'Game Ball To Everbody!' DeMeco Ryans, Young Houston Texans Continue to Impress

A second straight win for the Houston Texans was enough to put the professional football world on notice, but while Houston's found groove might come as a surprise to many, first-year coach DeMeco Ryans knew exactly what his team was capable of.

Standing in the locker room at NRG Stadium after the Houston Texans took the field against the Pittsburgh Steelers, first-year coach DeMeco Ryans looks around his gathered players in a circle. 

Ryans is in the center, the way he has been the last eight months of his life — though his time spent leading up to the regular season was a different form of center. This particular Sunday afternoon, Ryans is literally in the center of his players. 

Texans rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud stands to his right, proudly sporting the single-starred "captain" patch on his shoulder. As he watches his coach take in the scene around him, he seems to come to the same conclusion. His face shows that as does his upright posture — but Ryans says it first.

"This is what I envisioned Texans football to look like." 

Oct 1, 2023; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans smiles after a play during the third quarter against the Pittsburgh Steelers at NRG Stadium / © Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

On a day when one of the Texans' greatest players to ever play football was being honored with the highest franchise distinction possible, a lot was at stake. 

Besides J.J. Watt being in attendance, though, the Texans also were at home for just the second time this season and were coming off of their first win, which happened to be against an AFC South rival. If they wanted to keep their streak alive, they'd have to put their best foot forward against Pittsburgh. And they did. 

Stroud finished the game with 306 passing yards and two touchdowns. Houston's running backs combined for 139 rushing yards on 38 carries. Nico Collins added a pair of scores to his season stat line, while first-year Texan Dalton Schultz added one. Steven Nelson got an interception. Even Devin Singletary threw for a score. 

It was just that kind of day for Houston, though Ryans wasn't shocked in the slightest. Winning football was exactly what he pictured when he took the helm of the franchise, after all.

"Dominating up front," Ryans said to his team, beginning a list of all of the positives he noticed from the sideline. "Running the ball how we want to run the ball. Defensive line attacking, dominating the line of scrimmage. Swarming defense, explosive offense, and everybody excited about playing football. I love that." 

Since Ryans became the coach of the Texans, he's stressed the importance of team chemistry and possessing a desire to improve, which has been the driving force behind Houston's vast improvement from just a year ago. Sunday was no exception. 

"Everybody got better this week," Ryans said. "Keep it there. Keep it there. This is what our team can be. We've got greatness in this room. Let's keep going. Keep building. Keep leaning on each other. ... I love coaching you guys." 

Ryans has quickly become a fan favorite for Texans fans, but also to his own players. If you ask any of Houston's returners, they'd tell you — and have — that the first-year coach has brought a new energy to the locker room and to the team. 

Now, it's really beginning to show. Suddenly, the Texans' players and fans aren't the only ones who are noticing Ryans' squad's potential. And he knows it.

"[This is] just the start," Ryans said. "Keep grinding. I love you guys. 

"Let's get a game ball to everybody."

As the Texans continue their pursuit of a playoff spot at the end of the season, Stroud, Collins, Will Anderson Jr. and all of the young team's other stars will be of mass importance. That's obvious. 

But Ryans also will be. And he knows that, too. 

Up next for the first-year coach and company is a road trip to Atlanta, where the Texans will face the Falcons, looking for their third straight victory. Kickoff from Mercedez-Benz Stadium is set for 12 p.m. CST.