BALTIMORE — When it comes to high marks in the NFL, no franchise has a lower mark than the Houston Texans. However, despite a 34-10 loss to the top-seeded Baltimore Ravens in Saturday's playoff round, they tied it again.
But don't be surprised if they're scaling new heights a year from now.
“Proud of them for getting to this moment. This isn't a moral victory just because we're here — this isn't what we set out to do. But this team accomplished a lot,” said head coach Demico Ryans, who led the Texans to the AFC South title in his first year on the job. this year”.
“I'm proud of them, just all year long. This wasn't our moment, this wasn't our moment.”
But 2024 might be the case.
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Preseason expectations were close to zero for an organization that hadn't reached the postseason since 2019, won 11 games total over the previous three seasons, and was still, in many ways, picking up the pieces from the fiasco created by its former quarterback. Deshaun Watson.
But with Ryans, a Pro Bowl quarterback for the Texans when he was a player, setting the tone, and rookie C.J. Stroud filling the void left by Watson, Houston was able to win its division and a playoff run before falling short of its first division berth. Asian Championship match. The Texans, now 0-5 in divisional games, will remain one of four teams that have never played in the Super Bowl.
for now.
“Any time you have a quarterback and a head coach that sets the culture, I think the sky is the limit,” veteran safety DeAndre Houston Carson told USA TODAY Sports.
But many restrictions were in place on Saturday. Houston managed just 213 yards of offense and was particularly inept on the ground (38 yards). The Texans' only touchdown came on a 67-yard punt return from Steven Sims. They committed 11 penalties, many of them variety penalties, for 70 yards. Deadeye kicker Ka'imi Fairbairn had a rare foul on a 47-yard field goal attempt before halftime. While the defense limited the damage done by Ravens All-Pro quarterback Lamar Jackson in a 10-10 first half, it ran for two plays and passed for another after the break.
“It's hard to feel embarrassed like that,” Stroud said.
“I'm upset now, but I'm happy when I look back on this year and this opportunity we had today to play in front of millions of people.”
Almost everyone in the locker room believes there will be more opportunities.
“I think DeMeco set a very high bar of expectations,” Stroud continued. “Overall, we won a lot of games. So I think that laid a great foundation.
“I will continue to do my best next year to make the city of Houston proud.”
“I did a great job this year with the guys getting to the sectional round,” Ryans added. “Now let’s see how we can build on that and be better next year.”
Here are five reasons why NFL teams should be wary of messing with the Texans in 2024:
C.J. Stroud
The second overall pick of the 2023 draft, he and Raines formed the first rookie quarterback-coach duo to win a division championship. Stroud showed great throwing ability, leading the NFL with 273.9 yards per game, and likely would have set several rookie records had he not missed two games due to a concussion. Considering how he helped revitalize a struggling organization and elevate what was previously expected to be an average group of receivers, this offense should only get better with experience and an infusion of more talent.
Demico Ryans
Houston's fifth head coach since the start of the 2020 season, he is expected to be here for a while. Ryans, who appears smart and calm, seemed to instill those qualities into this team as it won three of four to close out the regular season and snatch the division crown from the Jacksonville Jaguars. Continuity can go a long way in the NFL, and the program Ryans is drafting seems designed to last a long time — and will likely attract other quality players to Houston.
Salary ceiling
According to OverTheCap, Houston is expected to make $71.4 million to sign free agents this year. That could mean retaining pending free agents like tight end Dalton Schultz and running back Devin Singletary. The Texans could look to upgrade their safety and offensive line and perhaps acquire another receiver alongside rookie Neco Collins.
The essence of the list
Beyond Stroud and Collins, rookie pass rusher Will Anderson Jr., defensive end Jonathan Greenard, cornerback Derek Stingley Jr., middle linebacker Blake Cashman and left tackle Laremy Tunsil form a promising core laced with all the key spots. Now, Ryans and GM Nick Caserio can continue to flesh out the lineup and build depth without necessarily having to chase needs at premium positions.
AFC South
It feels like a tougher division than it did five months ago given the Indianapolis Colts (without rookie QB Anthony Richardson) and the Jags barely missed the postseason. However, he may still be the underdog in the AFC, especially with the Tennessee Titans seemingly poised for a real rebuild. It's no picnic by any means, but at least the Texans don't have to deal with the Patrick Mahomes-led Kansas City Chiefs, the Josh Allen-led Buffalo Bills, or the AFC North's killer contention on a regular basis.
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Follow Nate Davis of USA TODAY Sports on X, formerly Twitter @ByNateDavis.
