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Five keys to Texans’ road win over Colts as Joe Mixon, Stefon Diggs excel in debut for new team

Texans start off season 1-0 with 29-27 road win

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - SEPTEMBER 08: Joe Mixon #28 of the Houston Texans celebrates after scoring a touchdown in the fourth quarter of the game against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium on September 08, 2024 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images) (Justin Casterline, 2024 Getty Images)

INDIANAPOLIS – Labeled as a Super Bowl contender, the Texans got off to a promising start to open the regular season.

The Texans defeated the Indianapolis Colts on the road, engineering a narrow 29-27 victory at Lucas Oil Stadium.

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Here are five key reasons why the Texans are 1-0:

1. Pro Bowl quarterback C.J. Stroud was efficient in his first game of the year, completing 24 of 32 passes for 234 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions for a 115.9 passer rating. He shook off some leaky pass protection as he was sacked four times and made some big throws downfield.

2. New running back Joe Mixon pounded the Colts with his punishing running style in his debut for the defending AFC South champions. He rushed for 159 yards on 30 carries and one touchdown, piling up yards and nearly breaking a few long ones as he averaged 5.3 yards per carry.

3. Pro Bowl wide receiver Stefon Diggs, acquired in an offseason trade from the Buffalo Bills, was a hit in his debut as he caught two short touchdown passes.

4. Imposing wide receiver Nico Collins caught six passes for 117 yards, including a 55-yarder and a key late third-down conversion to keep the clock moving as the Texans put the game away.

5. Texans kicker Ka’imi Fairbairn connected on all three of his field goals, hitting a long of 51 yards as he provided points when drives stalled out.

Aaron Wilson is a Texans and NFL reporter for KPRC 2 and click2houston.com.


About the Author
Aaron Wilson headshot

Aaron Wilson is an award-winning Texans and NFL reporter for KPRC 2 and www.click2houston.com. He has covered the NFL since 1997, including previous stints for The Houston Chronicle and The Baltimore Sun. This marks his 10th year covering the Texans after previously covering a Super Bowl winning team in Baltimore.

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