Houston Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans is direct in his message, and the situation after defeating the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 16 was no different.
The Texans won their seventh straight game, and they notched a 10th win for the third straight season under Ryans. And they have full control of their path to the postseason, despite starting the season 0-3.
If the Texans want to reach their goals, though, Ryans knows they must be sharper.
DeMeco Ryans: Texans Must Improve
GettyHouston Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans looks on against the Tennessee Titans.
Ryans was crystal clear that much of what ailed his team against the Raiders in the 23-21 home victory that, at one point, saw the fans in the stands boo the Texans’ offense, began up front.
“The main thing is we couldn’t run the football, right? We didn’t control the line of scrimmage how we needed to control the line of scrimmage. They got a lot of … tackles for losses, right? Knocked us back a few times, and we didn’t run the ball well,” Ryans told reporters during his postgame press conference on December 21
“On the flip side of that, they were able to run the ball effectively, and that was the difference in the game. We control the line of scrimmage better, and we can sustain drives a little bit better to be in better control of the game.”
The Raiders outgained the Texans on the ground and trailed in the pass game by fewer than 20 yards for a 317-270 edge in total yards on the night.
Naturally, Ryans also had some harsh truths for his defense.
“Overall, the defensive performance, it’s too many explosive plays. That’s not what we’re about. We got to clean up the communication. The tackling is not good. That’s not the defensive performance that we look for. And so, we have to play better.”
Texans Overcame Early Setbacks
GettyHouston Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans reacts against the San Francisco 49ers.
From injuries to inconsistency, the Texans have overcome a lot to reach their current point, and Ryans commended the group for doing so.
“I’m really proud of our team, right, for the adversity we faced at the beginning of the year. A lot of teams could have folded, but our guys didn’t. Our guys stayed the course. Our coaches stayed the course. We’ve adjusted some things, tweaked some things we need to tweak. That’s what you have to do,” Ryans said
“Our team has always believed. No matter how it’s how it looked at the beginning of the season, they’ve always believed. And today, went out and just showed, if you play the right way, you play with the proper effort right, you do the things necessary right, it’s just all about getting the win. Really, it doesn’t matter how it looks. It’s beautiful to get the win. I’m proud of our team for continuing to find ways to win. That’s always our goal.”
Ryans was grateful, but far from satisfied, about the Texans reaching 10 wins again.
“For us to be at 10 wins now for the third season in a row, I’m thankful. I’m grateful for–It’s not about me,” Ryans said.
“I’m thankful for my staff. Thankful for the players for allowing us to be in the position that we’re in. And just getting 10 is–that’s okay, but that’s not always the goal. The goal is to get into the playoffs and make a run at winning it all. And if our guys keep our eyes forward, we keep believing, we keep playing, finishing the right way, we have everything we want in front of us.”
Texans Take Care of Bottom Line
GettyHouston Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans looks on against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Despite the reality check, Ryans’ message to the Texans was largely positive as he pointed out what he figures are the two most important factors for them in a tight AFC playoff race: finishing strong and getting the victory.
“Guys are doing a great job of just finishing games. Any type of way that we have to finish, guys are doing an outstanding job of that,” Ryans said. “I’m really proud of our team for the way they battled and won this game. It took a lot from everybody. Really proud. Offense started slow there, but we finished the game in outstanding fashion right there in a four-minute mode to milk the clock down and get into victory. That’s how you want to see games end. So, proud of the guys for doing that.”
“Everything is about winning. And you win, no matter how it looks, and you finish the right way, it doesn’t matter. You want to finish with the win. That’s what we did today.”
Up next, Ryans and the Texans travel to face the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 17.
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