Joe Mixon's first game as a Texans was one to remember.
It was so good, he was named AFC Offensive Player of the Week.
Mixon rumbled for 159 yards on 30 carries in Sunday's road win at Indianapolis, scoring a touchdown in the process. The veteran running back, who was traded to the Texans from Cincinnati this offseason, also caught three passes for 19 yards.
As quick as he was at eluding tackles and bursting upfield Sunday, Mixon was also quick to dish credit out to the blocking that sprung him loose.
"We were running downhill, sideways, doing whatever we needed to do to crease them and make the most of the runs," Mixon said. "But man, shout out to the fullbacks, tight ends, and o-line and receivers that were blocking. Without them, it wouldn't be possible."
At the half, Mixon was well on his way to a good afternoon on the ground: he carried nine times in the first 30 minutes of gametime for 55 yards. But after the intermission, he hammered away at Indianapolis defense, rushing 21 more times for 114 yards. Many of those runs came when the Texans needed to burn the clock, and the Colts knew it.
"He stepped up big time for us," Head Coach DeMeco Ryans said. "We needed him to run the ball. He did. They knew it was run, we knew it was run and he still made the play."
Wide receiver Stefon Diggs, who caught a pair of touchdowns in his Texans debut as well, thinks Mixon is just getting started.
"He can crease at any time," Diggs said. "He breaks tackles. In my opinion, he's got a lot more in the tank. He missed a little bit of camp. So, I think he's getting his legs back, but he's on board, and I think we're going to see a heavy dose of Joe Mixon."
Mixon and the Texans host the Chicago Bears this Sunday night at NRG Stadium. Fans in attendance are encouraged to wear white and show up well in advance of kickoff.
