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Houston Texans Secure Dominant Ground Game With Joe Mixon’s 1,000-Yard Breakout

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Table of Contents

The Making of a Workhorse

Acquired via trade from the Cincinnati Bengals in 2023, Running Back Joe Mixon immediately became a cornerstone of the Houston Texans' resurgence under head coach DeMeco Ryan. In 14 games during the 2024 season, Mixon rushed for 1,016 yards and 11 touchdowns, averaging 4.1 yards per carry. His performance, culminating in a Week 18 milestone against the Tennessee Titans, mirrored his 2019 Pro Bowl form with the Bengals and reignited Houston's offensive identity.

Collaborative Success: Scheme & Support

Offensive coordinator Nick Caley designed plays to maximize Mixon’s Versatility, combining his power and vision with a revamped offensive line. Rookie tackle Blake Fisher and veteran Guard Laremy Tunsil helped Houston rank 12th in run-blocking efficiency. This synergy allowed quarterback C.J. Stroud to thrive with play-action passes, balancing the offense with a 42% run-play ratio.

Houston Texans Secure Dominant Ground Game with Joe Mixon’s 1,000-Yard Breakout

Contract Incentives and Future Strategy

Mixon’s $27 million, three-year extension in 2024 includes $500,000 bonuses for rushing milestones and full guarantees for the first two seasons. While the deal reflects Houston’s confidence in him, it also allows flexibility to re-evaluate after 2025. Depth players Dameon Pierce (4.3 yards/carry) and rookie Jawhar Jordan add agility and versatility, positioning the backfield as one of the NFL’s most dynamic.

Challenges and Playoff Ambitions

Despite the success, 2025 brings tests against top defenses like the Kansas City Chiefs and Buffalo Bills. Mixon’s leadership and five-career 1,000-yard seasons (tying Derrick Henry) could be critical in Houston’s pursuit of its first AFC South title since 2019. Pairing his reliability with a defense ranked seventh in sacks creates a balanced blueprint for playoff contention.

Key Takeaways

Mixon’s resurgence validated his $27M extension and revived Houston’s rushing attack.
Improved offensive line play and play-calling diversity unlocked his dual-threat potential.
Houston’s blend of veteran leadership and young talent positions them to compete in a competitive AFC.