Tag: Joe Mixon 2024

Recap: Texans RB Joe Mixon scores 2 TDs in blowout win over Patriots

The Houston Texans improved to 5-1 for the first time since 2012 after securing a 20-point win over the New England Patriots

How do you like them apples?

Joe Mixon returned to his Pro Bowl form with a 102-yard rushing performance while scoring two touchdowns as the Houston Texans bested the New England Patriots, 41-21, at Gillette Stadium.

With the win, the Texans join the 2012 roster as the only team in franchise history to begin the season 5-1. That season, Houston started 11-1 before securing a division title at 12-4.

Fully healthy, the Texans could surpass the marker with 13 wins.

Mixon, who missed three games with an ankle injury, proved he was back at full capacity during the second quarter when he broke free for a 57-yard gain. The former Bengals star found his way into the end zone on a 10-yard touchdown pass from C.J. Stroud.

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Stroud might have thrown an interception during the second quarter, but he also threw three touchdown passes to coast out to a 21-7 lead entering the third quarter.

Stefon Diggs took over as the new No. 1 target with Nico Collins on the injured reserve, hauling in a team-leading six catches for 77 yards and a score.

Tank Dell, who last season served as Houston’s No. 2 weapon during his season, posted a season-high seven receptions for 57 yards and a touchdown in the first quarter.

The Patriots offense finally found life behind Drake Maye, the No. 3 overall pick in last year’s NFL draft. After failing to score more than 20 points in four of their first five games, New England scored a season-high 21 points thanks to three touchdown passes from the North Carolina product.

Maye finished 20 of 33 for 243 yards and rushed 38.  He was intercepted twice, sacked four times and caught up a fumble that led to Diggs’ touchdown.

Houston’s secondary will need work, but the pass rush was potent. Will Anderson Jr. recorded three sacks, improving his season total to 5.5. Pro Bowl counterpart Danielle Hunter striped-sacked Maye during the opening drive of the third quarter, leading to a 14-point swing in favor of Houston.

Pressure from the front seven led to success on the back end. Maye overthrew DeMario Douglas and was intercepted by Calen Bullock. Later on, Anderson popped a pass in the air, which landed in the arms of Eric Murray.
Mixon wasn’t the only running back making highlight plays in his return.

Dameon Pierce, who missed four games with a hamstring injury, ripped off a 54-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter to extend Houston’s lead to 20.

Peirce finished with 76 yards and averaged 9.5 yards per run.

The Texans remain on the road next week as they travel to Lambeau Field to take on the Green Bay Packers at noon CT.

Texans receive boost on the ground with return of RB Joe Mixon

Joe Mixon is back for the Houston Texans on Sunday afternoon.

Joe Mixon is back for the Houston Texans.

According to NFL Network’s Ian Rappaport, Mixon is cleared and will play in Sunday’s matchup against the New England Patriots. The Pro Bowl running back has been out since suffering an ankle injury in Week 2’s win over the Chicago Bears.

Mixon, who inked a three-year extension after being traded to Houston from Cincinnati this offseason, got off to a hot start, rushing for 159 yards and a touchdown in a 29-27 win over the Indianapolis Colts in Week 1.

He was named the AFC Offensive Player of the Week and led all players in total yards with 178.

But Mixon was sidelined for three weeks after Bears linebacker T.J. Edwards used an illegal hip-drop tackle to bring him down. While Edwards was fined for the hit, Mixon took the brunt of the impact with the injury.

“I was the No. 1 leader in rushing. I was stopped because of that weak-ass hip-drop tackle,” he told reporters Thursday. “I can’t do nothing about that. It’s frustrating, it is what it is. I want to be out there more than anybody.”

When healthy, Mixon remains the Texans’ top rusher. He leads the team in yards but a decent amount over Cam Akers, who currently has 148 yards.

Akers is averaging nearly a yard fewer (3.9) than Mixon (4.7) through five games.

The return of Mixon is a welcomed one after the Texans lost star receiver Nico Collins to the injured reserve. Collins, who leads the NFL with 567 receiving yards, pulled his hamstring last week in the Texans’ 23-20 win over the Buffalo Bills.

Kickoff is scheduled for noon CT.

Will Texans RB Joe Mixon be ready for Week 6 matchup vs. Patriots?

Joe Mixon could be suiting up for the first time in three weeks this Sunday for the Houston Texans.

Joe Mixon finally appeared on the injury report with a positive outlook for the first time in three weeks.

The Houston Texans starting running back was listed as questionable for Sunday’s matchup against the New England Patriots after practicing Friday afternoon. This marks the second consecutive day of training, meaning there’s a likelihood that Mixon could travel with the team and suit up at Gillette Stadium.

Fellow running back Dameon Pierce will play after missing the previous four games with a hamstring injury. He was a full participant in practice the past two days.

Mixon will have to pass all tests leading up to the game, meaning the training staff will have the final say on if he’s cleared to play. Still, it’s progress. Mixon has barely practiced since suffering an ankle injury in Week 2’s win over the Chicago Bears.

Chicago linebacker T.J. Edwards was fined for using an illegal hip-drop tackle technique during the third quarter of Week 2’s matchup on Sunday night football. Edwards continued to play while Mixon was sidelined for three weeks.

Entering the matchup, the former Cincinnati Bengals star led the league with 159 rushing yards and 178 total yards. He was essential in helping Houston secure a win on the road against the Indianapolis Colts.

“I’m just going to keep on working, and when it’s time to be out there, I’m going to do what I’ve got to do to show I’m the best on the field,” Mixon said Thursday. “It’s as simple as that.”

Even if Mixon were to return, New England’s been one of the better teams defending the run. They enter Sunday under first-year coach Jerod Mayo boasting the seventh-best run defense while holding 4.2 yards per carry,

“They’re going to make you earn it,” Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said.  “They’re going to make you – they’re going to strain. They’re going to make you really work to get points against this defense. So, despite their record, I can see [Mayo’s] imprints all over this team with their physicality, their mindset and the way they’re playing football.”

With Mixon absent, Houston has relied on the combination of Dare Ogunbowale and Cam Akers. Since Week 2, the Texans have averaged just 77 rushing yards per game.

Kickoff at noon CT.