Texans’ Stefon Diggs and Joe Mixon Shine in Victory Effort

In a thrilling debut for the Houston Texans, running back Joe Mixon and wide receiver Stefon Diggs electrified the field, leading the team to a 29-27 victory over the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday. The duo combined for three touchdowns, showcasing their potential impact on the Texans’ offense.

Mixon made a significant contribution with 159 rushing yards, marking his third-highest single-game total. He also added a touchdown to his impressive performance. Meanwhile, Diggs recorded six receptions for 33 yards but significantly impacted the game with two touchdowns, including a pivotal fourth-and-goal play from the Colts’ 2-yard line with just 4:45 left in the fourth quarter.

Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans praised Diggs and Mixon, stating their offensive showing was vital for Houston. “Those guys can step up and make plays no matter what the situation is,” he remarked after the game. “When you can count on those guys to make plays, it’s huge for our team, not just the offense, but what they did for our entire team.”

Mixon excelled against various defensive strategies employed by the Colts, running for 88 yards against a lighter box, 34 yards against a neutral formation, and 37 yards when faced with a stacked defense. He had set a personal goal of reaching 150 rushing yards for the game and was pleased to surpass it. “We got 159 and we just got to keep getting better and keep building,” Mixon expressed. He acknowledged the efforts of general manager Nick Caserio, stating, “I’m just glad to be on this side. Me and Stefon were able to complement each other, and we were on it all game.” The chemistry between the two was evident, as they motivated one another throughout the match.

Quarterback C.J. Stroud, in his second year and a Pro Bowl player as a rookie, contributed significantly by completing 24 of 32 passes for 234 yards and two touchdowns, while extending his interception-less streak to 230 attempts. Both of Stroud’s touchdowns were directed towards Diggs, and impressively occurred on crucial third or fourth downs. His passer rating when targeting Diggs soared to 129.

The 2023 Offensive Rookie of the Year voiced his excitement about the debut performances from Mixon and Diggs. “They are two great leaders. They were constantly on the sideline, picking guys up, telling everybody we just need to be better,” Stroud said. He noted that strong performances from star players set a standard for the team and affirmed his belief that this was just the beginning for Mixon and Diggs, who both have the potential to drive the team’s success moving forward.

For Diggs, this game marked his first touchdown since Week 11 of the previous season when he was with the Buffalo Bills, and it was his first multi-touchdown performance since Week 4 of that same year. “It’s gratifying from the receiver position,” Diggs commented. He reflected on the hard work he put into training camp, aiming to be a leader on the team. Diggs expressed a sense of trust between teammates during critical moments, noting, “In those moments when they lean on you it’s because they trust you in those big moments. Fourth down, money on the floor, trust one.”

The early success of the Texans’ new offensive stars signals a promising season ahead for the team. As they continue to build chemistry and improve their performance, the Texans are looking to make significant strides in the league.