In the jubilant locker room of the Houston Texans as players CJ Stroud and coach DeMeco Ryans tell his players 'we can go as far as we want' in the playoffs
- Ryans led the Texans to the playoffs in his first attempt as head coach
- Houston's win over the Colts clinched a third postseason spot in six years
- DailyMail.com provides all the latest international sports news
<!–
<!–
<!–
<!–
<!–
<!–
After a dramatic win that sealed a playoff spot for the Houston Texans, head coach DeMeco Ryans gathered his team for a special post-game speech.
Houston headed to Indianapolis to face the Colts in a winner-takes-all game that would seal the playoffs for the winner, while the loser would be eliminated.
The Texans held on at 23-19 on a failed pass on a 4th-and-1 by the Colts, allowing the team that took second in last year's draft to reach the postseason.
“Proud of the determination, man,” Ryans, who reached the play-offs in his first season as head coach, said to his players in the locker room after the game. 'You're talking about determination. Pure grit. Everyone fights until the last game. That's what it's all about, dude.
“And we punched our ticket. Hey, now everything starts, right? Everyone is now 0-0, all we want are chances. Possibility.
DeMeco Ryans gave a special locker room speech after the game after the Texans won
CJ Stroud helped the Texans beat the Colts 23-19 and clinch a spot in the playoffs
A jubilant Texans locker room celebrated their achievement after the game was won
Ryans managed to take his former team to the play-offs in his first attempt as head coach
“We have our operation. What should we do with that operation now? We are going to benefit from the operation again. No doubt about that.
“I love you guys, dude. This is a huge achievement, man. The first time we as an organization have been to the play-offs since 2019. Okay? Again, no one matters… it doesn't matter what people on the outside say about the men in this room. Keep believing in each other, keep going. To fight every click.
“We have special people in this room. This is a special group of men. Believe it. Keep leaning on each other. Continue to rely on each other. We can go as far as we want.”
The Texans' second-round pick, quarterback C.J. Stroud, led the way on offense with 264 yards and two touchdowns on 20-of-26 passing.
Houston's defense allowed 360 yards, but also played a major role in preventing Indianapolis from gaining crucial points.
At 10-7, the Texans await the results of tomorrow's other AFC South matchup between the Jacksonville Jaguars and the Tennessee Titans. A Jaguars loss would mean Houston wins the division for the third time in six years.