INDIANAPOLIS — The new members of the Houston Texans offense shined in their debuts. 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 career rushing output in a single game, as he finished with 159 yards with one touchdown. Diggs had six catches for just 33 yards, but finished with two touchdowns, one of which came on a crucial fourth-and-goal play from the Colts’ 2-yard line with 4:45 left in the fourth quarter.

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

“Those guys can step up and make plays no matter what the situation is,” Ryans said after the game. “When you can count on those guys to make plays, it’s huge for our team, not just the offense, but what they’ve done for our entire team.”

Mixon ran well against every defensive look 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 to start.”

“We’ve got 159 and we’ve just got to keep getting better and keep building,” Mixon said. “(Texans general manager) Nick Caserio made some great moves in the offseason. I’m just happy to be on this side of things … Stefon and I were able to complement each other and the whole game we were all in it. We were in each other’s faces and were like, ‘Bro, let’s do this.'”

Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud, a Pro Bowler in his freshman year, began his sophomore season completing 24 of 32 attempts for 234 yards and two touchdowns. He extended his interception-free streak to 230 attempts.

Stroud scored both touchdowns to Diggs, both coming on third or fourth down, with Stroud having a 129 passer rating as he targeted the All-Pro receiver.

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

“They’re two great leaders. They’ve been on the sideline all the time, picking guys up and telling everybody to just get better,” Stroud said. “I definitely think those two guys playing big games will definitely keep us on trend. Once you set a standard, everybody’s going to hold themselves to it and want to follow it. So I definitely love those guys, and I love what they’ve done, and I think they’re just getting started.”

It was Diggs’ first game with a touchdown since Week 11 of last season, when he was with the Buffalo Bills. It was also his first multi-touchdown performance since Week 4 of that season.

“It’s rewarding from the receiver position,” Diggs said. “From training camp, working your ass off to be a captain and lead the team. I’m standing next to guys that do that, like Joe and C.J. In those moments when they lean on you, it’s because they trust you in those big moments. Fourth down, money on the floor, just trust one.”