Both the Colts and Texans started the new season with plenty of reasons for optimism, and both offenses put on a show in Week 1 in Indianapolis. The Texans were slight favorites as they traveled to Indy to start the year with an AFC South matchup, and they escaped with a narrow, 29-27 victory.
The Texans had an excellent season last year in their first year under coach DeMeco Ryans with QB C.J. Stroud ($7,500; 18.66 FPTS) under center. This offseason, the front office looked to upgrade the offense by adding Stefon Diggs ($6,700; 21.9 FPTS) and Joe Mixon ($6,600; 29.8 FPTS). Both veterans had big games in their Texans’ debuts.
Diggs finished with only 33 yards on his six catches, but he scored two touchdowns, including this two-yard score which came on fourth down late in the fourth quarter to give the Texans a nine-point lead.
Diggs wasn’t the only newcomer to make a splash, though. Mixon took 30 carries and racked up 159 rushing yards and a touchdown while adding 19 receiving yards on his three catches. He doesn’t get extra style points for the celebration, but it was one of the best of the week.
While the Texans offense looked outstanding, their defense struggled with Anthony Richardson ($6,300; 27.08 FPTS), who gave the Colts and their fans plenty of reasons to be excited for the upcoming season.
Richardson threw for 212 yards and two touchdowns and ran for a touchdown and 56 more yards. He showed an especially strong connection with Alec Pierce ($4,000; 24.5 FPTS), who had two impressive long catches and finished with three catches on three targets for 125 yards and a touchdown. Pierce’s touchdown was a beautiful, 60-yard strike in the first half.
Richardson looked great in his return from injury and made big plays with both his legs and his arm throughout the game. DK Network’s Geoff Ulrich identified Richardson as his top High-Upside DFS Target at QB, and even pointed out Pierce too. He wrote, “Richardson is going to be highly owned but you can get creative by rostering him with lower-owned receivers like TE Kylen Granson ($2,900) or WR Alec Pierce ($4,000).”
Even after a loss, the Colts should be optimistic headed into their Week 2 matchup in Green Bay against the Packers, who will be without Jordan Love. The Texans are playing next Sunday night at home in what should be a great matchup against Caleb Williams and his 1-0 Chicago Bears.
All odds provided by DraftKings Sportsbook and all odds subject to change.
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