The Texans’ 34-10 loss to Baltimore was disappointing, of course, but it did nothing to diminish what coach DeMeco Ryans accomplished in his incredible first season.
Predicted to be one of the two or three worst teams in the NFL, the Texans underwent an amazing transformation that included 11 victories, an AFC South title and 45-14 conquest of Cleveland in the wild-card round.
With Ryans and rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud helping the Texans earn praise and respect around the NFL, the Texans were the biggest surprise in the league.
Their surprising success bodes well for what Ryans and general manager Nick Caserio hope to achieve in free agency and the draft and sets up much higher expectations for next season.
“I’m proud of our guys,” Ryans said after the defeat. “I told them to keep their heads up, and credit to the Ravens. I’m proud of them for the entire year. It just wasn’t our time, our moment, right now. I’m proud of every coach and player in that locker room because of what we accomplished and how we grew throughout the year.”
Ryans’ first season as a head coach started and finished in Baltimore. The Texans failed to score an offensive touchdown in either game against the Ravens’ magnificent defense that became the first since 1970 to lead the NFL in fewest points allowed, sacks and takeaways.
The Texans lost the first game 25-9, and the only points were courtesy of Ka’imi Fairbairn’s three field goals. He kicked a 50-yarder Sunday when the only touchdown was provided by receiver Steven Sims, who returned a punt 67 yards to send both teams into the halftime locker room tied 10-10.
Then the Texans got obliterated and eliminated at M&T Bank Stadium. They’re now 0-8 against the Ravens, who are hosting the first AFC Championship Game in Baltimore since the Colts after the 1971 season.
The Texans are 0-5 in the divisional round and were unable to become the first Houston team to reach the AFC Championship Game since the 1979 Oilers.
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Defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald devised an excellent game plan to shut down the Texans’ run and to harass Stroud all over the field. He didn’t get sacked, but he was flushed from the pocket on almost every throw.
Stroud connected on 19-of-33 (57.6 percent) for 175 yards. His rating was 72.2 his second-worst of the season. He didn’t throw a touchdown pass or an interception, and his average per attempt was only 5.3 because he had to rely on so many short passes.
After beginning the season with 191 passes without an interception, he finished with 198 in a row. Overall, Stroud played in 17 games, counting playoffs, and threw only five interceptions.
“C.J. did a great job throughout the season,” Ryans said. “He’s the leader of our team. I’m so proud of him and how he’s grown as a player and as a leader. He’s fun to watch, just an awesome young man. The sky’s the limit for what he can do in his career.”
While Stroud was struggling from start to finish, Lamar Jackson was excelling and showing why he’s going to be a two-time MVP. After a mediocre start in which the most impressive thing he did was run the ball, Jackson erupted in the second half. He gave a halftime motivational speech, and it worked because the Ravens outscored the Texans 24-0 in the last two quarters.
Jackson entered the game 1-3 in the playoffs with no appearances in the AFC Championship Game. Now he’s one step away from the Super Bowl against the winner of the Kansas City-Buffalo game.
Jackson, who hadn’t played in 20 days because he was rested in the last game of regular season and the Ravens had a bye week in the wild card round, accounted for four touchdowns, including two rushing. He completed 16-of-22 for 152 yards without an interception. He was sacked three times in the first half and closed with a 121.8 rating.
Jackson became the first quarterback in league history to have at least two touchdowns rushing and passing, 100 yards rushing and a triple-digit rating. It was his 100 yards rushing and 9.1 average per carry that did the most damage to a Texans’ defense that surrendered 229 yards on the ground, including 5.5 a carry. They saw why Baltimore led the league in rushing.
“Lamar just took over,” Ryans said. “He made some exceptional plays. We couldn’t get him down. The biggest issue is being disciplined and where we were supposed to be. When you’re in position to make plays, you’ve got to make them. It was their run game that really hurt us. It wasn’t the passing game. Even at the end, knowing they were going to run the ball, we still didn’t get off blocks and make tackles to get off the field. That’s what hurt us the most.”
The Ravens’ run defense was as exceptional as their running game. They went into the game 14th against the run, allowing 109.4 yards. They stuffed Devin Singletary because the Ravens front seven overwhelmed the Texans’ blockers in embarrassing fashion.
Singletary carried nine times for 22 yards, and he gained 16 on one carry. He was hit in the backfield so many times it was like the Ravens were playing against air. The Texans finished with 38 yards rushing.
“We’ll process it tomorrow just like any other game and see where we can get better,” Ryans said. “Unfortunately, it’ll sting for a while because it’s the last one. We know we were right there at halftime. They (players) know we’d gone toe-to-toe with a really good team. I hope our team understands that, at all costs, you’ve got to finish. You want to play in big games, and when you do, it’s about execution and finishing.”
There won’t be much rest for the weary. Changes are coming to the coaching staff and roster. Offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik is being pursued by teams looking for a new head coach, but there’s no guarantee he’s leaving. Like Ryans did with the 49ers, Slowik might figure he needs a second season as a coordinator and play-caller.
“This is a year-to-year league, and nothing stays the same,” Ryans said. “Our guys know that. We had our moment, but this team won’t be the same next year, whether it’s players or coaches. It’s always evolving.
“We’ve got to earn it again next year. We’ll start over and put the work in again. It’ll be a new year. Great job this year with the guys getting into the divisional round. Now let’s see how we can build off of that and be better next year.”
Based on what Ryans and his coaches and Stroud and his teammates achieved this season, few will doubt them next season when they’ll play a first-place schedule, could be favored to repeat as AFC South champions and might even be considered as a Super Bowl contender.
John McClain can be heard Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday on SportsRadio 610 and Monday, Thursday and Sunday on Texans Radio, also on SportsRadio 610. He writes five columns a week and does three Houtopia Football Podcasts for SportsRadio610.com.