Getty Image / Tim Warner
First-year Houston Texans Coach DeMeco Ryans has done of the best coaching jobs in the NFL this year. The former Pro Bowl linebacker for Houston has the team in the AFC Divisional Round after going 3-13-1 in 2022.
Most of the focus has been on the play of sensational rookie quarterback CJ Stroud. But, Ryans has done an outstanding job with a young and talented defense, and that was on display against the Cleveland Browns.
The game changed from a competitive game, with Houston holding a 24-14 lead, into a blowout with two Joe Flacoo pick-sixes within two minutes of each other in the third quarter.
The first one was an 82-yard interception return by Steven Nelson, and the second one, by Christian Harris, had a lot to to do with a great coaching point by DeMeco Ryans.
Prior to the play, DeMeco Ryans tells Harris exactly what to do on the ensuing series, and Harris does it. Take a look.
This is pretty awesome: #Texans HC DeMeco Ryans told LB Christian Harris exactly what he needed to do before his pick-six of Joe Flacco.
Coaching matters. This is phenomenal.pic.twitter.com/Ym2wjcsUBE
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) January 17, 2024
Ryan even tells Christian Harris that he’s going to pick it off, and he does!
It’s been a fantastic year all-around for the Houston Texans. After the Deshaun Watson off-field issues, the franchise was left for dead by many. Instead, they’ve turned it around in record time, hugely upgrading their talent in the process.
They took Stroud with the second pick and traded up to the third pick to snag promising edge rusher Will Anderson in the 2023 NFL Draft as anchors on both sides of the ball. Both of those players had exceptional rookie seasons, and 2022 3rd-overall pick, cornerback Derek Stingley, has also quickly improved. The future is incredibly bright in Houston.
But, they’re focusing on right now, as they are only three games away from winning the first Super Bowl in the team’s history. The Texans take on the Baltimore Ravens this Saturday in the AFC Divisional Round.