In terrible losses, one must celebrate the little victories.
The Houston Texans can rejoice knowing that Pro Bowl running back Joe Mixon was worth trading for this offseason after missing out on several high-profile options in free agency.
They can rest easy knowing that locking him up on a three-year, $27 million back in March was wise. That asking price would be astronomical if the two sides waited to negotiate midseason.
Joe Mixon is averaging over 100 yards and 1 TD per game this season
6 games
— The 33rd Team (@The33rdTeamFB) November 1, 2024
Mixon surpassed 100 yards for the fifth time this season in a 21-13 loss against the New York Jets, joining Jim Brown (1958), O.J. Simpson (1975), Emmitt Smith (1995) and DeMarco Murray (2014) as the only players in NFL history to record 100 yards and a touchdown in five of the first six games of the season.
The 2021 Pro Bowler finished with 108 yards on 24 carries and scored a 3-yard touchdown in the second quarter to give Houston a lead entering halftime.
“Joe has been great every game for us. I mean, every game Joe has touched the ball, he’s gotten over 100 yards and also Joe is going to find it, no matter how well it’s blocked or how not so well it’s blocked, Joe’s going to find his yards,” Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said. “Finds a way to get in the end zone. Joe’s relentless. He has that sense of urgency. We just need everybody else around him to play the same way.”
The #Texans leaned into run game with great success in first half – gonna need to do that more & consistently going forward
Joe Mixon is a monster.
24/106/1 TD pic.twitter.com/r0bTFbLmS5
— Shaun Bijani (@ShaunBijani) November 1, 2024
Mixon has a case for being a top-three runner in the league at the halfway point of the regular season. He’s only hit under the triple-digit marker once when healthy, which might have changed in Week 2 if the former Bengals star hadn’t left in the third quarter with an ankle injury that sidelined him for three games.
While he’s only played six games, Mixon enters the weekend top-five in rushing with 609 yards. His six touchdowns rank sixth-most among runners and he’s only four scores from the league lead.
Joe Mixon, better than advertised.
His sixth touchdown of the season pic.twitter.com/owhr5KMZX4 https://t.co/7a6MnaMqhk
— Chancellor Johnson (@ChancellorTV) November 1, 2024
Consistency has been Mixon’s best attribute this season. Even with a 50-yard outing against the Chicago Bears, he ranks third among runners in rushing yards per game (101.0) and fifth in explosive runs.
The Texans will need Mixon to continue that consistency when they return home to face off against the Detroit Lions on Sunday Night Football next week.