Texans - 41, Chargers - 29
Q. Can you talk about how well you all were able to run the ball today and how it helped you guys to the victory?
REX BURKHEAD: Offensive line did a tremendous job from the get go. Really, first run of the game. And controlling the line of scrimmage, being physical. Not only at the first level but the second level as well. And made my job easy back there, just running behind those, giving us clear holes and paths and reading off their blocks.
It's a lot of fun when that's happening. And it really helped our offense get some momentum there early on.
Q. How would you describe your running style? I know all year you've been running hard and haven't always got the paid off. But you get it done today and you get the yards. How would you describe your approach to playing the position and what you were able to do?
REX BURKHEAD: Just trying to do the best I can, whether that's in the run game, the pass game. I guess going to your question there, my running style, I try to be patient. Try to let things develop and hit it when I need to hit it. Try to change it up, of course. You can't just be one dimensional or guys are going to key on you. I try to mix it up.
My dad was a running back growing up. And he also preached to me about being versatile. And not always just hitting the hole fast, you've got to be patient at times. And today the offensive line did a great job allowing us to be patient and letting things develop and really getting through their holes when we needed to.
Q. When you came off the sideline at the end of the game, a staffer handed you a ball there that you carried off. What was that? What's the significance behind that?
REX BURKHEAD: I've got to ask Davis on that. I guess he said Davis wanted to give that to me. I'm honestly not even sure myself. I've got to go talk to him and figure that out. Appreciate it from Davis, I guess.
Q. Davis wanted to get you a game ball?
REX BURKHEAD: I guess, I think that was his thinking behind it. We'll find out here soon.
Q. And the confidence that they have in the run game, there was a crucial drive right there at the end. On third and three you were able to pick up that first down. What was it like in this game with your long runs and the confidence they had in the run game and the belief you would be able to convert the crucial spots for them?
REX BURKHEAD: Like I said, the offensive line did a tremendous job. You can see it in their eyes. They're focused. They had a great week of preparation. And when it came down to those critical moments they were locked in.
They were moving guys, making it easy for me to get those yards. Not having to stop and start in the backfield but really to push that pile forward and to get those first downs when we needed to.
Q. You probably haven't given this a single thought but if you could what does it mean to have a career-best day, 149 yards?
REX BURKHEAD: You know, it's all great. But I'm more happy we got the victory. That's two in a row for us. And we're just trying to get better as a team, better as a unit each and every week.
We've got two more opportunities for us left in this season. And it was awesome to see everybody contribute. Tavierre there with the interception for a touchdown at the end. A guy who I have a ton of respect for. He's a hard worker, comes to work every single day ready to get better.
And of course Phil with some great catches. C-Mo with an unbelievable catch in traffic. And, of course, Davis with just great throws all day, taking control of the huddle and leading us down the field.
Q. What about the fact that I know that y'all's motto is to zone out the noise. But you pulled off an upset that nobody thought you could except the guys in the locker room. Could you give us some thoughts about that?
REX BURKHEAD: Just like you said, blocking out distractions. There's a ton going around not only on our team but across the league, of course with all the COVID stuff. A bunch of guys stepping in, just being ready when their number was called.
And whether that was on the offensive line, on defense. We had some guys out there for the first time. Of course my guy Paul Quessenberry getting out there on special teams. It was fun to see him. Guys just stepping in when their number's called and taking advantage of their opportunities.
That's what this league is all about. You never know when your number's going to be called and just being patient and working hard every single day. So to see some of those young guys and even older guys get those opportunities was special.
Q. What did you think about the way the receivers stepped up without Brandin Cooks and Mills' progress today? And did the way they threw the ball, did that have an effect on how the Chargers were playing you and help you get more yards?
REX BURKHEAD: Yeah, absolutely, complementary football, like you said. He did a great job, making some big time throws. The touchdown, I forgot to mention, to Chris Conley there. Unbelievable throw and catch. Brevin had some big-time catches.
Anytime you can get the pass game going it's going to always help the run game and vice versa. If you're controlling the line of scrimmage it's going to open up the pass game as well. I thought Davis did a great job making good decisions and putting the ball where it needed to go.
Q. You've already talked about the offensive line, but what does it say about them to be sort of just like I guess an odd mix of guys given what happened the last couple of weeks going for y'all and COVID and everything? What does it say about those guys maybe not necessarily be the group that always plays together and still be able to block on the first and second level the way you mentioned?
REX BURKHEAD: It says a lot about them. Not only just from a working-hard standpoint or getting after guys, a physicality standpoint but just the mental game as well. We've got guys moving around on the line, playing new positions. And maybe not getting the reps throughout the week because all of a sudden a guy goes down.
For them to step in there and block their tails off, know their assignments, getting a hat on a hat is super impressive to me and of course I'm appreciative for it.
Q. Earlier Coach Culley mentioned that you guys are just executing the plays better sort of overall. Why do you think that is?
REX BURKHEAD: Kind of like I said, just guys being locked in from the get-go. And understanding how the run game's going, making sure they're on their assignments. And if we're executing, executing at a high level, I feel like that's the kind of things that come out of this offense.
And when Davis controls the line, doesn't panic and keeps things under control, and makes sure he's making the right calls, making the right points for our guys up front. And it makes their job easy. They go out there with confidence. As you continue to run the ball that confidence continues to grow.
Q. The stats are what they are. You guys entered today ranked last in rushing offense per carry as well and also in touchdowns. Did you feel like you guys were kind of due for a breakthrough after trying to run and sticking with the run all season and finally getting the results you were hoping for today?
REX BURKHEAD: Yeah, absolutely. We've been working our tails off in the run game, trying to improve that area for sure. And we took that as a challenge. The guys up front took it as a challenge, whether it was the linemen, the tight ends. And the coaches of course as well. And we knew as long as we executed we could have a day like we did today and fortunately for us we did that. And the guys up front did a tremendous job.
Q. You guys have won two in a row now. What does this do for your team and what's that locker room like whenever you've gone back to the last couple of games now?
REX BURKHEAD: It's huge. Hopefully carry some of that momentum going forward here with the final two weeks, like I said earlier. And just building off those things. And of course we didn't always make the right plays during the game. Had some mistakes. So correcting those mistakes, moving forward and continuing to grow as a team, not only in the locker room, or out on the field but in the locker room as well.
FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports