NFL Review: Texans are legit as they down Colts in opening game

The Indianapolis Colts extended their NFL record for the longest ongoing winless streak on opening day to 11 games, as they lost to the Houston Texans at Lucas Oil Stadium 29-27 in a thrilling AFC South divisional match up. The game showcased CJ Stroud and Anthony Richardson, with both quarterbacks starting their second year with statement plays!

In an offensive showdown the two big addictions to the Texans, Stefon Diggs and Joe Mixon were essential in keeping them in the game and helping them fend off the Colts’ effort. On the side Richardson had an impressive outing as he came back from injury to show everyone the sparks he had last season and why he is the franchise QB. 

Here are the many key takeaways from the first week matchup.

CJ Stroud continues his ascension

He continues to impress and wow everyone, as the game progressed he was continuing where he left off last season. In the zone! He completed 24 of 32 passes for 234 yards and two touchdowns, and made some big plays including converting a 4th-and-1 with a pass from his knees and launching a 55-yard pass to playmaker Nico Collins from his own 28-yard line.

Those were of the many highlight reel plays that Stroud did in the game, as his ability to manage the game effectively, especially in critical moments, was pivotal for the Texans. Stroud demonstrated poise under pressure and made key throws, including a crucial fourth-down touchdown pass to Stefon Diggs towards the end of the game, which helped secure the victory.

The reigning Rookie of the Year was starting to look more like Patrick Mahomes as he was scrambling from his pocket and making plays out of nothing. Whilst it’s only one game, Stroud looked like a contender for MVP in this game. Head Coach DeMeco Ryans is placing a lot of trust in his QB and his faith is being repaid in bunches.

The ‘Joe Mixon game’

It would not be fair to only highlight Stroud’s impressive game as he was the only one to impress. The former Bengals running back had a dominant debut game for the Texans as he rushed for 159 yards and a touchdown on 30 carries and also ended the game to ensure victory.

Mixon played a traditional game today as his rushing on the day was one of the, if not the biggest reason why they won. He was the heart of the Texans offence and its MVP today. He was the reason they were able to control the game, and the reason their time of possession was 40 minutes in contrast to the Colts’ 20 minutes. 

Mixon’s performance was one of the best in his career, he was unstoppable against one of the better defences which struggled to contain him. Not only was his stats good, but he was able to shift momentum in the game. His three-yard touchdown in the fourth which helped extend the Texans’ lead to 22-20. This touchdown was pivotal, as it came during a critical moment in the game when momentum was shifting. His ability to punch it in from close range demonstrated his effectiveness in short-yardage situations, an area where the Texans needed reliability. 

Texans will hope that Mixon toner setting performance will be something he continues as they’ll need to rely on him to alleviate pressure on Stroud and maintain a balanced offensive approach. If Mixon can continue this level of play, he will not only bolster the Texans’ chances of success in the AFC South but also solidify his role as a key player in the team’s future endeavours of reaching a Super Bowl.

DeMeco Ryans’ trust

It seems to be a dying art, bringing the field goal unit on 4th down. Head Coach of the Texans DeMeco Ryans in the game was very trusting of his offence on 4th down. While the Texans did knock down a couple of field goals in the first half. Ryans demonstrated his trust in the offence by making bold play calls, especially in critical situations. 

Faced with a critical decision late in the fourth quarter, the Texans’ head coach opted to go for it on fourth-and-goal from the 2-yard line instead of taking a short field goal to extend their two-point lead. Stroud connected with Diggs for a touchdown that proved vital, especially as the Colts responded with a touchdown drive on the next possession. This wasn’t the only instance where Ryans took an aggressive approach.

The Texans successfully converted another fourth down (2 for 2) during their first drive at midfield, eventually resulting in a field goal. Just before Mixon’s first-down run, which sealed the game, the Texans converted another key play on third-and-11, with Stroud finding Nico Collins along the sideline right after the two-minute warning. Houston could have chosen to force the Colts to burn their timeouts, but they executed a well-timed play instead. While Ryans’ aggressiveness wasn’t always successful (with a failed two-point attempt in the second quarter), his late-game decisions were instrumental in securing the win.

