'Meaningful Football' Isn't The Only Goal For Texans Coach DeMeco Ryans

With all the success the Texans have found this season with new coach DeMeco Ryans and rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud, the ultimate goal is still far away.

Behind the heroics of backup quarterback Case Keenum, the Texans are fresh off a big 19-16 overtime road win over rival Tennessee, even as the Titans were trolling the Houston fanbase with throwback Oilers uniforms. The win puts Houston firmly in the playoff hunt, just one spot out of the postseason bracket at No. 8 in the AFC.

Much of the credit for the 8-6 record goes to both new coach DeMeco Ryans and rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud. 

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"It's a great position that we're in, and it's a credit to our guys and the work they've put in to put us in this position," Ryans said.

With all of the regular-season success the team has seen, the goal is much bigger than a win total or Stroud's passing stats. Ryans added, "When it comes to first place and all those things for us, we just focus on the moment."

The win over the Titans was big, but it's just a step to the bigger goal.

"It's exciting for everyone to be playing meaningful football around this time," Ryans said. "That's always the goal every year... is to make the playoffs."

Injuries Deny Texans 'Past vs. Future' Matchup vs. Browns

Houston beat Tennesee with an injury-reduced roster. The Texans were missing five starters plus rookie wideout Tank Dell, who's done for the season. Stroud missed the game and is still in concussion protocol. Ryans indicated he would know more about the status of Stroud, wideout Nico Collins and defensive rookie standout Will Anderson, Jr. later in the week.

Houston has remaining matchups against a playoff-hungry Browns team, a rematch against the Titans, and the Colts.