HOUSTON — The Houston Texans are back in the playoffs for the first time since the 2019 season after beating the Colts in a nail-biter in Indianapolis Saturday.
It's been a long time since the team has been able to celebrate a playoff-clinching win, but behind a rookie quarterback and head coach, they've found their way back this season and partied like champs in the winning team's locker room.
The Texans posted video of both the celebration and head coach DeMeco Ryans’ post-game locker room speech. As Ryans and quarterback CJ Stroud ran in, the team started chanting and dancing like the playoff-bound team they are.
Then the team heard from Ryans.
“I love you guys, man,” Ryans said. “I’m proud of the determination. You talk about determination and huge grit. Everybody fights until that last play. That’s what it’s about and we punched our ticket!
Now everything starts. Everybody is 0-0 right now. All we want is an opportunity. Opportunity, and we got our op. Now what do we do with that op? We’re going to take advantage of that op again, no doubt about it.
Love you guys. Love the work. This is a huge accomplishment, man. First time this organization has been to the playoffs since 2019. It doesn’t matter what people say on the outside. It’s about the men in this room continue to believe in each other, continue to fight every single snap. We’ve got special people in this room. This is a special group of men, believe it. Continue to lean on each other. Continue to trust each other. We can go as far as we want to go.”
The team will find out their next step on Sunday. If Jacksonville loses to Tennessee, Houston will be the AFC division champs and host the Cleveland Browns. If Jacksonville wins, Houston will be the wildcard team and their opponent will be determined after Sunday’s dust settles.