DeMeco Ryans etched his name among some coaching legends with the Houston Texans’ win over the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 17.
Fittingly, Ryans was effusive with praise for his supporting cast, both present and those in spirit.
Ryans is one of six NFL head coaches since the 2000 season to make the playoffs in each of his first three seasons, per NFL Plus on December 27. That would not have been possible, Ryans said, without help in high places.
DeMeco Ryans Sends Strong Message After Texans Defeat Chargers
GettyC.J. Stroud #7 of the Houston Texans reacts after a touchdown against the Los Angeles Chargers.
Ryans and the Texans secured their spot in the 2025 AFC postseason field with the win. The third-year head coach opened his postgame press conference just as he does after every Texans game, by giving thanks to God.
“The light is shining bright on the Texans, but that light is really reflective of our guys’ belief in the Lord and Savior–our Lord and Savior–Jesus Christ. That’s what’s driven our team. And I’m so proud of our guys, and thankful to the Lord for allowing us to allow our lights to shine through him. And, just all praise and honor goes to him,” Ryans told reporters on December 27.
“Really proud of every person on this team and organization for putting us in a spot to go play in the playoffs. It’s what you play for. It’s what you work hard for throughout training camp. What you fight in the season for is for an opportunity all right to be in the playoffs and go win it all. So, we’ve earned that. It wasn’t given to us. Our guys went out and earned it, and we’re extremely proud of everybody for that.”
More than just himself, though, Ryans said that faith is teamwide.
He said that is why he was able to maintain his belief in the group, even amid their 0-3 start. They have since gone on an eight-game winning streak with one outing left.
“I’ve believed in this team because I know what these guys are about. I know how they work throughout training camp when nobody’s watching, I know how close our team got throughout training camp and throughout the season,” Ryans said.
“We just have guys who are true believers who are unwavering in their faith. Guys who come to work every single day, putting in work no matter what’s being said on the outside. Things that really don’t–it doesn’t matter to us. Our guys continue to work the right way. And that’s why I believe. Because I saw the work ethic that those guys pour into it. The coaches, players, staff, everybody pours their all into what we’re doing every single day.”
DeMeco Ryans Highlights Texans’ ‘Turning Point’
GettyDavis Mills #10 of the Houston Texans warms up before a game against the Buffalo Bills.
Ryans noted that the Texans’ season turnaround began several weeks ago, at a point when they could have been at their lowest, as quarterback C.J. Stroud was in concussion protocol for what would be a three-game absence.
“From my viewpoint, the turning point for our entire season, I go back to our Jacksonville game,” Ryans said. “For us to be down as far as we were in that game, and to have our backup quarterback, Davis Mills, right, to have such a clutch performance to get us into a position to win that game.
“That’s the game that flipped our season and just showed us, no matter what we’re up against, no matter who’s on the field, if we stay together, stay connected, we can overcome anything.”
That was in Week 10, and Ryans simply wants the Texans to understand their accomplishment.
“Congratulations to everyone, because you guys earned this,” Ryans said. “Getting into the playoffs is … not about an opinion or what somebody thinks. You have to earn your way into the playoffs, and our guys played winning football to get us in position to be in the playoffs.”
DeMeco Ryans Tips Cap to Chargers
GettyHouston Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans reacts against the Baltimore Ravens.
The Texans’ win cost the Chargers an opportunity to win the AFC West. Still, Ryans had nothing but kudos for his opponent on the day. That, though, served as further evidence of the Texans’ resolve.
“That’s a really good football team. Going against the Chargers, tough football team, really tough environment. So, it got pretty loud in here. Hard to communicate,” Ryans asserted.
“I like the way our guys continued to battle no matter what we faced. It’s just a good football game versus a really good playoff team, all right, who have a really great quarterback [Justin Herbert] who made some big-time plays for them today to allow them to stay in the game, all right. So, hats off to those guys for the way they showed up.”
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