‘Handle Success!’ Houston Texans Coach DeMeco Ryans Calls Out Team Preparation

After a second last-minute field goal loss, the Houston Texans sit in a familiar position, and coach DeMeco Ryans sees that as a reflection of their preparation.

For a second time this season, the Houston Texans have experienced heartbreak.

No, Sunday's loss to the Carolina Panthers wasn't coach DeMeco Ryans' squad's first loss all season, and no, the Texans haven't gone unscathed injury-wise. But while four losses and numerous injuries certainly are hardships for the young team, losing by a last-second field goal counts as more than that. And it’s happened twice to Houston. 

Sunday's 15-13 loss was less than ideal, especially given that the Panthers hadn't scratched the win column all season, but up until about six minutes remaining in the fourth quarter, the Texans thought they might have had a win. 

Punting the ball back to Carolina up by one point, Houston needed a stop to keep their lead intact, ideally with enough time to either add to its own lead or run the clock out. But it never got the ball back. 

The Panthers marched the ball down the field and used all six minutes of time to set themselves up with a short field goal. Then one play later, they had their first win of the season. 

"They made plays," Ryans said. "Credit to Carolina. They executed at the proper times. A tight game like this comes down to those small details and executing when you get opportunities. We've just got to execute better all the way across the board."

Sep 10, 2023; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Houston Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans looks on against the Baltimore Ravens during the second half at M&T Bank Stadium / © Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports

The Texans had a lackluster offense Sunday, to say the least. C.J. Stroud had an efficient day, completing 16-of-24 passes for over 100 yards, but he couldn’t find the end zone through the air, and he outperformed all of Houston’s running backs combined. 

However you spin it, the Texans simply weren’t ready for what Carolina threw at them. It was the reason they were even in a tight game in the first place, and why the Panthers were able to use six minutes of crunch time to put together a game-winning drive. 

Ryans offered a solution for his team’s shortcomings, calling out their preparation ahead of the game. 

“We've got to learn how to handle success," Ryans said. "We have a young team. We're growing. As we continue to grow, we have to learn ... how to work after a win. We can't get too up in this league,” he added. "We have to remain consistent and put in the same work that [we do] when we've lost a game every single week."

Houston lost a heartbreaker for the second time this season. But now, it has the chance to bounce back and prove that it has what it takes to win after a loss, which starts with preparing the right way — win or lose. 

Facing the Tampa Bay Buccaneers will be its chance. And the Texans will be waiting.