The Houston Texans’ first offensive drive went as well as head coach DeMeco Ryans could have hoped.
Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud capped the opening drive with a 2-yard touchdown pass to Nico Collins on Sunday against the Tennessee Titans. Houston’s drive lasted 11 plays, 69 yards and over seven minutes.
1️⃣2️⃣ DOIN’ HIS THING 🔥
📺: @NFLonCBS / @paramountplus pic.twitter.com/1iNmPxliqy
— Houston Texans (@HoustonTexans) January 5, 2025
Despite already earning the 4th seed in the AFC playoff, Houston opted to play its starters in the regular season finale in an attempt to improve after the 34-2 loss to the Baltimore Ravens, in which Houston failed to score an offensive touchdown.
Stroud finished the opening drive a perfect 6-for-6 with 50 yards and a touchdown. Collins hauled in four of the six passes for 32 yards and the score. Collins also surpassed 1,000 receiving yards on the touchdown catch.
Collins becomes the first Texans since Brandin Cooks to have back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons.
Running back Joe Mixon contributed five carries for 23 yards and one reception for five yards.
Mixon crossed 1,000 yards on the ground, becoming the first Texan to do so since Carlos Hyde in 2019.
With a win, the Texans would secure their second 10-win season under DeMeco Ryans and Stroud.
Houston plays host to either the Los Angeles Chargers or Pittsburgh Steelers in the wild-card round next weekend.