HOUSTON — In their first matchup without standout receiver Nico Collins, the Houston Texans’ offense continued to thrive this past weekend, bolstered by the return of running backs Joe Mixon and Dameon Pierce.
The Texans flexed their strength with 192 rushing yards in a 41-21 victory over the New England Patriots, marking an impressive 5-1 record — their best start since 2012.
Collins missed the game due to a hamstring injury and has been placed on injured reserve for at least four games. However, the team welcomed back Mixon, who had missed three games due to an ankle injury, alongside Pierce, who returned after a four-game hiatus caused by a hamstring issue.
Mixon shined, carrying the ball 13 times for 102 yards and scoring a touchdown; he also contributed another touchdown with 30 receiving yards. Meanwhile, Pierce added a solid 76 rushing yards and a score, helping secure Houston’s third consecutive victory.
“Having Dameon and Joe back was monumental for us, providing a significant boost to our team,” coach DeMeco Ryans commented. “I’m thrilled to see them continue to contribute; the run game was impressive.”
Their performances highlighted a collective effort to compensate for Collins’ absence, who, despite sitting out, still leads the NFL among receivers with 567 yards.
“Once everyone embraced that challenge, we started to gain momentum. We didn’t dwell on Nico’s absence,” stated quarterback C.J. Stroud. “We focused on supporting each other, and it really paid off.”
Previously, the Texans had struggled in the running game due to the absence of their top two backs, averaging just under 78 yards rushing over the three games without them.
In contrast, both Mixon and Pierce made significant contributions on Sunday, with Mixon executing a notable 59-yard run in the second quarter and Pierce scoring on a 54-yard dash in the fourth.
“Those players have the ability to make plays happen,” Ryans highlighted. “They aren’t just doing what’s blocked for them. Special backs go beyond that, and we saw that with the explosive runs today.”
On the defensive side, the Texans forced a season-high four turnovers on Sunday after going without any takeaways in their previous three games. They managed to intercept quarterback Drake Maye twice and recover two fumbles.
Rookie Calen Bullock stood out, recovering a fumble and making his second interception of the season. The third-round draft pick from USC previously recorded nine interceptions during his college career, showcasing his reliability in big moments.
“Calen is always around the ball, just as he was in college, and that’s precisely why we drafted him,” Ryans said. “The game hasn’t overwhelmed him, and he’s consistently making significant plays.”
However, the Texans did face some inconsistencies offensively, scoring touchdowns on their first two drives, but then going scoreless on four consecutive possessions. Kicker Ka’imi Fairbairn missed a 40-yard field goal attempt, and Stroud had an interception on a tipped pass in the end zone.
The Texans managed to regain their momentum after halftime, but Stroud emphasized the need for consistent offensive execution moving forward.
Defensive end Will Anderson Jr. had a standout game against the Patriots, recording eight tackles, three sacks, and four tackles for losses — all career bests. He also tipped a pass that resulted in an interception in the fourth quarter.
Anderson now has 12.5 sacks in his first 21 games, ranking him second in franchise history during that span, behind J.J. Watt who recorded 13 sacks in 2011.
“He is improving every week, and this was by far his best performance,” stated Ryans.
On the other hand, cornerback Eric Murray had a mixed game; although he made an interception from Anderson’s deflection, he also faced penalties for pass interference and illegal use of hands on consecutive plays before New England scored their first touchdown.
In terms of injuries, the Texans faced some setbacks with linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair suffering a knee injury, and left tackle Laremy Tunsil aggravating an existing ankle issue. Linebacker Henry To’oTo’o is currently under concussion protocol following a hit sustained against New England.
A significant milestone for the Texans was their first win in New England, having lost their previous seven matches at that venue. “This victory means a lot to us,” stated Ryans. “Winning here in New England is special for our organization.”
Looking ahead, the Texans will travel to Green Bay next Sunday, aiming for their first four-game winning streak since 2018 when they put together nine consecutive wins. The Texans only have one victory in the series, which came in a 24-21 match in 2008.