JJ Watt, Houston Texans
Getty
Former Houston Texans player J.J. Watt looks on during a ceremony inducting him into the Texans Ring of Honor.
C.J. Stroud and Nico Collins capped the Houston Texans’ first offensive drive on “Monday Night Football” against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in a fitting fashion, coming off their letdown in Week 1 against the Los Angeles Rams, and JJ Watt took note.
Collins drew five targets in Week 1, finishing the Texans’ 14-9 loss to the Rams with three receptions for 25 yards.
By the end of their first series in Week 2, Collins and Stroud had social media buzzing.
Texans Icon JJ Watt: Nico Collins ‘Most Underrated WR’ in NFL
Nico Collins, Houston Texans
GettyNico Collins #12 of the Houston Texans celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Stroud and the Texans went 64 yards in six plays on that first possession, taking an early lead over the Bucs on Collins’ score, which officials initially reviewed to ensure he came down with it inbounds.
The review was warranted, as reactions like Watt’s underscored.
“Nico Collins most underrated WR in the league,” Watt said in a post on X during the game on September 15.
The Bucaneers answered with a touchdown of their own on the next series, but it is as good a start as Collins and Stroud – and head coach DeMeco Ryans and offensive coordinator Nick Caley – could have hoped for.
Nico Collins Expected to Deliver vs Buccaneers
Nico Collins, Houston Texans
GettyNico Collins #12 of the Houston Texans looks on before the game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
A Pro Bowler in 2024, Collins’ slow start made waves, but the former No. 89 overall pick of the 2021 draft remained unwavering in his confidence just one game into a 17-game regular-season slate.
Collins said “anybody” could play with him and Stroud, and noted that an offense is always going to be better when its playmakers are involved.
The Texans’ offense stagnated after their field goal. Going back to the well could be a key.
Andre Johnson Preaches Patience With C.J. Stroud, Nico Collins
Andre Johnson, Houston Texans
GettyFormer football player Andre Johnson walks the field pregame before the Houston Texans face the Indianapolis Colts.
Watt is not the only Texans great who appreciates what the team has in Collins and Stroud as a duo. Hall of Famer Andre Johnson also has faith in the combination going forward and expects they will improve with more reps together.
“I know for me, when I was playing, me and [Matt] Schaub talked a lot. And it was just certain routes, and plays I would be like, ‘Hey, man. If you see somebody sitting in there, I’m gonna just break my route off, and those are the different things you just learn with time and just consistently doing reps over and over,” Johnson told Wilson on September 13.
“A lot of that stuff has to come between him and C.J. And I think, … with time, those things will happen.”
Notably, Collins said that he and Stroud also have non-verbal cues with one another. But his TD grab showed they can still win with pure talent and will, too.
Johnson’s confidence extends to the Texans’ offense as a whole.
“I say it’s his first time really out there in it, and it’s not a preseason game. So, it’s his first time really out there, and there’s live bullets flying,” Johnson told Wilson. “I don’t think C.J. would say he played great. But I think just to see him out there moving around – and we gotta also make sure we protect them better – but I think with time it’ll get better and better.”
Stroud and the Buccaneers trailed 14-10 at halftime, with the third-year QB completing 61.5% of his passes for 131 yards, 1 TD, 0 interceptions, and 1 sack.