DeMeco Ryans knows what happened the last time he and the Houston Texans took on the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium.
He remembers how the game ended in triumph, signaling a new era of Texans’ football after three underwhelming campaigns that saw three coaches be fired.
He also isn’t focused on the 2023 version of Indy’s squad. Much like the 23-19 win to claim the division title, that Colts’ roster remains in the past and won’t carry weight for the Texans heading into Week 1’s opener of what looks to be a prominent campaign in 2024.
“Last year was last year,” Ryans said Monday. “We’re fully focused on 2024. We’re a completely different team. They’re a different team as well. So for me, last year has nothing to do with this year going into their place.”
The Texans, who eventually advanced to the divisional round, are a better team than the previous squad that won the division title. C.J. Stroud is a year older and looks poised for a potential MVP run after setting records last fall.
Stroud’s supporting cast could make that happen. He’s already on the same wavelength as newcomer Stefon Diggs and previously built a rapport with both Nico Collins and Tank Dell. The run game should improve with a stable offensive line setting up lanes for former Pro Bowl running back Joe Mixon.
But the same goes for Indianapolis, which bested Houston in a Week 2 matchup at NRG Stadium behind a surging start from fellow rookie Anthony Richardson. Drafted No. 4 overall, Richardson set the tone with two touchdowns on back-to-back drives before leaving with a concussion at the end of the first quarter.
Houston didn’t get a chance to take on Richardson in the Week 18 rematch. The former Florida star suffered a season-ending injury in early October, thus leading to Garnder Minshew starting for 11 games.
Even in his little time, Ryans came away impressed with Richardson’s progression.
“He’s a playmaker,” Ryans said. “You have to account for him every single snap. It’s because of his dynamic ability to run the football. He poses a really good challenge for us defensively.”
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In four games, Richardson completed 59.5 percent of his throws, but he also rushed for 136 yards and scored four times with his legs. In the preseason, he threw a touchdown pass against the Cincinnati Bengals. He also threw a pick-six in the first quarter.
The Texans feel comfortable guarding names like Michael Pittman Jr. and second-round pick Adonai Mitchell. With Richardson, however, teams must prepare for the mobile element, too.
“He’s going to make plays,” safety Jimmie Ward said of Richardson. “Just because some of the stuff that he does you don’t really coach, it’s raw talent where a lot of the time he can use his feet. He’s a pretty big boy, too. I’m interested to see how he’s going to attack us. Is he going to slide or not going to slide? I guess I’ll see.
“I feel like he’s a really good player and he’s got a great team, too, behind him.”
Kickoff from Lucas Oil Stadium is scheduled at noon CT.