Joe Mixon scores 3 TDs as Texans O-line steps up to 'challenge' - ESPN

ARLINGTON, Texas — Texans coach DeMeco Ryans called running back Joe Mixon «a force» after his three-touchdown performance in Houston's 34-10 win over the Dallas Cowboys on «Monday Night Football.»

Mixon did the heavy lifting for the Texans' offense as he scored all their offensive touchdowns and rushed for 109 yards. His three rushing touchdowns were the second most he's had in a single game in his career.

Mixon tied a Texans single-game record for rushing touchdowns, becoming the fourth player in franchise history to accomplish the feat. But Ryans and Mixon gave credit to the offensive line for paving running lanes for the former Pro Bowl back.

«Joe, when he's on, he's a force for us,» Ryans said. «The run game starts with our offensive line. I challenged them to play fast, play aggressive. I thought they did a really nice job. I really like the way we just kept churning it in the run game, and proud of the guys for stepping up to the challenge.»

According to ESPN Research, 79 of Mixon's 109 rushing yards came before contact, including him going untouched on his 45-yard rushing touchdown in the first quarter, which was the longest score of his career. This was Mixon's sixth straight game with a rushing touchdown, tying the longest streak in Texans history set by former All-Pro running back Arian Foster in 2011.

«I think everybody was dialed in on the game plan, and we came out here and executed for four quarters,» Mixon said. «It was a great thing to see the O-line pretty much go out there and impose their will… It was a time in the fourth quarter when the [offensive line] was like, 'Man, let's take it to these boys.' And I'm like, s--- I went to [Texans offensive coordinator] Bobby Slowik and 'I'm like, man, them boys