Nico Collins has been great for a long time, even if he’s only approaching household-name status. In fact, according to quarterback C.J. Stroud, the Texans wide receiver has been great for 25 years and 194 days.
“I think Nico’s been great since he’s been born,” said Stroud after Houston’s 24-20 win Sunday over Jacksonville.
“He just needs his opportunity. I think, as he continues to grow, he’s going to continue to get better and better and grow.”
He got better on Sunday, posting 12 catches for 151 yards and a go-ahead, 3-yard touchdown reception midway through the second quarter. Collins caught four passes of at least 18 yards, none more important than his 26-yard reception on the game-winning drive to pierce Jaguars territory.
After halftime, Jacksonville (0-4) had forced punts on the Texans’ first four possessions. With Houston (3-1) down 20-17 with 2:36 remaining, Stroud showed the poise that led the Texans to a division title last season. Collins was impressed.
“We had to dig deep, really put our minds to it, really who wanted it more,” said Collins. “We were backed up, down by three and we knew we needed a touchdown. I feel like in that huddle, man, we’re talking to each other like, ‘Man, let’s go.’ This is what we train for. This is what we’re going out there practicing every day straining for out there in the heat. In these moments right here, it’s easy. We all lean on each other in the huddle and just take it one play at a time. Out there balling. Out there and got the dub. I feel like that was the most important for us.”
Stroud orchestrated a nine-play, 69-yard drive, completing all five passes for 45 yards, including the game-winning 1-yard touchdown pass to former Jaguar Dare Ogunbowale. Stroud finished 27 of 40 for 345 yards and two touchdowns.
It’s scary to think of how great the Texans would be if they weren’t leading the league in penalties, which didn’t go away Sunday. Officials walked off 93 yards on 12 Houston penalties. Guard Kenyon Green had three of those flags. Special-teamer Steven Sims, who muffed an early punt to set up Jacksonville’s first touchdown, also helped the Jaguars by committing unnecessary roughness.
“The penalties that bug me the most that we have to get off of our tape and off of our team is the mental penalties,” said head coach DeMeco Ryans after the game. “Those are the ones I can’t stand, and I can’t go for. We have to play smart. If we want to be a good football team, we have to play the game smart. We look at other teams around the league and we have meetings on these things, and guys just have to own up to it and be man enough to stand up and just play the game the right way.”