Joe Mixon dodged a defensive player and dragged another into the end zone for a 14-yard touchdown. It was one of his highlights in another big performance for the Houston Texans.
When asked to describe the game, Mixon smiled before answering.
“That’s how we play Texans football,” he said.
Mixon rushed for 102 yards in addition to the touchdown, helping the Texans defeat the Indianapolis Colts 23-20 on Sunday.
In his first season with the Texans, following a trade from the Cincinnati Bengals, Mixon became the first player in NFL history to amass at least 100 rushing yards and a rushing touchdown during in four of his first five games with a team.
The only time Mixon failed to reach 100 yards and score a touchdown this season was in the second week of play. At that point, he had missed almost the entire second half with an ankle injury that kept him sidelined for the next three games.
“I’m in my element. I’m in my zone, in all honesty, he insisted. It’s a very good thing that I can do everything I can to carry the team on my shoulders.”
CJ Stroud had 285 passing yards and bounced back from his career-worst game, just 86 passing yards, in a loss to the Green Bay Packers last week.
The Texans (6-2) took the opportunity to increase their lead at the top of the Southern section of the American Association.
“He made good decisions with the ball the whole game,” Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans said of Stroud. He kept us away from bad plays. I can’t say enough good things about CJ and how he runs this offense. I’m very proud of him.”
The Texans defense intercepted a pass from Anthony Richardson and pressed him the entire game. The Houston squad swept the seasonal series of two duels against the Colts (4-4) for only the second time in its history.
The Colts appeared to have taken the lead with about three minutes left when Mixon fumbled the ball and defensive end Dayo Odeyingbo recovered it.
Odeyungbo ran 84 yards for a touchdown to make it 27-23. The sequence was revised and the touchdown was overturned because Mixon was on the ground when he lost the ball.
The Colts were unable to advance the ball after this play and had to punt following a Danielle Hunter sack of Richardson on third down.
The Indianapolis team regained the ball at the end of the game, but Richardson was once again the victim of a sack by Hunter. The quarterback then saw his desperation pass miss one of his receivers.
Richardson completed 10 of 32 passes for 175 yards. He threw a touchdown pass, but was sacked five times and hit eight more times.
“We have to continue to work,” said Colts head coach Shane Steichen. Anthony has a good work ethic. He perseveres through these things. It’s a process. It’s not about one player, it’s about the team. That’s still the case.”
Jonathan Taylor carried the ball 20 times for gains of 105 yards and a major for the Colts. He was returning to play after missing the last three games with a sprained ankle.
