Nico Collins nodded with authority, a bold confidence and unquestionable swagger toward the Tennessee Titans’ sideline.
The Texans’ star wide receiver definitely introduced himself to anyone who perhaps didn’t know his identity as one of the most dangerous downfield targets in the game.
When Collins took off on a sideline pattern for a 37-yard catch, he sparked the Texans’ offense. He also burnt Titans cornerback L’Jarius Sneed, the man who replied “Who?” days before kickoff when asked about his pending matchup with Collins.
Collins got the final word over Sneed, catching four passes for 79 yards on six targets in a 26-0 victory Sunday at NRG Stadium over the winless Titans.
“This one felt good,” Collins said. “We needed this one just to get our confidence, get our swagger back, man. Came out healthy, got the W, running fast, no better feeling.”
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When asked if there was any remaining doubt about Nico Who?, Collins laughed.
“Oh, 12,” Collins said as he said his jersey number. “It was fun. I respect No. 38 (Sneed’s number) over th4ere. It was a fun, good matchup.”
In advance of the game, Collins had more to say.
“He knows who I am, that’s crazy,” Collins said. “I don’t say much, I just play. You can talk all you want, I’m not hearing it. Just line that s– up.”
And they did.
And Collins came out on top. His big catch set up the Texans’ first red-zone touchdown of the season.
Sneed, who signed a four-year, $76.4 million deal with the Titans after being traded from the Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs last year, was accountable.
“It’s all good, we all get beat,” Sneed said. “He gets paid like I get paid. Shout out to him. He’s a great player.”
Embattled Titans coach Brian Callahan wasn’t a fan of the trash talking, though. Especially after the results.
“When you talk, you’ve got to back it up,” Callahan said. Didn’t do that today,” Callahan said. “That’s a decision a guy makes and he’s got to live with that, too. That’s on them.
“They want to talk, then you’ve got to back it up and didn’t do a good enough job of that today. That happens and that’s a personal thing for some guys.”
The Texans scored 20 points in the fourth quarter alone after a slow start on offense led to a 6-0 lead for most of the game.
Collins’ 37-yarder on a great throw from C.J. Stroud was an impactful moment. It converted a 2nd-and-33 from the Texans’ 18-yard line. From there, the offense got into a flow.
“Tytus (Howard) came up to me and was like, ‘Be happy bro, it was a big play.’ Then the sideline was turned up, that stuff will bring energy, big plays like that,” Stroud said. “Nico did a great job, I have a lot of respect for Sneed, he’s a good corner in this league, one of the best.
“I thought he and Nico battled, and he got over the top. Just tried to give him a shot. But big plays like that definitely give us energy that we need going forward.”
Aaron Wilson is a Texans and NFL reporter for KPRC 2 and click2houston.com