Anthony Richardson performance: A lot to build on

Anthony Richardson showcased both his potential and areas for growth. His performance in the season opener highlighted his arm strength and big-play ability, key factors in the Colts’ offensive strategy. Richardson completed 9 of 19 passes for 212 yards, including two touchdown throws that exceeded 50 yards.

One of his standout moments came on a 60-yard connection with Alec Pierce, where despite slipping on the turf, Richardson maintained composure and delivered a strike. This demonstrated not only his impressive arm but also his ability to execute under pressure.

Richardson’s dual-threat capability was on full display as well, as he added 56 rushing yards and a 3-yard rushing touchdown. His athleticism allowed him to evade defenders and extend plays with his legs, making it harder for the Texans’ defence to predict and react. This versatility adds an extra dimension to the Colts’ offence, allowing for more varied and unpredictable play-calling.

However, Richardson’s performance was not without its challenges. His accuracy was inconsistent, completing just 47.4% of his passes. One of the game’s pivotal moments came when he threw an interception in the red zone, a costly turnover that denied the Colts a scoring opportunity. This highlighted the need for better decision-making and composure under pressure, aspects of his game that still need refinement.

Despite these setbacks, Richardson demonstrated resilience. After a slow start, he bounced back with key plays that kept the Colts in contention. His deep passes and rushing touchdown helped energise both the team and the fans, showing that he has the potential to lead the offence effectively. His ability to handle adversity and make crucial plays when needed is a promising sign of his leadership potential.

Post-game, Richardson acknowledged the need for ongoing improvement, stating his commitment to continually evaluate and develop his game. This mindset will be crucial as he navigates his rookie season in the NFL. His willingness to learn from both successes and mistakes bodes well for his future, as growth will be key to his development as a young quarterback.

Colts struggle in the run game

Whilst the Texans enjoyed success on the ground, for the Colts it was not the same. Star-running back Jonathan Taylor struggled to get any type of rhythm as he finished the game with only 48 rushing yards on 16 carries, averaging just 3.0 yards per attempt. This marked a stark contrast to his previous performances against the Texans, where he had consistently found success. Taylor’s longest run of the day was merely seven yards, indicating that he struggled to break free for significant gains and was often met by defenders at or behind the line of scrimmage. 

Even though the score says the game was close, it was inconsistent with their offence. This includes their inability to establish a consistent running game that severely hampered the Colts’ offensive rhythm. With the Texans effectively shutting down Taylor, the Colts were often forced into predictable passing situations. This predictability allowed the Texans’ defence to focus on pressuring rookie quarterback Anthony Richardson, making it difficult for him to find a rhythm and connect with his receivers.

With the Texans limiting Taylor, it contributed to a significant time of possession discrepancy. The Texans controlled the ball for nearly 40 minutes, running 76 offensive plays compared to the Colts’ 43. This imbalance not only limited the Colts’ offensive opportunities but also wore down their defence, which was forced to spend extended periods on the field. The Texans’ ability to sustain drives through a successful ground game further exacerbated this issue, as they consistently gained first downs and kept the Colts’ offence side-lined.

What’s next?

For the Texans, they move to 1-0 and atop the AFC South with Jacksonville Jaguars and Tennessee Titans losing as well. They will head home to NRG Stadium and have their home opener against the 1-0 Chicago Bears led by 1st overall pick Caleb Willams.

While the Indianapolis Colts move to 0-1 and will travel to Lambeau Field to face the Green Bay Packers who are also 0-1 after they lost to the Philadelphia Eagles in the first NFL Brazil games in Sao Paulo. The Packers will be without QB Jordan Love after he suffered an MCL sprain.