The Houston Texans did not quietly slide into the postseason. They forced their way in.
Led by DeMeco Ryans, the Texans closed the regular season by winning nine straight games, finishing 12-5 and earning the No. 5 seed in the AFC. That late-season surge flipped the tone of the year and set up a prime-time playoff game Monday night on the road against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
For a franchise that has spent years trying to find its footing, this run has felt different. It has felt earned.
Nine straight wins changed the outlook
The season did not always point in this direction. Houston dealt with injuries, narrow losses, and moments when things could have gone the other way. Instead of folding, the Texans kept stacking small wins.
Once the streak started, the confidence followed. Games tightened in the fourth quarter and Houston stayed composed. The defense made timely stops. The offense found just enough when it mattered most.
Nine wins in a row does not happen by accident, especially late in the season.
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Ryans has made January feel normal
Ryans does not bring flash or noise to the sideline. He brings calm. That presence has shown up in the biggest moments.
This is Ryans’ third season as a head coach, and the Texans are back in the playoffs again. Houston has already won postseason games under his watch, which is something this franchise struggled to find in the past.
For players, that matters. The playoffs are no longer unfamiliar or overwhelming. They are simply the next step.
What the postseason has taught Houston so far
The Texans have not had a perfect playoff track record under Ryans, but they have been competitive every time out. They have shown they can win when the lights are brightest and that they belong on the field in January.
Those experiences carry over. Teams that have been through it tend to play freer and more confidently the next time around.
This group does not feel wide-eyed heading into another playoff game. It feels ready.
Monday night in Pittsburgh sets the stage
There are few tougher places to play in the postseason than Pittsburgh. The crowd will be loud, the conditions will be physical, and the game will demand patience.
That kind of environment fits Ryans’ background. He built his career on defense, discipline, and toughness. He understands that playoff games often turn on field position, turnovers, and late-game execution.
The Texans do not need style points. They need to stay connected for sixty minutes.
How this run matters for Texans
Winning nine straight games to close the season says a lot about where this team is headed. The Texans are playing their best football at the right time and doing it under a coach who has quickly changed expectations.
Monday night is another opportunity, not a finish line.
For DeMeco Ryans and the Texans, the postseason is no longer about proving they belong. It is about seeing how far this stretch can take them.
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