Head Coach DeMeco Ryans
On what he thinks of the Chargers
"We're really excited about this matchup versus the Chargers. Really well coached football team. You can see [Chargers Head] Coach [Jim] Harbaugh's imprint on the football team instantly just how sound they are in all three phases, very sound football team. They're very balanced offensively, run the ball well and, of course, [Chargers QB] Justin Herbert is one of the better quarterbacks in the league. He's done a really great job of just protecting the football. Doesn't turn the ball over a lot and it's a lot to be said for a quarterback who does that. Really puts his team in really good situations to move down the field. They're good on third down. Defensively, I think [Chargers Defensive Coordinator Jesse] Coach Minter has done a really good job with this team. Just eliminating the deep pass. They do a really good job of playing the shell coverages, mixing the coverages up. And this week, we've got to find #3, [Chargers S] Derwin James [Jr.]. He's all over the place. Talk about blitzing, a blitzing safety, nickel, whatever DB position you want to call it. Derwin is playing lights out. He's an impact player. We have to have awareness for where he is at all times. Their edge rushers are also good players, been doing it for a long time, [Chargers OLB Khalil] Mack and [Chargers OLB Joey] Bosa, are a really good tandem there on the edge. So, we'll have our hands full as it should be in a playoff matchup. But we're excited to go against a really good football team."
On how much of yesterday's performance helped the team address their areas for improvement
"What we did yesterday, it was just getting back to, for me, just getting back to the basics. I say just playing football the right way. For us, just going out and executing. As I know I've mentioned that a lot and that's what it looks like when our guys do it the right way, just eliminating negative plays. Offensively, putting together a solid drive, moving the football and finishing with points. That's something that we've been harping on, something we have to do better and we were able to do that yesterday. And I'm pleased with the outing that our guys had and I thought they did a really good job there."
On how he has seen QB C.J. Stroud's leadership evolve in his second year
"For C.J., when it comes to the leadership piece it's from C.J. being authentic. As I think everyone sees when C.J. is here in his interviews and everything, C.J. is authentic, he's real. It's not only here, it's in the locker room around the guys and that's what leadership is to me. As you evolve as a leader, you just be authentic to yourself. You don't have to make up anything or make up a speech or make up something to say to guys. You're just – C.J. is being C.J. And that's what our guys feed off, C.J. just being himself, being authentic as a leader. Understanding that it's not all on him as a leader, it's all of our guys just buying in, doing what they have to do. But also, C.J. understanding a lot of guys are looking up to him on the team and he takes that role seriously, but it's not a heavy weight for him because we have other leaders, as well, around him with [DE] Will [Anderson Jr.], [LB] Azeez [Al-Shaair], other guys that step up. So, I'm proud of C.J. of how he's continued to grow as a pro in his second year. And he'll continue to thrive and be better as a leader of our team."
On how he likes where QB C.J. Stroud's play is right now
"We're all in a good spot. We're ready to go play football. We're here, it's the playoffs, we're ready to go play football. Just can we be the best team on Saturday? That's all that matters for us."
On the challenges they will face with Chargers QB Justin Herbert's run game
"With Herbert and – he's a good quarterback all around. When it comes to, for me, it starts with him throwing the football and just the weapons that he has. The one that sticks out to me is [Chargers WR Ladd] McConkey, the guy from Georgia. Man, he's an elite route runner, very shifty, moves all over the place. You can tell they have that instant connection between McConkey and Herbert. And it's a real connection. He's all over the field, making plays for him, catching a lot of footballs and he's a dynamic player. I think he has a very bright future in this league."
On if there is another level every team reaches during the playoffs
"At this level, of course. The intensity, it picks up. Everybody understands what's on the line, what's at stake here. So, the intensity definitely picks up. And the game is sped up, it's faster, it's more physical and that's what playoff football is about. So, we'll – of course you get your opponent's best. They're going to get our best. That's what everybody likes to see. That's why you want to be here at this time of the year still playing playoff football. It's – everything is sped up, everything is more physical, it's more exciting all the way across the board, so we're excited about it."
On the offensive line's performance against the Titans
"With our offensive line, I thought our guys did a good job yesterday just when it comes to the – when it came to protecting, when it came to the run game, staying on blocks, staying attached, I think that allowed us to have some success in the run game with [RB] Joe [Mixon] and [RB Dameon Pierce] DP running the football. I thought our O-line did a really nice job of creating some lanes there. Of course, our backs, DP, of course, did a really great job, playing with great vision. When the space wasn't there, he was able to create it on his own and break a really long run there. So, proud of DP for what he was able to do. And O-line, also, with the protection. I thought they did a really nice job of giving our quarterbacks time. Quarterbacks stepped up in the pocket, both [QB] C.J. [Stroud] and [QB] Davis [Mills] and made some nice plays off schedule there. So, we're headed in the right direction, we just have to be more consistent all the way across the board."
On what he thinks of the Chargers offensive line
"Their offensive line is one of the strengths of their team starting with the tackles. Left tackle and right tackle are two really good players. We have two good players on the edge as well, so that'll be a matchup that I think everybody is looking forward to. And we have to find a way to win on the edge versus their top players. Interior-wise, they also do a great job of working together. They've run the ball well, different backs at different times have run the ball well. Just – it's going to take a collective effort all the way across the board. For us, defensively, I think the key will be our interior D-linemen playing really well versus some of the run schemes that they have."
On if they feel more comfortable heading into the playoffs this year compared to last season
"To me, it's right here, 2025 now. But right now, 2025, we're just focused on the present of our team, what we have here now. Last year is last year. Entirely different locker room, different group of guys. How do we make the most out of our opportunity here, right now, with the guys that we have? Just want our guys to really live in that moment of where we are right here, right now with what we have. Let's go make the most of it."
