Texans statement win over Steelers has bigger meaning than 2-2 on the year
The Houston Texans played their best and most complete game of the season on Sunday against the Pittsburgh Steelers. They somehow put together a game plan that saw both sides of the ball absolutely feast in Week 4, which only helped them get to 2-2 on the season, tied for first in the division with […]
The Houston Texans played their best and most complete game of the season on Sunday against the Pittsburgh Steelers. They somehow put together a game plan that saw both sides of the ball absolutely feast in Week 4, which only helped them get to 2-2 on the season, tied for first in the division with all four teams.
This win was different, though. There are a few things that make this win so special. Of course, they got the win on J.J. Watt's special night, which saw him be inducted into the Ring of Honor, but they also did something that they haven't done in a while. They won a home game, which sounds crazy, but they haven't done that since 2021.
The DeMeco Ryans effect is real, and it's showing that this team is heading in a positive direction. They are finally making Texans fans proud.
"Y'all deserve to feel special," C.J. Stroud said of fans wanting to be proud of wearing Texans gear. "We're going to keep fighting every day so y'all can walk around with that swag."
The Texans are playing differently, though. They have that blue-collar feel to them, or similar to a city that is always the underdog and counted out but is stronger than anyone could ever imagine. They are playing relentlessly, just like the city of Houston embodies.
Let's be serious; the Texans have been a laughingstock in the NFL for the last few years. They have been one of the worst teams, and maybe the worst, over the last two or three seasons. It would appear that they are definitely getting better. This win is the start of turning the franchise around, and while a lot of it is the new coaching, the quarterback has been a huge factor, too.
"I wasn't worried," Stroud said of the season's expectations. "They had the utmost faith in me, and they had confidence in me before I even had confidence in myself. If you're in the NFL, you're probably a really good football player. We don't want anybody to think we're going to be good or bad. We're in the arena. We want to prove ourselves right, not prove anyone wrong."
But they are proving people wrong.
The Texans are 2-2 for the first time since the 2019 season, when they made the playoffs but ultimately lost to the Kansas City Chiefs. Now, that doesn't mean the Texans will make the playoffs this season, and it doesn't mean they won't, but it certainly helps show they are getting better, and that's what's most important.
The real story here is that things are changing in South Texas. This team will not just roll over and let you beat them. You will have to earn it, and it certainly won't be easy. This win was only the beginning.
"We're just getting started," said Stroud.
Instant reaction to Steelers 30-6 loss at Texans
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