'It'll Be A Fresh Start': Texans DeMeco Ryans Treating Week 18 Like New Game Against Colts
HOUSTON -- DeMeco Ryans knows the version of the Houston Texans that took the field in Week 2 no longer exists.
Injuries partially factor into the play style. Maturation throughout the regular season carries most of the weight.
Regardless of how Houston's turnaround occurred, Ryans is expecting to see a version of the Texans take the field Saturday night against the Indianapolis Colts for a shot at the AFC Playoff.
The saying 'win or go home' is often overused, but it's a fact for both squads entering Week 18.
Indianapolis Colts quarterback Gardner Minshew (10) talks with Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud (7) after the game at NRG Stadium.
Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
“We’re a completely different team, they’re a completely different team,” Ryans said Monday. “For us, I don’t really put much weight on the first game of the year. I start watching and I’m like, ‘Man, who is this team? ’ It seems like that was so long ago, playing that second game.”
The Colts have changed for the better as well. Last season under Frank Reich, Indianapolis finished 4-13 with a cascade of quarterbacks commanding the huddle. That led to a coaching switch and quarterback change, with the latter coming at No. 4 in the draft with the selection of Anthony Richardson.
Richardson thrived to open the game at NRG Stadium back in September, scoring two touchdowns on the ground to give the Colts an early 14-0 lead. His season's been done since early October after undergoing season-ending shoulder surgery on his throwing arm.
Shane Steichen, one of the top contenders against Ryans for Coach of the Year, was only warming up. The Colts (9-7) remain in the hunt for their first 10-win season since 2020 behind the consistent Garnder Minshew, who threw for 171 yards and a touchdown in the 31-20 win over Houston.
“Gardner [Minshew II] has done a good job with his entire season," said Ryans of the former Jags star. "He’s played really well for them. You talk about the accuracy, you talk about him just being – his movement in the pocket is what sets him apart.
"[Indy is] in this position they’re in because of good quarterback play by Gardner.”
While Indy picked up the win, the Texans picked up an identity. Rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud threw for 384 yards and two touchdowns while completing 63.8 percent of his passes.
He also was playing behind an offensive line riddled by injury. Starters like Tytus Howard, Laremy Tunsil and Juice Scruggs were ruled out before kickoffs. Starters included Kendrick Green and Jarrett Patterson, both of whom have suffered season-ending injuries over the past four months.
Barring a setback in practice from Laremy Tunsil, the Texans' offensive line should remain stable. Devin Singletary, who surpassed 1,000 scrimmage yards in Sunday's 26-3 win over the Titans, has taken over as the lead tailback.
Speaking on tailbacks, the Colts feature Jonathan Taylor, who did not play back on Sept. 17. Despite playing in nine games, Taylor still looks like his All-Pro self, averaging 4.4 yards per run with six TDs.
"They have different players in, we have different players in," said Ryans. "It’ll be a fresh start.”
Ryans is treating Saturday like it's the first time he's facing the Colts. In a sense, he is, especially when looking at the consistent changes to the roster at positions of value.
The last time Houston entered Lucas Oil Stadium, it secured the win but knocked itself out of the No. 1 slot in the NFL Draft. This time around, the stakes are similar but also different.
The Texans are a different team a year later. Ryans isn't concerned about what was but rather what will be. It's why he's choosing not to watch the previous matchup from Indy.
"I never looked at a game from last year," said Ryans. "It doesn’t concern me."
