As the Texans head toward an unexpected postseason appearance with an unexpected name leading the offense, receiver DeAndre Hopkins has offered praise for the man who replaced $72 million quarterback Brock Osweiler.

Hopkins said that Tom Savage maintained a sense of humor and a steady demeanor throughout last Saturday’s game against the Bengals, despite plenty of adversity.

“Oh, yeah, that’s one thing about him that you have to love,” Hopkins said, via Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle. “He’s always even-keeled throughout. Even when he was getting sacked he would come back to the sideline he was the same guy. ‘Let’s go out and do better next drive.’ I didn’t see him get frustrated, and I don’t think anybody saw him get frustrated during that.”

Savage and Hopkins seem to have better chemistry than Osweiler and Hopkins. Since Savage took over, Hopkins has 11 catches for 130 yards. With Osweiler, Hopkins had a sluggish output as he has tried to prove to the team that a large second contract is warranted.

Though Brock Osweiler and DeAndre Hopkins were able to connect to seal the Texans' win, the two weren't able to do so for most of the game. Osweiler targeted Hopkins 13 times, but that was just the receiver's fifth catch of the day. The Jaguars were able to cover him well by having No. 3 overall pick cornerback Jalen Ramsey follow him all game.

“We’re not looking for connections, we’re looking for wins," HC Bill O'Brien said. "Whatever it takes to win the game, so if it involves 20 catches to Hopkins then great. I’m sure DeAndre will tell you the thing that he cares about the most is winning. So that’s what we’re trying to do. We’re trying to win these games the way we think they need to be won.”

The two connected on a 10-yard pass that pretty much clinched a win for the Texans, but overall Osweiler strugged to connect with the WRs. Osweiler once again went to his three tight ends often. The trio -- C.J. Fiedorowicz, Ryan Griffin and Stephen Anderson -- combined for seven catches for 40 yards and two touchdowns on 10 targets. The longest play was a 13-yard catch by Fiedorowicz.

Texans Inactives
Oday Aboushi G
Quintin Demps SS
Jonathan Grimes RB
Joel Heath DT
Keith Mumphery WR
Brian Peters LB
Brandon Weeden QB

Related players: DeAndre Hopkins, Will Fuller

Both Hopkins (hamstring) and Fuller (hamstring) will play in Week 7 against the Broncos in a tough matchup.

Houston Texans quarterback Brock Osweiler was brought in during the offseason in part to pair up with wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins, who had a monster 2015 season, despite catching passes from four different starting quarterbacks.

Although Osweiler and Hopkins have connected for two touchdowns, the Pro Bowl receiver’s stats are a far cry from the performance he put up the past season. Through the first quarter of the season, Hopkins has 17 catches on 33 targets for 227 yards. In the first four games last year, he had 31 catches and 60 targets for 409 yards and three touchdowns.

Although Hopkins had only one catch Sunday, he had six targets, which tied for second-highest on the team. So there is some good news. In the offseason, the two were looking good according to those who follow the team, so hopefully this is something that comes along with time, sooner than later of course.