DeMeco Ryans Keeps the Focus Forward
When it comes to the standings and a fluid playoff outlook, Texans coach DeMeco Ryans doesn’t allow his ultra-focused approach to waver. It’s an eye on the prize mentality built on day by day, week by week, game by game.
He doesn’t waste time counting victories. That makes sense, especially considering the Texans have won the past two AFC South division titles.
This year, they’re fighting to climb back into the divisional race.
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Texans in the Hunt
They’re on a two-game winning streak and 2-3 overall after losing their first three games of the season, in a surprisingly bad start.
The Indianapolis Colts, behind the Most Valuable Player candidate level play of quarterback Daniel Jones and star running back Jonathan Taylor, are atop the AFC South with a 5-1 mark.
The Jacksonville Jaguars, with a signature win over the Kansas City Chiefs under their belt, are 4-2 and have a stout defense.
The Texans?
They need a win in a pivotal Monday night road game against the Seattle Seahawks, another 4-2 squad, to even their record at 3-3.
There’s a lot of football left to be played, but this is a critical stretch for the Texans as they try to make the postseason for the third year in a row under Ryans’ leadership.
Ryans’ Mindset: Control What You Can Control
“That doesn’t creep into my mind at all about where the other AFC teams are, what their record is.” said Ryans. “It’s still early in the season. A lot of teams had a lot of really good starts to the season. But we all know, and it’s our focus, it’s all about how you finish the season. It’s all about how your team grows throughout the season. Just because you have a great start doesn’t mean it’s going to be a great finish.
“You just continue to work, control what you can control and you truly focus on one game at a time. That’s all that matters. You can’t focus on what the other teams are doing, the outcome of their games. It really doesn’t matter. It has nothing to do with how you go and play, how you go and prepare. You don’t do anything different because other teams are where they are record-wise. It’s truly focusing on us and getting better.”
Offensive Momentum Before the Bye
Over the past five quarters of football before their bye week, the Texans’ once-stagnant offense was no longer dormant.
With former NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year quarterback C.J. Stroud at the controls, the offense is clicking. Stroud has found a rhythm within new offensive coordinator Nick Caley’s game plan. And the running back tandem of Nick Chubb and rookie Woody Marks is hitting stride. The oft-criticized offensive line is improving rapidly, albeit against two 1-5 teams: the Baltimore Ravens and the Tennessee Titans.
Stroud’s Take on the Team’s Growth
“I think we’re starting to find our identity, being versatile,” said Stroud, the most accurate and highest-rated passer in the NFL over his past two games. ” A lot of guys touched the ball against Baltimore, I think that’s a good thing. So, some things we can keep up, keep up our tempo and getting out the huddle, just operational things is good. So, keeping all that stuff up.
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