Shaq Mason’s 75.2 mark.
This was much higher than usual for the offensive line as a whole, especially Mason, whom Pro Football Focus has credited for eight sacks and 19 hurries and 32 pressures
Tunsil had a 78.8 run blocking grade, highest among the linemen. There were also good blocking grades for wide receivers John Metchie III (86.5) and Robert Woods (75.3) and rookie tight end Cade Stover (81.2).
Mixon took over the game in the second half, including his first down on 3rd-and-5 to ice the game. He rushed for 5.1 yards per carry and became the first player in NFL history to have six 100-yard rushing performances in a single season on the road, bypassing Derrick Henry and Tiki Barber.
Mixon had rushed for just 19 yards on eight carries in the first half, averaging 2.4 yards per run one week after the Texans’ running game was shut down as he was held to 22 yards on 14 carries in a shocking loss to the Tennessee Titans and their heavyweight defensive tackle tandem of Jeffery Simmons and T’Vondre Sweat.
Not this time, though. Mixon wasn’t going to be denied.
“It’s everything because when you are put in gotta-have it situations you’ve got to deliver,” Mixon said inside the visitors’ locker room minutes after loud music played in celebration. “You’ve got to do whatever you can to show up for your brothers. I tell them boys, ‘Just give me a crease, I’m going to find it, I’m going to make you right.’
“Those boys, they was locked in. Third-and-five, you know it’s coming, they knew it was coming. They knew where it was coming. To be able to dominate and come out on top and be able to convert a 3rd-and-5, that’s will and want-to. That’s grit. That’s imposing our will and I’m glad we were able to convert and finish strong.”
#Texans running back Joe Mixon on win over #Jaguars his latest 100-yard game and touchdown, his blocking and state of 8-5 team headed into much needed bye @KPRC2 pic.twitter.com/oFHGp1C6Sm
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) December 1, 2024
Midway through the third quarter at the Jaguars’ 37-yard line with the score tied at 6-6, Mixon cut sharply to his left and ran 30 yards before he was pushed out of bounds by the left sideline. This marked the Texans’ second-longest play of the game, ranking behind wide receiver Nico Collins’ 40-yard catch
“Joe is a dawg, man,” Texans right tackle Tytus Howard told KPRC 2. “This is him every day at practice. He’s tough and physical. We do what we do and he’s going to lead us and make plays. Grown-man football.”
That run set the table for Mixon’s touchdown run to give them a lead they wouldn’t relinquish as the Texans scored 17 consecutive points. This was the Texans’ second offensive touchdown in the second half since an Oct. 13 Dameon Pierce touchdown run against the New England Patriots.
“Dawg, that’s pretty much all there is to say,” Tunsil told KPRC 2 when asked about Mixon’s contributions. “There’s not much to say. Always finishing.”
The blocking was there and Mixon did the rest.
He trusted his blockers and he was instinctive in reading the holes.
“To be honest, bro, credit to them: the linemen, the tight ends, the receivers, the fullbacks,” Mixon said. “They bust their (butts). We know you’re going to make it right. All week, we talked about running backs and linemen and combinations and Slow was harping on staying in phase.
“The fact we was able to block, running the football, they was throwing all kinds of looks, everything on a play sheet to try to stop the run. I just felt like we did a hell of a job owning what was called. Everybody was out there making blocks and me being able to make a play.”
After the game, not being hit as much as usual, Stroud was in a great mood.
“To be out there and come out healthy and feel intact and my body feels good,” Stroud said. “So very grateful for that.”
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Aaron Wilson is a Texans and NFL reporter for KPRC 2 and click2houston.com.
