If the Texans upset the Ravens on Saturday afternoon, Houston will have a team reach the AFC Championship Game for the first time since the Luv Ya Blue Oilers after the 1979 season.
The Texans play at Baltimore, and it’s the fifth time they’ll have a chance to win a divisional round game. Coach DeMeco Ryans, who played six seasons for the Texans, lost to the Ravens in the divisional round after the 2011 season. That 20-13 defeat was the last game of his Texans’ career.
Ryans knows enough about Houston football history to understand the historical significance of what a victory at M&T Bank Stadium would mean to the fans. Imagine the pandemonium across the city if Ryans and rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud could ignite the Texans to an upset over the Ravens, who earned home-field advantage in the playoffs and are favored by 9.5 points.
“Man, that’s one of those memories that would stick with a lot of kids who are growing up as Texans’ fans, something the city could take a lot of pride in and hang their hat on,” Ryans said about what a victory would mean. “That’s one of those moments I’d love to be a part of and give to our fans.”
The last time Houston had a team play in the AFC Championship Game, it was led by coach Bum Phillips, running back Earl Campbell and quarterback Dan Pastorini.
Sparked by safety Vernon Perry’s four interceptions – still an NFL playoff record – the Oilers shocked an Air Coryell team that featured quarterback Dan Fouts, tight end Kellen Winslow and wide receiver Charlie Joiner playing for coach Don Coryell. All four are members of the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
With their injured offensive stars returning one week later, the Oilers lost the AFC Championship Game for the second consecutive year at Pittsburgh, where the Steelers won 27-13 at Three Rivers Stadium. They went on to win a fourth Super Bowl in six years.
“How blessed are we to be in this position playing for a spot to go to the AFC Championship Game?” Ryans said.
When Ryans found out a lot of those Oilers from the Luv Ya Blue era have been watching and praising the Texans for what they’ve accomplished – an 11-7 record, an AFC South title and a 45-14 demolition of the Browns in the wild card round – he was appreciative.
“We’re all Houston,” he said. “You’re talking about legends of Houston football, legends who paved the way for our guys to even be here. A lot of our fans grew up watching the Oilers. It’s Houston sports, Houston football. For the legends of Houston to get behind us means a lot.”
It’s easy to be impressed and pay tribute to the Texans because of what they’ve achieved in Ryans’ first season. After an 0-2 start, they’re 11-5. This season, they’re 7-3 in one-score games, including 4-3 in games decided by three or fewer points. They’re 2-2 in games decided on the last play.
“When I took over the job, one thing I wanted to do was to instill pride back in our team throughout our city,” Ryans said. “I want people around the city to be proud of the Texans, be able to wear their Texans gear and wear it proud. I’m starting to see a lot of Texans gear and starting to see a lot of smiles when we go out to restaurants.
“A lot of people are excited about the Texans and what the men in this locker room have done on the field to get this city excited about the Texans again – that’s what it’s all about. Our guys have done a tremendous job of regaining that respect, regaining that pride in our team, and that’s one thing I wanted to do when I took over here.”
One reason the Texans have captivated the city has been Stroud’s exceptional performance and his growing popularity. He was asked this week about the opportunity to lead the Texans to the AFC Championship Game for the first time in franchise history.
“We’re focused on going 1-0 this week,” he said. “We’ll figure it out after that. I’m not really focused on after that -- it’s all about going 1-0 and trying to do as best we can in this game.”
Pastorini is the only quarterback in Houston history to lead his team to the AFC Championship Game. Warren Moon couldn’t do it. Steve McNair didn’t have a chance in his first two seasons when he was primarily a backup before the Oilers moved to Tennessee. Deshaun Watson couldn’t do it for the Texans.
Moon, who was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame on the first ballot, is the most prolific quarterback in Houston history. Stroud’s cool and calm personality, his poise under pressure and his perfect spirals are reminiscent of what Moon brought to Houston for 10 seasons.
“My dad used to show me highlights of him growing up,” Stroud said. “He showed me how much of a pure passer Warren Moon was, which I can really appreciate. He paved a way for quarterbacks like myself and other quarterbacks, and he did it at a high level for a long time. I definitely appreciate him. He reached out to me not too long ago, and it meant a lot just because he was somebody I looked up to growing up, and I’m blessed to just be in contact with him.”
Stroud has been putting up Moon-like numbers. He started 10 games against teams that closed the season with winning records, including the Browns in the playoffs. The Texans are 7-3 in those games. Stroud has averaged 305.9 yards passing to go with 21 touchdown passes and two interceptions. Ryans has watched Stroud make tremendous strides since beginning the season with a 25-9 loss at Baltimore.
In that loss to the Ravens, Stroud completed 28-of-44 (63.6 percent) for 242 yards without an interception or touchdown. He was sacked five times and compiled a 78.0 rating – the second-worst rating of his season to the 54.8 at MetLife Stadium, where he suffered a concussion in the 30-6 loss to the Jets.
“Where he’s shown the most growth is his calmness and his confidence,” Ryans said. “Looking back at the Ravens game, he’s made some big-time plays. He’s been the same player. He’s grown as a leader has really stepped up big time.
“When we’ve needed it most, like the entire season and now in this moment, he’s the leader we need him to be. He’s the player we need him to be. His demeanor on and off the field is exactly what you want out of a starting quarterback.”
Now the Texans need Stroud, the leader, to lead the Texans to what would be the biggest victory in franchise history, one that would be written in the Houston history books as one of the most significant accomplishments in our city’s pro football history.
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.