The Texans can wrap up the AFC South on Sunday afternoon when they host the Miami Dolphins fresh off a bye.

As has been the case all year, question marks remain around DeMeco Ryans’ offensive line after starting left guard Juice Scruggs is officially sidelined with a foot injury.

Houston’s protection (or lack thereof) made life difficult for CJ Stroud in the pocket, but it didn’t stop Joe Mixon from rushing for nearly 900 yards and 11 touchdowns.

Mixon, traded from the Bengals in March, is on pace to post back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons. Although he has only played ten games, he is just two touchdowns shy of tying his career high.

As it turns out, Mixon’s season is also comparable to a Hall of Fame running back who just happened to spend most of his career in the great state of Texas.

Mixon’s seven games with more than 100 rushing yards and at least one rushing touchdown rank second among players to accomplish such a feat in their first 10 games of a season, second only to the only one, Emmitt Smith.

🏈Joe Mixon has played 7 games with more than 100 rushing yards and more than one rushing touchdown so far this season.

🏈This is the second most such plays by a player in his first 10 games of a season since 1950, trailing only Emmitt Smith (8 in 1995).

– Will Kunkel (@WillKunkelFOX) December 13, 2024

The Texans’ offense was under fire all season as they struggled to produce consistent scoring.

As a result, Mixon’s breakthrough has fallen somewhat by the wayside, but it could be the difference in whether Houston advances past the divisional round later in the playoffs.

This week, Mixon will face a stout Dolphins defense that has allowed the sixth-fewest rushing yards all season. Miami gives up just 4.3 yards per carry and held Jets running backs Braelon Allen and Isaiah Davis to less than 100 yards combined in last week’s overtime win.