The only number that matters now is seven. That’s the winning streak, and it stands as the clearest indicator of where the Texans are at this moment. With each passing week, it continues to grow, ballooning to the point where Houston now owns double-digit wins for just the seventh time in franchise history. Much of that credit belongs to DeMeco Ryans, who has now accomplished that feat in all three seasons at the helm.
There is a growing belief around the league that the Texans’ offense only has to do enough not to get beat. That formula was on display Sunday at NRG Stadium against Las Vegas. The Raiders outgained Houston by 45 yards and had moments where they appeared to control the flow of the game. But the Raiders lose these games because, well, they’re the Raiders. It hasn’t mattered if it’s Pete Carroll, Josh McDaniels, or Antonio Pierce. At this point, you could hand the headset to super fan Wayne Mabry, aka “The Violator,” and most weeks the result would be the same. They change coaches as often as a chameleon in unfamiliar surroundings.
Houston’s 23–21 victory leaned heavily on defense and special teams. Derek Stingley’s pick-six flipped momentum, and Ka’imi Fairbairn added three field goals. Even with C.J. Stroud limited to 187 passing yards, it was enough. That has become the point. Let the defense set the tone, win games, and don’t get in the way.
The blueprint feels familiar because it is. A quarter century ago, Baltimore advanced to the Super Bowl using the same approach. In the AFC Championship Game, the Ravens defeated the Raiders with just one offensive touchdown and three field goals. Sound familiar?
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That Ravens offense took its cues from a historically dominant defense, which is the same position Stroud and the Texans now occupy. Former Ravens wide receiver Qadry Ismail once described that dynamic to AllSportsPeople.
“It was incredible practicing against such a formidable defense, but looking back, I don’t think we truly realized just how dominant they were at the time. Greatness has a way of keeping you present, you don’t look at the outcome, you stay locked into the process. Daily, I was going up against guys like Chris McAlister and Duane Starks, it was a masterclass. Competing against them as a wide receiver allowed me to hone my game, and I think I helped sharpen theirs too. We had historic talent on that field.”
For Houston, the lesson is clear. This team doesn’t need to chase aesthetics. It doesn’t need to force production. It simply needs to stay within itself and keep stacking wins.
Seven straight later, the Texans know exactly who they are.
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