Joe Mixon, Stefon Diggs Excel in Debut as Texans Beat Colts 29-27

INDIANAPOLIS – Labeled as a Super Bowl contender, the Texans got off to a promising start to open the regular season.

The Texans defeated the Indianapolis Colts on the road, engineering a narrow 29-27 victory at Lucas Oil Stadium.

Here are five key reasons why the Texans are 1-0:

1. Pro Bowl quarterback C.J. Stroud was efficient in his first game of the year, completing 24 of 32 passes for 234 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptiojns for a 115.9 passer rating. He shook off some leaky pass protection as he was sacked four times and made some big throws downfield.

2. New running back Joe Mixon pounded the Colts with his punishing running style in his debut for the defending AFC South champions. He rushed for 159 yards on 30 carries and one touchdown, piling up yards and nearly breaking a few long ones as he averaged 5.3 yards per carry.

3. Pro Bowl wide receiver Stefon Diggs, acquired in an offseason trade from the Buffalo Bills, was a hit in his debut as he caught two short touchdown passes.

4. Imposing wide receiver Nico Collins caught six passes for 117 yards, including a 55-yarder and a key late third-down conversion to keep the clock moving as the Texans put the game away.

5. Texans kicker Ka’imi Fairbairn connected on all three of his field goals, hitting a long of 51 yards as he provided points when drives stalled out.

Aaron Wilson is a contributor to Sports Talk 790.