When the Houston Texans traded for Joe Mixon this offseason, many figured he’d be around for a one-year deal.
When the Texans inked him to a new three-year extension, there were some concerns. Most running backs dwindle with age, leading to regression in carries and explosive runs.
That memo hasn’t reached Mixon entering mid-November down off NRG Drive.
Mixon scored three touchdowns in a 34-10 win over the Dallas Cowboys on “Monday Night Football” at AT&T Stadium in Arlington. He finished 109 rushing yards and averaged 5.5 yards per play.
Joe Mixon scores his second TD of the first quarter!
📺: #HOUvsDAL on ESPN/ABC
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/VCbhNs0BOh— NFL (@NFL) November 19, 2024
“Joe, when he’s on, he’s a force for us,” Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said. “The run game starts with our offensive line. I challenged them to play fast, play aggressive. I thought they did a really nice job. I really like the way we just kept churning it in the run game, and proud of the guys for stepping up to the challenge.”
After Nico Collins’ 78-yard touchdown reception was called back on the opening play, Houston trusted its ground game. Mixon broke free for a 45-yard score, his second-longest run of the regular season to give the Texans an early 7-0 lead.
He also scored on a 2-yard run in the first quarter and a 1-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter.
Mixon, who finished 109 rushing yards, tied a Texans single-game record for rushing touchdowns, becoming the fourth player in franchise history to accomplish the feat.
“I think everybody was dialed in on the game plan, and we came out here and executed for four quarters,” Mixon said. “It was a great thing to see the O-line pretty much go out there and impose their will.”
The Texans also showed promise on the offensive line. C.J. Stroud completed 67.7% of his passes for 257 yards and an interception. He also was only sacked once and pressured three times.
Joe Mixon’s Monday Night hat trick!
22 touches
153 total yards
3 TDs pic.twitter.com/tCD7jSjlU3— NFL (@NFL) November 19, 2024
But Mixon scored the points, so he’s Week 11’s Player of the Week for Texans Wire. This marks the third time he’s taken home the title after putting up a league-leading 159 yards in Week 1 and 115 yards in Week 7.
The Texans return to NRG Stadium to take on the Tennessee Titans this Sunday at noon CT.
