Tag: Texans Wire Player of the Game

Texans Wire Player of the Game: RB Joe Mixon

Houston Texans running back Joe Mixon put up a hat trick during Monday Night Football’s showdown against the Dallas Cowboys.

When the Houston Texans traded for Joe Mixon this offseason, many figured he’d be around for a one-year deal.

When the Texans inked him to a new three-year extension, there were some concerns. Most running backs dwindle with age, leading to regression in carries and explosive runs.

That memo hasn’t reached Mixon entering mid-November down off NRG Drive.

Mixon scored three touchdowns in a 34-10 win over the Dallas Cowboys on “Monday Night Football” at AT&T Stadium in Arlington. He finished 109 rushing yards and averaged 5.5 yards per play.

“Joe, when he’s on, he’s a force for us,” Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said. “The run game starts with our offensive line. I challenged them to play fast, play aggressive. I thought they did a really nice job. I really like the way we just kept churning it in the run game, and proud of the guys for stepping up to the challenge.”

After Nico Collins’ 78-yard touchdown reception was called back on the opening play, Houston trusted its ground game. Mixon broke free for a 45-yard score, his second-longest run of the regular season to give the Texans an early 7-0 lead.

He also scored on a 2-yard run in the first quarter and a 1-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter.

Mixon, who finished 109 rushing yards, tied a Texans single-game record for rushing touchdowns, becoming the fourth player in franchise history to accomplish the feat.

“I think everybody was dialed in on the game plan, and we came out here and executed for four quarters,” Mixon said. “It was a great thing to see the O-line pretty much go out there and impose their will.”

The Texans also showed promise on the offensive line. C.J. Stroud completed 67.7% of his passes for 257 yards and an interception. He also was only sacked once and pressured three times.

But Mixon scored the points, so he’s Week 11’s Player of the Week for Texans Wire. This marks the third time he’s taken home the title after putting up a league-leading 159 yards in Week 1 and 115 yards in Week 7.

The Texans return to NRG Stadium to take on the Tennessee Titans this Sunday at noon CT.

Texans Wire’s Week 9 Player of the Game: WR Tank Dell

Tank Dell recored his first 100-yard game of the 2024 season on Thursday Night Football against the New York Jets.

In a heartbreaking loss, someone has to stand out.

On Thursday night, that was Houston Texans second-year receiver Tank Dell.

Dell secured season-highs in receptions (six) and receiving yards (126) as the Texans fell at MetLife Stadium to the New York Jets, 21-13.

While the former third-round pick never found his way into the end zone, Dell got his groove back after an underwhelming beginning to the season.

Over three hours, the former No. 2 target proved his No. 1 threat potential for C.J. Stroud in the absence of Pro Bowler receiver Stefon Diggs and go-to option Nico Collins.

Dell averaged 22 yards per catch. He caught three passes over 20 yards downfield, including a 50-yard reception midway through the third quarter to get the Texans down at midfield.

Outside of Dell, Stroud had little to work with in the passing game. Dalton Schultz and Robert Woods combined for 65 yards on catches. Five others were targeted but never recorded a reception.

Dell came close to securing his third touchdown reception of the regular season, but All-Pro cornerback Sauce Gardner was flagged for a pass interference call. Stroud never connected with Dell again on the drive, but Houston managed to score on a 3-yard touchdown run from Joe Mixon.

Diggs, who suffered a torn ACL in the third quarter of Sunday’s game against the Indianapolis Colts, is out for the year. Collins, who’s been on the injured reserve with a hamstring injury, should be back in time for Week 10’s matchup against the Detroit Lions on Sunday Night Football.

Houston needs a secondary option and Dell showed his rookie season was more than a one-hit wonder. Last year, the Houston product totaled 47 catches for 709 yards and seven touchdowns in 11 games.

After Thursday’s performance, Dell has collected 30 receptions through eight games. He now has 355 yards and two touchdowns.

For Dell’s rebounding performance against one of the NFL’s better secondaries, he’s Texans Wire’s Player of the Game for Week 9.

He joins Mixon, Diggs, Collins, kicker Ka’imi Fairbairn, defensive end Danielle Hunter and linebacker Neville Hewitt as a recipient of the weekly honor.

Texans Wire’s Player Of The Game: RB Joe Mixon

For the second time in three games, Joe Mixon rushed for over 100 yards en route to a Houston Texans’ win.

Maybe losing Nico Collins wasn’t a death sentence for the Houston Texans’ offense.

Maybe Joe Mixon is just getting warmed up.

Mixon, who missed three games with an ankle injury, seemed to prove that he’s not slowing down after a seven-year run with the Cincinnati Bengals after rushing for 102 yards and a touchdown in Sunday’s 41-21 win over the New England Patriots.

The 2021 Pro Bowler also tacked on 30 receiving yards and scored on a 10-yard touchdown pass from C.J. Stroud in the first quarter.

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“He’s got great vision, hits it as hard as he can, just a great feel for the game, a great feel to set his blocks up,” Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud said. “When our O-line is blocking the way they did and he’s setting up blocks, it’s a recipe for success.”

While Cincinnati believed Mixon’s best days were behind him, Houston has been reaping the benefits of a newfound spark in the 28-year-old. Sunday marked Mixon’s second 100-yard rushing performance in three games and second outing with at least 130 total yards.

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After what looked like a slow start, Mixon broke free in the second quarter with a 57-yard run to set up Houston inside New England’s 20. He also turned on the jets in the third quarter to go untouched for a 20-yard touchdown.

“I felt a big weight off my shoulders,” Mixon said. “Missing time and going out there with my brothers, going out there competing and obviously trying to do whatever we can to come out with the dub. It’s a hell of a feeling. I know the player that I am and I’m just happy that I’m able to showcase that right now.”

As a unit, the Texans averaged 6.9 yards per attempt. Mixon averaged 7.8 yards and 4.3 yards after contact. He was leading the NFL in rushing yards before suffering an ankle injury in Week 2’s win over the Chicago Bears and ranked third in yards per attempt.

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Performances like Sunday’s leaves little doubt that the Texans’ offense isn’t among the league’s more explosive units when at complete strength.

“I’m just happy everybody trusted in the scheme and everybody’s technique,” Mixon said.

Since Mixon didn’t miss a beat in his return, he’s Texans Wire’s Player of the Game for Week 6 and joins kicker Ka’imi Fairbairn as the only other multi-recipient of the award.

The Texans travel to Lambeau Field to take on the Green Bay Packers in Week 7 at noon CT.