Texans wide receiver Nico Collins sets franchise playoff receiving yardage record, passing DeAndre Hopkins: ‘A blessing’

HOUSTON – Nico Collins somehow became a mere afterthought in the offensive game plan during a dismal start for the Texans’ offense on Saturday as he wasn’t targeted at all in the first quarter.

The Pro Bowl wide receiver made up for lost time as he was heavily involved after the quiet beginning to the game.

Collins caught a go-ahead 13-yard touchdown pass on a slant pattern in the second quarter and the Texans never trailed the Los Angeles Chargers again in a 32-12 victory Saturday at NRG Stadium.

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And Collins surpassed former Texans Pro Bowl wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins’ franchise playoff receiving yardage record in the process, catching seven passes for 122 yards and one score on eight targets. Hopkins had 118 yards in a 2019 divisional round loss to the Kansas City Chiefs.

Nico Collins didn’t have a single target in the first quarter Saturday. It turns out he didn’t need one to set a Houston Texans playoff record.

“It’s a blessing,” Collins said. “D-Hop, that boy is special man. Him and ‘Dre, (Hall of Fame wide receiver Andre Johnson). So, it’s great to be past that. Them two dudes, I still watch ‘until this day. I’m always looking to improve my game and continue to get better and keep aiming for the stars. There’s no roof on the ceiling. I got to continue to grow keep making plays for the team.”

Despite missing five games with a pulled hamstring and spending four weeks on injured reserve before being designated for return and getting back on the field against the Dallas Cowboys, Collins managed to catch 68 passes for 1,006 yards and seven touchdowns.

Before his leg injury, Collins was on a torrid pace to finish the season with over 100 catches and 2,000 receiving yards.

Since his return, Collins has resumed his role as the Texans’ go-to guy on offense with Stefon Diggs and Tank Dell out for the season with knee injuries.

“Nico, like I told you, was born out the womb great,” Stroud said. “Nobody knew it but his pops and his mom. That dude right there, he’s really elevated himself as an NFL No. 1 receiver. He shows that week in and week out. I’m just so happy for that guy.

“I think this is just the start for him as well. Another 1000-yard season. He’s still hungry for more and he’s in here every day working on his body. I know he’s hungrier than ever. I’m happy for him. Super blessed to be a part of his journey. He’s another brother of mine.”

Collins wasn’t fazed by his lack of involvement at the start of the game.

“We just stuck to the script, keeping our heads down,” he said. “Not everything is going to go smooth. We kept our composure, kept going, stayed on task.”

Before the touchdown, Collins beat Kristian Fulton off the line and was wide open on a 37-yard reception. That set the stage in the red zone for Collins’ touchdown against the NFL’s top-ranked red zone defense.

The pass from Stroud had plenty of zip and the passing tandem combined for their eighth touchdown collaboration of the season.

“Just a slant,” Collins said. “Defense gave us the right coverage for it, 7 seen it. We executed it and got in the paint. We take it one play at a time and not make the moment bigger than it was.”

Aaron Wilson is a Texans and NFL reporter for KPRC 2 and click2houston.com