It has been a remarkable turnaround for the Houston Texans over the second half of the season. After starting 0-3, it seemed their disastrous offensive line would limit them entirely and keep them out of the playoffs for the first time under C.J. Stroud.
However, they have rallied on the back of an outright suffocating defense, paving the way for them to turn their season around and reach a 9-5 record. Facing the Las Vegas Raiders, they had a legitimate chance to take a serious leg up in the standings. Unfortunately, it wasn’t a great first half for the offense, with Nico Collins, in particular, struggling to get going.
What Happened to Nico Collins?
After a brutal schedule all year round, a game against the Raiders could naturally bring about some complacency from the roster. However, the offense for the Texans was a virtual no-show in the first half.
Adding just six points (a pick-six gave them a defensive touchdown), they totaled 82 yards through the air. Collins, their superstar wide receiver, was targeted six times. However, he could only bring in two receptions for 22 yards.
Even as the team held a 13-6 lead that might be enough to get them the win outright given the state of the Las Vegas Raiders, they had to be hoping for a better showing from Collins this close to the playoffs.
With the quarterback play a serious chore in Houston, it took until his third season, when he joined forces with a rookie Stroud for Collins to emerge as one of the best wide receivers in the league.
Putting together an electric campaign where he totaled 1,297 yards and eight touchdowns, he finished second on PFSN’s WR Impact. Last year, even as the offense took a step back overall due to the offensive line, he was still able to produce with 1,006 yards and seven touchdowns in just 12 games.
This year, he’s been a healthier version of himself, missing just one game all year long, as he’s crossed the 1,000-yard mark for the third consecutive season, with six touchdowns to go along with it, for an 11th-placed finish on WRi.
Now, with the team having a legitimate chance to make some noise in a wide open playoff field in the AFC, the hope from the Texans has to be that he can elevate the offense to the next level.
Editor’s Note: This is a breaking news story and will be updated throughout the day as more information becomes available.
