The Houston Texans are clinched the AFC South on Sunday thanks to the Denver Broncos’ comeback victory over the Indianapolis Colts.
DeMeco Ryans’ mind isn’t on the postseason. It’s on the Kansas City Chiefs, who welcome the Texans to Arrowhead Stadium on Saturday for a potential playoff preview.
“We’re still taking one week at a time. Even though we’ve clinched the AFC South, it still doesn’t change our approach,” Ryans said Monday following a 20-12 win over the Miami Dolphins in Week 15. “When we line up and play, we’re still trying to improve as a football team in all areas. We’re trying to play our best ball when playoff time hits. So we’re trying to still improve and do our best.”
While the Texans welcome the challenge of facing the defending Super Bowl champions, Kansas City could be without the man who’s guided the franchise to three Lombard Trophies since 20019. Quarterback Patrick Mahomes injured his ankle in the fourth quarter of their 21-7 victory over the Cleveland Browns and is now listed as “week-to-week” entering Saturday’s contest.
When asked how the team will prepare for the potential quarterback swift, Ryans politely said that the team is focused on securing a win and nothing more.
“I have no idea if he’s playing or not, so I really can’t focus on it or be concerned about it,” Ryans said. “Coach (Andy) Reid and the offense, they’re going to find a way no matter who’s there, and they’ll find a way to move the football. So, we just have to be on it in all areas of the game whether Patrick is there or not.”
Here are several highlights from Ryans’ press conference on Monday afternoon.
On what it means for the team to clinch the AFC South for the second season in a row
“Clinching the AFC South is huge for us. Great accomplishment by all of our guys. It’s always our goal. You want to make it in the postseason, you have to win your division, it starts there. And so, we’re just thankful for everyone who played a part in us reaching a first step of our goal and that’s getting in. Credit to all of our guys and the work that they’ve put in, the way they played yesterday was just outstanding to see them play that way, play complementary football and find a way to win games. And so, very proud of our guys and proud to win the AFC South.”
On how he thinks the offensive line looked against Miami with the changes made to the line
“Really pleased with the offensive line and what they did yesterday. Really liked the lineup that we had. And first, I’d like to thank Tytus [Howard] just – he should get some love for being unselfishly moving over inside to the left guard position and Blake [Fisher] coming in playing the most snaps that he’s played. I think he had a good start there and he still has room to grow and improve. But I think for his first time, his first outing there, I think he did a really good job. And just collectively, the group held up pretty well in protection, always things to clean up. But I was pleased with the O-line play and we’ll see where we can grow from there.”
On how he thinks the bye week helped QB C.J. Stroud reset
“The bye week definitely helped, not only C.J., helped everyone. I think just the – just being refreshed, energized. I think the energy was really good yesterday from our entire team. I think that’s where the bye week helped us. We were still rolling there in the fourth quarter. Felt like we had the mental and physical stamina to finish the game the right way. So, I think it helped everyone.”
On how RB Joe Mixon is doing injury-wise
“Joe came out fine. He missed some time there, but he’ll be fine.”
On what he liked about DT Tim Settle Jr. that encouraged the team to sign him in the offseason
“Tim’s a young player. Even though he’s been in the league for a while, he’s still a young player whose ascending. I saw a bigger defensive lineman who had some explosive traits that I really liked on film and just felt like getting him in our scheme would accentuate those traits even more. We’d allow him to play an attack style of defense more and thought he would be really good at it and Tim is – man, he’s taken it and he’s ran with it. He’s been a really great addition to our defense, great player to have, just great energy. He keeps it light on the team and you need that. Tim knows how to have a good time and he puts a smile on everyone’s – just how everyone here is smiling, it’s like as you guys know as well. But just love the energy that he brings to our entire team.”
On how impressive CB Derek Stingley Jr.’s performance was in the fourth quarter against Miami
“I mean it’s very impressive. Like I said, it’s a player I haven’t – it’s very rare you see a player make a play that way to end the game. That was an All-Pro type plays. That’s what it looks like when you’re one of the top guys at your position in the league going up, matching it up against one of the best wideouts in the league, as well. And to make the plays that he made, can’t say enough about how impactful Stingley has been throughout not only those plays yesterday, but Stingley has been impactful throughout the entire year. I think for the past three wins, he’s been our defensive player of the game. So, when he’s making impact plays, it’s putting us in position to win football games.”
On what he saw out of LB Christian Harris in his first game back
“He was flying around. He’s playing fast. He’s sideline-to-sideline, made nice tackles like he hadn’t missed a beat. He’ll have a few things to continue to clean up, but I was impressed with the amount of snaps he was able to play and the plays he was able to make with him coming back after being away for such a long time. So, I’m really, really impressed with his outing yesterday. It was cool to see. He’s missed a lot of time, worked hard to get back and he did not want to come off the field. Even when I tried to get him off the field, he did not want to come off the field.”
On what he made of LB Henry To’oTo’o’s performance against Miami with the bigger role he played
“I was pleased with Henry. I think one thing having the communication, when guys get that sometimes it throws you off of your game because you’re having to do a little bit more when it comes to getting everyone else the call, getting everyone else lined up. But I thought Henry was very calm in the moment and he handled himself really well. He played well, a ton of tackles, flying around, forced a fumble. But overall, he led the unit in a very, very nice manner. Productive outing by him and just the communication piece, it was off the charts. We had a lot going on with what Miami’s offense presents to us and Henry was steady throughout the entire game.”
On reflecting on what he and quarterback C.J. Stroud have accomplished in just two years:
“As we reflect on winning the division and back-to-back, it’s – we’re grateful, we’re thankful to be at a position we are. Thankful to work – I’m thankful to work with the guys I get to work with on a day-to-day basis. That’s what makes it special, the people that I work with and the way the guys show up every day to work with the right mindset, the right attitude. It makes it fun to work with these guys and also, we’re always trying to do our best, trying to compete, win games. But if you can do it with good people, that’s when it means more.”
On if he will submit the hip-drop tackle to the league that caused RB Joe Mixon to go down in the game
“The play with Joe on the sideline. We see that as a hip-drop tackle that didn’t get flagged there, but see it as a hip-drop tackle. Unfortunate – again it’s something we’re trying to clean up and get out of the game from a defensive perspective. Guys just have to do a better job of getting their bodies in front and wrapping up and running your feet.”
This article originally appeared on Texans Wire: What did Texans coach DeMeco Ryans say following Week 15’s wins over the Dolphins?
