Houston Texans Head Coach DeMeco Ryans Previews Challenging Cincinnati Bengals

Houston Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans spoke about the daunting challenge that awaits his team in Week 10 when Houston visits the Cincinnati Bengals.

Fresh off of the most electrifying win of his first season as Houston Texans head coach, DeMeco Ryans returned to the podium on Monday emphasizing the same principles as always.

Operate with a winning mindset, don’t take plays off, and continue to improve week after week.

Good to know Sunday’s 39-37 win didn’t change him.

Ryans looks on after a big play from cornerback Shaquill Griffin.  / © Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

The Texans stunned the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in a thriller that saw quarterback C.J. Stroud break the rookie record for passing yards in a game. His 470-yard, five-touchdown day was one of the best passing performances of the season and a catalyst for a tidal wave of hype.

Ryans hasn’t let it get to his head, and he seems adamant about ensuring the locker room is on the same page.

Week 9 was fun, but it’s over now. Week 10 is on the horizon, and that means an away date with the Cincinnati Bengals.

Don’t let their 5-3 record fool you, this team could very well bring home a Lombardi Trophy in a few months. Quarterback Joe Burrow struggled through the first half of the season with a lingering calf injury, hence the muted production and trio of losses.

Ryans said as much on Monday.

“I think Cincinnati is playing really good ball right now,” Ryans said. “Defensively, they’re playing good, attacking the ball, taking it away. Offensively, Joe Burrow has done a great job. He’s healthy, he has a lot of weapons around him, and he’s making great decisions with the ball.”

Cincinnati just beat the playoff-hopeful Buffalo Bills 24-18. Burrow looked great, but it was just another day at the office for defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo. He’s made a habit of turning elite quarterbacks into middling performances and while Bills quarterback Josh Allen played well, a fateful interception played a role in just 18 points being put on the scoreboard.

As good as Stroud was in Week 9 -- and could be in general -- getting shut down by the Bengals defense is not an indictment.

On the other side of the ball, Cincinnati is rolling. They’ve beaten Buffalo and the San Francisco 49ers to quiet critics and as Burrow’s ability to prance around returned, the rest of the offense followed suit.

“So an explosive offense, really attacking defense, guys are gonna get after, they fly around, they play ball the right way,” Ryans said. “Great coaches on both sides of the ball, so it’s gonna be a tough matchup for us.”

Bengals receiver Ja’Marr Chase’s status is uncertain for Sunday after landing on his back after a downfield target. Even so, the emergence of receiver Tee Higgins after a quiet first half makes Cincinnati dangerous. If they continue to play complementary football, Houston will have its work cut out for them.

Ultimately, Ryans is right. Sunday will be a tough matchup, and his Texans won’t be favored. Yet, they’re going to have to upset some team to make up for Week 8’s loss to the Carolina Panthers. Continuing the hot streak after Stroud’s big day sounds like a good place to start.