Is Nico Collins the Houston Texans WR1 and more Week 5 takeaways

The Houston Texans played division rival Jacksonville Jaguars. The low-scoring affair was not the most exciting game to watch, but some outstanding plays led Houston to their first win of the season, and their ninth straight win over the Jaguars.

What stood out in the Week 5 game, and what does Houston need to improve for the wins to continue this season?

Let’s take a look at three takeaways from this first win of the 2022 season, which was also the first win for Lovie Smith as the Texans head coach.

Texans RB Dameon Pierce Offensive ROTY?

Houston running back Dameon Pierce has taken expectations and blown through them though five games this season. Pierce is fantastic and his impact on the offense led the Texans to win the game.

Pierce has become the heart of the team and his ability to get yards after contact is second to none. Pierce ran for 99 rushing yards, with three receptions and one touchdown, in a must-win for the Texans.

Pierce had one of the best runs that turned the tides of the game as Pierce broke six tackles, that right, six tackles in one run rushing 20 yards refusing to go down. He came up just short of the end-zone, but Pierce continued that drive and ended up with the score on the next carry.

The rookie running back Pierce quickly became a leader for the Texans, and he thanked AJ Cann in his press conference postgame before commenting on his incredible run. Pierce may be the first piece of offensive success for the Texans. He is currently the all-time rushing leader through his first five career starts having 412 rushing years, and we are just seeing the beginning of the Pierce era in Houston.

Is Nico Collins the Texans WR1?

Nico Collins is now showing his true potential as a receiving threat. Rarely do you see a 6’4″ wide receiver that can get downfield and out muscle any defensive back he goes up against. Collins led the team with four receptions for 65 yards and looks like the real deal Houston fans have been hoping to see.

The offense targeted Collins and Brandin Cooks six times, while Cooks had only 20 receiving yards. So is Nico Collins the new wide receiver one for Houston?

The win against the Jags may be the beginning of the transition for Collins to take over as the new top receiving option in Houston. His ability to out-jump any defensive back is rare. His big reception, where he was getting grabbed but managed to hold the ball, was impressive, and only a few players in the NFL can come down with the catch.

Collins should be the number one receiving option from now on out and hopefully, those leading Houston can see the same.

Texans’ defense held up, but more is needed

Houston’s defense stepped up and held the Jaguars to only six points, the lowest they have had all season, and it’s fitting since Houston hasn’t lost to them since 2017. The Texans continued to dominate the division rival Jags and made Trevor Lawrence make terrible decisions, leading to two interceptions.

Derek Stingley had his first interception of his career, picking off Lawrence in the end zone, making a crucial play by saving a potential score. Houston held Jags running back James Robinson in check but struggled against Travis Etienne, allowing him to rush for 71 yards and 43 yards receiving.

Houston struggled to stop Marvin Jones, who caught seven receptions for 104 yards, but the Texans held Christan Kirk to only one reception for a season-low 11 receiving yards.

The Texans failed to record a single sack all game. The pass rush must step up. Houston is fortunate that Lawrence could not take advantage of the lack of pressure by the Texans’ front.

Still, if the Texans want to continue to win, the entire defense must improve, which begins with the pass rush, but they must improve tackling considerably.

Yes, the tackling was better than in previous weeks, but it needs to be elite if the team wants to hold opponents to low-scoring games to allow the offense to have a chance.