There was a little doubt about what Joe Mixon would bring to the Texans as a productive runner and receiver out of the backfield.
But then there were the intangibles the veteran brought after the Texans acquired him from Cincinnati this offseason. Texans coach DeMeco Ryans had an idea after coaching against Mixon for years, but he is getting to see it up close now that they are on the same side.
“I think Joe brings confidence,” Ryans said to the Defender this week. “He brings confidence, he brings an energy, a swagger to our offense.
“The way he works at practice each and every day, guys feel that swagger, they feel that confidence, the energy that he brings. And that means a lot when you’re handing the ball to a guy who is as confident as ever. It means a lot to the offensive line, it gives them confidence to block a little longer, finish a little stronger and that’s just everybody around him feels the energy that he provides.”
The fans and the entire NFL got to see exactly what Ryans was talking about during Mixon’s debut with the Texans this past weekend when he rushed for 159 yards and a touchdown for 5.3 yards per carry in the 29-27 win over Indianapolis. He also caught three passes from C.J. Stroud for 19 yards.
But even bigger than his production was the leadership and unselfishness he provided to an offense that was working in two new explosive players for the first time. Mixon, 28, wasn’t at all surprised to hear his coach talk about the swagger he brings to the table.
“That’s always been me. That ain’t never changed,” Mixon said after Wednesday’s practice. “I’ve always had that in me since I was 12 years old. I lead by example and I’m seen as a leader on and off the field. I do whatever I have to do for my teammates to follow and be successful.
“At the end of the day, I’m here to be the best teammate possible and be the best player possible and uplift my teammates when they need it.”
So far so good for the former Pro Bowler, who became expendable to the Bengals after seven seasons despite being a consistent 1,00-yard rusher.
The Texans were underwhelming in their rushing attack last season. But it was quite obvious during the season opener that things had changed. Mixon helped the Texans outrush their AFC South rival 213 yards to 104 yards.
Mixon was especially effective picking up tough yards late in the game, scoring on a three-year run with 13:41 remaining in the fourth quarter.
“I think people start to get out of the way,” said Ryans, whose team is set to make its home debut against the Chicago Bears in a Sunday Night Game. “They don’t want to tackle, I wouldn’t want to tackle Joe that many times.
“You see just the physicality that he brings, and he presents and you team that up with how our tight ends were blocking physical on the edges, our receivers blocking physical on the edge, we want to be a physical football team, but you got to go show it each and every week.”
Mixon finished on Sunday with 178 yards of offense, which was the most combined yards by a Texans running back since Lamar Miller compiled 178 yards against the Colts in 2016. The 159 yards on the ground was the sixth-best performance in franchise history and he became just the third player to run for at least 100 yards in his Texans debut and the first since 2016.
For his efforts, Mixon was named the AFC Offensive Player of the Week. The former second-round pick out of Oklahoma was pleased to learn he had won the honor, but he quickly turned into a team honor.
“That’s lit but that’s more accolades for my (offensive line), for the entire offense, the receivers and tight ends. They did a big part of that,” said Mixon, who is listed as 6-foot-1 and 220 pounds. “Without them, we wouldn’t be in this position so I’m just grateful that I’m over here with a bunch of dawgs and they are doing whatever they can to make me look good.”
Without question, Mixon is a key piece to what is being considered one of the most explosive offenses in the NFL this season. Stroud, the AFC Offensive Rookie of the Year last season, now has what he considers a five-headed monster at his disposal.
Texans general manager Nick Caserio and Ryans went out this offseason and acquired star receiver Stefon Diggs and Mixon for an offense that already had Pro Bowl receiver Nico Collins, talented second-year receiver Tank Dell, and tight end Dalton Schultz.
The offense totaled 417 yards against the Colts while winning the time of possession battle 40 minutes to 20 minutes. But Mixon sees a lot to improve on.
“We’ve got a lot of room to grow as an offense,” he said. “What we did on Sunday was like scratching the surface. I think we’ve got a lot to build. On each and every week we are going to get better and do whatever we have to to be successful.
“If we are sharing the ball like we did Sunday, as long we are taking care of the football, I think we are going to be very very dangerous. I look forward to it.”
