Nico Collins' Career Day Bodes Well for C.J. Stroud, Texans Offense

Texans third-year receiver Nico Collins tallied 146 yards and a touchdown Sunday — marking his career best — but despite his team losing, his performance brings promise for Houston moving forward.

Two weeks into the regular season, the Houston Texans now have just as many losses.

Sunday's loss held more weight than Houston's first one did due to the added pressure that came with facing a divisional foe, but for a squad coached by DeMeco Ryans — who's riding out his first season with the Texans — the impact was the all the same. 

"We did some good things," Texans veteran receiver Nico Collins said postgame. "We're going to watch the film and learn from it. It was a lot of little things." 

When Collins and company sit down to watch film from their 31-20 loss to the Indianapolis Colts, there will certainly be things to clean up. Offensive red-zone percentage. Getting off the field on third down. Even reducing turnovers and penalties. 

But they'll also notice the positives, which Collins headlined. Against the Colts, the third-year receiver tallied 146 total yards and a touchdown on seven receptions, which was enough to mark his career-best. 

Collins proved himself to be a strong target for rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud but also a playmaker in his own right, getting himself open downfield a plethora of times.

"[I] just went out there and played ball," Collins said. "That was my whole goal. To go out there, execute, and have fun. It didn't turn out the way we wanted it to, but it's all good. We'll watch the film and learn from it." 

Despite the Texans' loss, Stroud also showed major improvements from Week 1. His near-400-yard performance was a big testament to that, though it also helped that Collins was open as often as he was. Still, the receiver made sure to give his quarterback his flowers.

"C.J. did his thing," Collins said. "It's [only] the second game, but we're going to keep building as an offense. When we get in the red zone, we've got to score. We've got to put points on the board, 

As the Texans move on to face the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 3, not only will they have the pressure of earning their first win, but they'll also be looking to do so against another divisional rival.

While that won't be an easy task, Collins will certainly make things easier, and not just for Stroud, but for the entire Texans offense. He'l; be looking to replicate his performance from Sunday to next week, which as he said himself, is the point of the next six days. He just needs to put in the work.

"We'll continue to ... grow and build on [this week], Collins said. "But that's what this week is for. As wideouts, we just want to make plays. When the ball comes our way, it's an opportunity for us to [help] the offense." 

Nico Collins' next chance to help out Stroud's offense is Sunday against the Jaguars on the road. There, the Texans will continue their search for their first-season victory. 

Kickoff is scheduled for 12 p.m. CST.