Houston Texans' Healthy Offensive Line Couldn't Boost Struggling Run Game vs. Atlanta Falcons

The Houston Texans' returning linemen Tytus Howard and Laremy Tunsil weren't enough to get the ground game going in Week 5.

Things were supposed to go better for the Houston Texans on Sunday. Facing the Atlanta Falcons and struggling quarterback Desmond Ridder, these two teams very much felt like they were trending in opposite directions.

Instead, Ridder had the game of his young career, and the Texans lost 21-19. The Falcons’ plan of limiting Houston’s number of drives and controlling the game through time of possession worked well enough to take the victory.

There’s plenty of blame to spread around, especially on the defensive side of the ball. However, the Texans’ persistent inability to run the ball has remained an issue—despite the offensive line getting healthier.

Houston started the game with two returning (quality) veterans. Left tackle Laremy Tunsil and left guard Tytus Howard made their returns in what would be the team’s best offensive line combination of the season … on paper.

Against a defense as good against the run as Atlanta, that seemed like it would matter. Simply put, it didn’t.

Pierce running against the Falcons' defense for an insignificant gain / Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

Texans running back Dameon Pierce rushed 20 times for 66 yards in Week 5. It was the second-most attempts and yards for Pierce this season and yet another uninspiring outing.

“I think we have to get it going,” head coach DeMeco Ryans said after the loss. “Keep running it. We gotta block it better. We gotta run it better.”

There isn’t much else to add.

Through five weeks, Houston’s rushing attack ranks 30th in expected points added per play and dead last in success rate. Given how promising Pierce looked last year, this level of production is not only disappointing—it’s unacceptable.

At some point, this operation could come full circle and revert back to hurting rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud, leaving him out to dry without a run game to complement him.

Any significant improvement, though, could have meaningful results for this offense. Offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik’s offense is at its best when it can run the ball well, just like the San Francisco 49ers offense he hails from.

There’s another level to the Houston offense that is yet to be unlocked. Given its reliance on the run game, the Texans may have lost the key.