INDIANAPOLIS – The new members of the Houston Texans offense shined in their debut as running back Joe Mixon and wide receiver Stefon Diggs combined for three touchdowns in Sunday’s 29-27 win over the Indianapolis Colts.

Mixon had his third-highest rushing output of his career in a single game, rushing for 159 yards with one touchdown. Diggs caught six balls for just 33 yards but scored two touchdowns, one of them on a crucial fourth-and-goal play at the Colts’ 2-yard line with 4:45 left in the fourth quarter.

Texans coach DeMeco Ryans called the offensive performance of Diggs and Mixon “everything” for Houston, as the duo scored all of the team’s touchdowns in Week 1.

“These guys can step up and make plays in any situation,” Ryans said after the game. “When you can count on these guys to make plays, that’s huge for our team, not just offensively, but what they’ve done for our entire team.”

Mixon ran well against every defensive effort the Colts threw at Houston. He ran for 88 yards against a light box, 34 yards against a neutral box and 37 yards against a stacked box. Mixon said he told the offensive line earlier in the week, “Let’s get 150 yards to start.”

“We have 159 points and we just have to keep getting better and keep evolving,” Mixon said. “(Texans general manager) Nick Caserio made some great moves in the offseason. I’m just happy to be on that side … Stefon and I were able to complement each other the whole game and were all in. We looked each other in the face and said, ‘Brother, let’s do it.'”

Texans quarterback CJ Stroud, a Pro Bowler in his rookie year, started his sophomore year completing 24 of 32 passes for 234 yards and two touchdowns, extending his interception-free streak to 230 attempts.

Both of Stroud’s touchdowns went to Diggs, and both came on either the third or fourth attempt, as Stroud had a 129 passer rating when targeting the All-Pro receiver.

The 2023 Offensive Rookie of the Year called Mixon and Diggs’ debut “huge” for Houston.

“They’re two great leaders. They were constantly on the sidelines supporting the guys and telling everybody we just have to get better,” Stroud said. “I’m sure the great play from those two guys will definitely keep us moving up. Once you set a standard, everyone else adjusts to that standard and wants to follow. So I definitely like those guys and love what they’ve done and I think they’re just getting started.”

This was Diggs’ first game with a touchdown since Week 11 of last season when he was a member of the Buffalo Bills. It was also his first multiple touchdown performance since Week 4 of this season.

“It’s satisfying to play receiver,” Diggs said. “From training camp on, I’ve worked my ass off to be a captain and lead the team. I’m alongside guys that do that too, like Joe and CJ. In the moments when they rely on you, it’s because they trust you in those big moments. Fourth down, money on the floor, trust one.”