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Texans have a chance to do something they've never done before
In Sunday’s AFC divisional round playoff against the New England Patriots, the Houston Texans will try to reach their first AFC Championship game — something coach DeMeco Ryans vowed to do after a bitter defeat in this same round just one year ago.
The Texans are 0-6 in the second round of the playoffs.
But Houston is riding high after its 30-6 victory over the Steelers — a game in which Houston was dominant on defense.
It's a far cry from where the Texans were in September when they were 0-3.
When the Texans fell to 0-3 and later 3-5, they had just a 2% chance to make the playoffs.
But Ryans didn’t panic.
“He said, ‘Let’s do us better,’” running backs coach Danny Barrett recalled. “Don’t worry about anybody outside this building. If we do us better, we’ll be in good shape.’
“And I think the guys really, truly believed that.”
That message permeated throughout the team. It’s why Houston is in the position it is in. One win turned into two wins. Two wins turned into three wins. Three into four. And when they looked up, the Texans were 12-5.
“I’m happy it happened,” Ryans told the Houston Chronicle of the 0-3 start. “Because we needed that to happen for us. That’s what I see and what I love about this team.
“I feel like now with the position we’re in, if it didn’t go that way, I don’t know how locked in on the details guys may be.”
This story will drop on Saturday morning. Read the full version at houstonchronicle.com/sports/texans.
 | Jonathan M. Alexander, Texans beat reporter |
Photo by: Susan Barber
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WR Christian Kirk: Kirk put on his best performance when it mattered most, recording a season-high eight receptions for 144 yards against Pittsburgh. He will be counted on again with Nico Collins out. The Texans need him.
Texans running game: Running back Woody Marks rushed for 119 yards on 19 carries in Monday's win over the Steelers. It was his first 100-yard rushing game. Nick Chubb also added 48 yards. You need to run the football in the playoffs.
Texans defense: The Texans held the Steelers to 175 total yards and sacked Aaron Rodgers four times. They are getting hot at the right time.
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Nico Collins' availability: Collins will not play Sunday as he remains in concussion protocol. It was always a long shot for him to return on a short week. The Texans will need other receivers to step up.
Texans ball security: C.J. Stroud fumbled five times, but only lost two last week, because of either bad snaps or strip sacks. The Texans must fix that against the Patriots.
Texans Trivia!
Monday’s question: How many times have the Texans began the postseason on the road?
Monday's answer: Before Monday's game, the Texans had never opened the postseason on the road. Shoutout to Eddie Gonzales being the first!
The next Trivia question will be in Monday's newsletter.
Photo of the Day
Photo by: Brett Coomer, Houston Chronicle
Sometimes you need a little bit of luck to come your way. Our staff photographer Brett Coomer caught Christian Kirk's touchdown last Monday.
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