Joe Mixon

The Texans made some history in Kansas City on Saturday.

Mixon carried the ball 18 times for 88 yards and a touchdown and caught two of three targets for 12 yards in Saturday's 23-14 divisional-round loss to Kansas City.

Pierce was held without a catch on one target. An impressive 2022 rookie who badly regressed as a sophomore, Pierce never threatened trade acquisition Joe Mixon's 2024 touch domination. He had an opportunity when Mixon missed Weeks 3-5 with an ankle injury, but Pierce was sidelined with a hamstring issue of his own. Pierce caught two balls all season, and failed to reach 10 touches in a contest until the resting Texans' exhibition-style Week 18 win over the Titans. That's where Pierce generated 60 percent of his 2024 rushing gains thanks to a 92-yard house call. Although Pierce is signed cheaply for 2025, we wouldn't assume he merely finishes out his rookie deal as the unquestioned No. 2.

A survivor of multiple hip-drop tackles, 28-year-old trade acquisition Mixon crossed the 1,000-yard rushing threshold for the fifth time despite missing Weeks 3-5 with an ankle injury. Somewhat surprisingly the engine of the Texans' offense all season, Mixon stacked up ridiculous workloads as slumping sophomore QB C.J. Stroud and OC Bobby Slowik tried to figure out what to do with each other. As always, Mixon was not efficient -- he averaged 4.1 yards per carry and was middle of the pack in rush yards over expected -- but he was tough and productive. He always got what was blocked. Guaranteed $4 million for 2025, Mixon will be back as the Texans' lead back, though they could look to upgrade Dameon Pierce in the No. 2 spot.

The Texans have largely controlled today's game today in Kansas City.