BALTIMORE – – As time was winding down in the AFC divisional game between the Houston Texans and Baltimore Ravens, many Texans players had a different look about them.
Of course, one look was of disgust because they did not want to end their season with an embarrassing 34-10 loss to the Ravens on national television. They had overcome too much adversity in helping repair the team’s image after a disastrous three seasons, where they combined for only 11 wins, a win total Houston matched this season after defeating the Cleveland Browns in the wild card game last week.
No, the look they had was as if they were looking into the future at what they could soon become in the next two to three years with head coach DeMeco Ryans, a future franchise quarterback in rookie C.J. Stroud, and a bunch of young pieces that will become building blocks for Houston. It was the nucleus that the Ravens used over three years ago as they put together a team around superstar quarterback Lamar Jackson, who could potentially win his second NFL MVP award in four years once the votes are counted.
“I feel like this was a stepping stone,” Texans wide receiver Nico Collins said after the game. “We have seen what this team can do and what this team is about. I feel like it’s only the beginning; feel like it’s a lot of hungry people in this locker room that are willing to leave it all out there. You know, it isn’t the way it ended, but it is what it is. [We’ve] got to get ready for next year.”
Only Texans players believed they would participate in the 2024 NFL playoffs coming out of training camp. Many thought they had the talent to make a Super Bowl-type run like the Cincinnati Bengals did in 2021. That is where the “Why Not Us” mantra began. It was a phrase that many players used when speaking to the media about the expectations of the upcoming season. They continued to utter it until the clock ran out at M&T Bank Stadium in the loss to the Ravens, which officially ended their season.
“Shoot, tomorrow,” said quarterback C.J. Stroud when asked when the Texans would be ready to repeat the phenomenal run of 2023. “Like I told y’all before, pressure is a privilege.” #Texans #Sarge #TexansWire pic.twitter.com/suwK34v1sr
— #SARGE (@BigSargeSportz) January 22, 2024
Although there will be no more football to play next week, Texans players began to ponder the next season in the visiting team’s locker room. Yes, many players were disappointed that they couldn’t get the job done against the best team in football, a team they had on the ropes tied at 10 at the half. But they knew the adversity they had overcome and immediately contemplated a new mantra for the 2024 NFL season.
“Run It Back!”
That would be fitting for a team that relied so much on an outstanding rookie class that outperformed expectations. With the proper draft picks, re-signing some key free agents, and a ton of cap space heading into the offseason, it is difficult not to believe that they can contend for an AFC Championship next season.
“Shoot, tomorrow,” said quarterback C.J. Stroud when asked when the Texans would be ready to repeat the phenomenal run of 2023. “Like I told y’all before, pressure is a privilege, and it’s hard to stand up here. It may seem easy, but it’s hard. I worked hard; I appreciate you guys for the whole year.
“I think the foundation we set is a hard one built on a rock like DeMeco always talks about. I’m going to continue to work my tail off next year to make the city of Houston proud, to make my family members proud, make God proud.”