Will Nico Collins’ return against Dallas?

This offense NEEDS a spark and Nico Collins could provide it.

The Houston Texans were 4-1 when Nico Collins went down with a hamstring injury in week 5. Now they’re on the wrong end of a 3-game losing streak with the chance to embarrass themselves in front of the world on Monday Night Football against the Dallas Cowboys.

Rumor has it Collins is suiting up on Monday. And will that reignite an offense that’s looked like a parody since week 6? Hopefully so.

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C.J. Stroud’s numbers with and without Collins on the field are stark (per Next Gen Stats):

On the field: 151 dropbacks; 70.5 completion percentage; 8.5 pass yards/attempt; 7-2 TD-INT ratio; 107.0 passer rating

Off the field: 237 dropbacks; 57.9 completion percentage; 6.4 pass yards/attempt; 5-4 TD-INT ratio; 77.1 passer rating

While backups John Metchie III and Xavier Hutchinson have finally started to click with the offense, Collins, Stroud and running back Joe Mixon are the stars of this show. Without one of them, the offense just doesn’t have the same potential.

Unfortunately, Collins doesn’t play offensive guard, so the O-Line still needs to get it right, but having the all-star wideout back on the field will go a long way to healing the wounds.

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WR NICO COLLINS has 75+ rec. yards in each of his 5 games this season, with rec. TD in 3 of 5. Aims for his 4th in row on road with 85+ rec. yards.

Speaking of Mixon, his opportunities should improve with Collins back on the field as well.

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Texans running back Joe Mixon can become the fifth player all-time with at least 90 scrimmage yards and a rushing touchdown in seven of his first eight games of a season, joining Pro Football Hall of Famers Jim Brown (1958) and O.J. Simpson (1975) as well as Priest Holmes (2002) and LeSean McCoy (2011).

Now if Collins can catch some great passes from Stroud, and these two can catch some from Cooper Rush, all will be well in Texas once more.