Death, taxes and Nico Collins going off against the Indianapolis Colts.
That seems to be the norm these days for the fourth-year Houston Texans receiver after another 100-yard outing Sunday afternoon at Lucas Oil Stadium.
“Nico might not like them or something,” receiver Tank Dell said Monday following a 29-27 win over the AFC South rival. “I don’t know. Nico’s got something against them.
“He just makes plays all over the field.”
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Collins, the Texans’ go-to target in 2023, has established himself as one of the top emerging talents after posting career numbers en route to a division title. But something is different when No. 12 straps up to play Indianapolis in a divisional matchup.
Back in the day, Houston was pulverized in showdowns against the Colts because of T.Y. Hilton. Regardless of Andrew Luck’s status, No. 13 was the lucky charm on offense, totaling double-digit catches and over 100 receiving yards per outing.
Collins has returned the favor. Over his last three games, the 6-foot-4 nightmare of the Colts’ nation has caught 22 passes for 458 yards & two touchdowns.
On Sunday, he led Houston with seven catches for 117 yards, including a critical reception on third-and-11 during the Texans’ final drive.
“Nico Collins has no flaws in his game,” Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud said following Wednesday’s practice. “And he’s a great teammate. He loves his teammates and he’s just somebody I love to work with every day. And I’m really proud of him, I tell him that all the time.”
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Stroud isn’t wrong. After missing 10 games his first two seasons, Collins put together a flawless third year with career-highs in catches (80), receiving yards (1,297) and touchdowns (8).
In Week 18’s win over Indianapolis, Collins caught nine passes for 195 yards, including a 75-yard touchdown on Houston’s first offensive play. His 458 yards mark a record for a Texans player against one team over a three-game period.
Earlier this offseason, he was rewarded a three-year, $72.75 million extension.
“Every dollar that we’re paying him, he deserves every single cent,” Stroud said. “So, I’m very excited to be a part of his career and see what he’s going to do in the future.”
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Collins turns 50/50 balls into 70/30 catches that lean in his favor. Plays like the 55-yard reception in the second quarter against double coverage have become second nature and a common theme to the former Michigan star’s game.
Stroud knows Collins can be that security blanket downfield in critical moments. He could be that Sunday evening when Houston takes on the Chicago Bears on primetime at NRG Stadium.