On if he feels that DE Danielle Hunter has elevated DE Will Anderson Jr.'s game
"Yeah, Will has definitely had an outstanding year this year as well. He's gotten better, probably double his production. He's gotten so much better run game, pass game, just overall. To take the leap that he's taken his second year has been really impressive to see him take that leap and he's a dynamic player, impact player for us, leader, everything you want. And I think Danielle has definitely helped him. Having Danielle and just their relationship, their bond and what Will was able to learn from Danielle when it came to just I think at the top of the rush, that moment of truth, being able to find ways to escape and finish on the quarterback. And I think having Danielle here to have another guy to listen to along with [Defensive Line] Coach Rod [Wright] and [Assistant Defensive Line] Coach Nate [Ollie] are doing an outstanding job all the way across the board. Our entire D-line has done a great job, been the strength of our defense this year. Proud of all the guys, coaches and the players, they've all done a really great job."
On the mindset of the younger players heading into the playoffs
"The mindset of our young guys, they just want to play. They love playing football and that is how I like them. Their mentality is straight forward, let's get to it, what is the next opponent, what is the game plan, let's go to work. That is how I want our guys to be. It is just laser focus on what matters right now. We will have guys who have experience in the playoffs, guys who don't have experience. At the end of the day, for me, when the ball is snapped are you doing your job or are you not? Are you playing with the Texans relentless mindset or not? That is what matters. Our young guys, older guys, it doesn't matter. Our team collectively we have to play complimentary football. We have to play smart football, eliminate mistakes and play together and that will be good enough for us.
On if they are going into the playoffs with a mindset of a fresh start
"Yeah, we are here now, let's go play. For me, nothing else matters. It is how are you playing right now. Are you playing your best ball going into the playoffs? That is what matters most and are you able to consistently keep up with that when you are in the playoffs. Can you continue to play good ball? Can you continue to play the game the right way and not make silly mistakes? Can you put yourself in favorable positions? Can we get better scoring in the redzone, defending in the redzone? Those situational elements of the game, third down, red area, those are the areas that we have to be really good at in the playoffs because good teams aren't going to make mistakes. We have to find a way to beat them."
On the growth of Offensive Coordinator Bobby Slowik with the ups and downs this season
"I don't know of any seasons that are smooth. You have a lot of ups and downs, even when you are winning those things kind of go under the rug. There are ups and downs as coaches and as coaches you have to grow and evolve. You have to do things different and sometimes you set out to do or have a mindset of doing things one particular way and you always have to tweak those things and do what is best for the guys that you have and are capable of doing. I have seen where [Offensive Coordinator] Bobby [Slowik] has definitely grown in that area of being able to adjust and put our guys in a position where they can be successful."
On how slim the error margins are and how important the details are in the playoffs
"At this level, if you make a mistake, it can cost you. Every game is sort of like that but here in the playoffs even much so because all the teams that are here deserve to be here. They wouldn't be here if they weren't good teams. If you give good teams more opportunities to go score, they are going to find a way to score. You cannot have the mental mistakes here in the playoffs. You cannot have the penalties, all those things where field position is definitely a huge battle, and we have to win that field position battle each and every game. It is even more paramount now. It is just a matter of being on the details and being confident in what we are doing and going to play."
On the confidence of WR Diontae Johnson and how he can help this week
"With Diontae [Johnson] I was really impressed with this last week of practice. I thought he picked up on the things we were asking him to do. I thought he had some really nice catches, really nice plays throughout practice and he got in the game. We were able to get him a little involved in the game as well. I thought he handled himself really well. We will start to continue to feed him more to see how he can help us. The skillset, the talent is there it is just a matter of him integrating into our offense and making sure we put him in positions to where we can accentuate his talents because he is a talented player. He has made a ton of plays in this league, and it is exciting to see what he has been able to do on the practice field. So, I am excited to see that come to life on gamedays. He has done a great job, happy to work with Diontae. He has been a pleasure to work with."
On what ways S Jalen Pitre still helps this team in stadium while on IR
"Jalen [Pitre] has done a great job just being around each and every day. Even though he has rehab, Jalen is still in our meetings, he is out at practice, he cares. He is involved, wants to help other guys and it just speaks to who Jalen is as a man and why he is our Walter Payton Man of the Year recipient because it is bigger than football to him. He has that heart to help others, not only here in the building when he can't go out and physically play, he has that heart to help others out in the community as well with the Meals program that he is helping the kids with here in Houston. I am just happy to have Jalen around, love having him around. You can't have enough special people around. Jalen is one of those special young men that I love to coach."
On how hard it is to have the type of success he has seen in the first two years of coaching
"For me, I look at everyday as a blessing and I attack it that way. I am grateful for the opportunity that I have to serve here with the Texans, I am grateful for the people that I get to work with. That is what makes it even better is just the people. The players, the staff, the support staff, ownership, everybody being on the same page it helps us move in the direction that we want to go. That has continued to progress, continued to move our organization forward and that is everybody being on the same page. I am happy to work with the people that I work with. I understand our business and understand how tough it is to be successful every year in this league, so I never take it for granted. I am thankful for our guys and their attitude. The way they work, anything I ask those guys to do they are about it. That is what makes it easy for me and it is a blessing to be a head coach of an NFL football team. I never lose sight of that and I never lose sight of how hard it is to be successful. It is unfortunate when you see guys lose their jobs and also you everyone is just waiting to see what is going to happen. That is upsetting to me if you are kind of hanging around waiting to see if something bad happens to someone else. You have to think about the families, they are involved. Not only the head coach but other coaches who are on staff. Kids who are in school. It is bigger than just, 'Oh a coach got fired, that the news cycle and let's keep it moving'. I think about the families that are affected by those moves and it is deeper than just the head coach moving on and then you get someone else."
