Texans Take Home Victory in Season Opener Against Colts

Source: Joe Mixon #28 of the Houston Texans celebrates with Nico Collins #12 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. (Michael Hickey/Getty Images)

The Houston Texans will start their 2024-25 campaign off at 1-0 after defeating divisional rival, the Indianapolis Colts , 29-27 Sunday at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis .

While Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud looked a little rusty at times, including nearly turning the ball over on a few occasions, the second-year signal caller completed 24 of his 32 passes. He managed to rack up 234 passing yards and threw two touchdowns to the team’s new star wide receiver, Stefon Diggs .

Diggs’ numbers don’t jump off the page, as the veteran wideout pulled in six receptions for only 33 yards, but his two touchdowns kept Houston ahead of Indianapolis, including his score from the 2-yard line on a critical fourth-and-goal play with under five minutes remaining in the fourth quarter. Diggs hadn’t had a touchdown in a game since Week 11 last season.

Source: Nico Collins #12 and Stefon Diggs #1 of the Houston Texans celebrate after a touchdown score in the second quarter of the game against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium on September 08, 2024 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Michael Hickey/Getty Images)

The Texans’ new running back, Joe Mixon , had a stellar performance in his first game in Houston’s backfield. The former Pro Bowler racked up 159 rushing yards on 30 carries, including scoring his 50th career NFL touchdown . This was Mixon’s third-highest rushing output in a single game.

Stroud praised the roles Diggs and Mixon played during the team’s win over the Colts, noting how they affected the game beyond what the box score shows:

“They are two great leaders,” Stroud said. “They were constantly on the sideline, picking guys up, telling everybody we just need to be better. I definitely think both those guys having big games will definitely just keep us trending up. Once you set a standard, everybody else kind of falls to that standard and wants to follow that. So I definitely love those guys, and love what they’ve been doing, and I think they’re just getting started.”

Source: C.J. Stroud #7 of the Houston Texans throws the ball as Isaiah Land #55 of the Indianapolis Colts applies pressure during the second half at Lucas Oil Stadium on September 08, 2024 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Justin Casterline/Getty Images)

Texans wide receiver Nico Collins had a great performance as well. He caught six passes for 117 yards, including a spectacular 55-yard catch over two Colts defenders.

Texans kicker Ka’imi Fairbairn was perfect in the season debut, going three-for-three on field goals, including a 51-yard kick to save a few stalled drives.

On the other side of the field, Colts second-year quarterback Anthony Richardson showed off his throwing power by unleashing a 60-yard bomb to wide receiver Alec Pierce , who ran it in for a touchdown. It was Richardson’s first game back after an injury to his AC joint cut his rookie year to just four games last season.

Richardson ended the day with 212 passing yards on 9-of-19 passing, 56 rushing yards on six carries, two passing touchdowns and an interception. Overall it was a positive game for the young quarterback, despite the loss and a few mistakes.

Source: Indianapolis Colts Quarterback Anthony Richardson (5) passes during the NFL game between the Houston Texans and the Indianapolis Colts on September 8, 2024, at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Michael Allio/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Pierce had the best game of his career, as he finished his day with 125 receiving yards and a touchdown on just three receptions.

Colts running back Jonathan Taylor had a quiet day until a touchdown late, with just 48 yards rushing against 16 carries.

It seemed as if the Lucas Oil Stadium field was not up to par for an NFL football game. Stroud and Richardson slipped on multiple occasions while dropping back. Despite the poor field conditions, both teams put on quite the show.

The Texans return to the field Sunday for their home opener against the Chicago Bears , who are coming off a win over the Tennessee Titans . The game kicks off at 7:20 p.m. at NRG Stadium , on NBC .

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