- Ryans led the Texans to the playoffs in his first attempt as a head coach
- Houston’s win over the Colts clinched a third postseason spot in six years
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After a dramatic victory that sealed a playoff berth for the Houston Texans, head coach DeMeco Ryans gathered his team for a special post-game speech.
Houston went to Indianapolis to take on the Colts in a winner-takes-all game that would seal the playoffs for the victor while the loser would be eliminated.
The Texans held on 23-19 after a dropped pass on a 4th-and-1 by the Colts that saw the team that picked second in last-year’s draft make the postseason.
‘Proud of the determination, man,’ Ryans, who made the playoffs in his first season as a head coach, told his players in the locker room after the game had ended. ‘You talk about determination. Pure grit. Everybody fight to the last play. That’s what it’s about, man.
‘And we punched our ticket. Hey, now everything starts right? Everybody 0-0 right now, all we want is opportunity. Opportunity.
DeMeco Ryans delivered a special post-game locker room speech after the Texans won
C.J. Stroud helped the Texans win 23-19 over the Colts and clinched a spot in the playoffs
A jubilant Texans locker room celebrated their accomplishment after the game was won
Ryans was able to take his former team to the playoffs in his first attempt as a head coach
‘We got our op. Now what do we do with that op? We go take advantage of the op again. No doubt about it.
‘Love you guys, man. This is a huge accomplishment, man. First time organization been to the playoffs since 2019. All right? Again, nobody matter… it doesn’t matter what people say on the outsides about the men in this room. Continue to believe in each other, continue. To fight every single snap.
‘We got special people in this room. This is a special group of men. Believe it. Continue to lean on each other. Continue to trust in each other. We can go as far as we want to go.’
The Texans’ second-overall pick, quarterback CJ Stroud, led the way on offense with 264 yards and two touchdowns on 20-of-26 passing.
Houston’s defense allowed 360 yards, but also played a big part in preventing Indianapolis from getting crucial points.
At 10-7, the Texans await the results of tomorrow’s other AFC South game between the Jacksonville Jaguars and the Tennessee Titans. A loss by the Jaguars would mean Houston wins the division for the third time in six years.
