Texans HC DeMeco Ryans Calls for Players to Emulate Bengals Duo Following Week 2 Loss
November 7, 2024: Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver JaMarr Chase 1, left, celebrates his touchdown during the third quarter of a game against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, MD. The Ravens won 35-34. Photo/ Mike Buscher / Cal Media Baltimore USA - ZUMAc04_ 20241107_zma_c04_214 Copyright: xMikexBuscher/CalxSportxMediax
November 7, 2024: Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver JaMarr Chase 1, left, celebrates his touchdown during the third quarter of a game against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, MD. The Ravens won 35-34. Photo/ Mike Buscher / Cal Media Baltimore USA - ZUMAc04_ 20241107_zma_c04_214 Copyright: xMikexBuscher/CalxSportxMediax
The Texans walked away from Week 2 with a painful lesson about what it takes to win NFL games. Houston suffered a disappointing loss to the Bengals, but head coach DeMeco Ryans knew exactly what stood out. Cincinnati's biggest stars consistently made plays when their team needed them most.
That became particularly clear when Ryans looked at Ja'Marr Chase and Dexter Lawrence. Chase made his presence felt offensively, while Lawrence controlled stretches of the game from the defensive side. For Ryans, that was the difference between having talented players and having playmakers who actually change games.
“This game is very indicative of what NFL football is about. Ja’Marr Chase, one of their best players, he showed up...Dexter Lawrence was effective all day. That’s where we gotta check ourselves. If you call yourself a playmaker, like where are your plays? Are you making those plays to put the Texans into position to win football games?”
Ryans' message was clear. Talent alone will not carry Houston through a difficult NFL season, especially when opponents have stars capable of taking over games. If the Texans want to compete, their own playmakers must consistently produce when opportunities arrive.
That puts pressure on Houston's stars to respond quickly. Ryans is not simply asking for better overall performances. He wants his best players to create the moments that can swing games in Houston's favor.
Bengals' Biggest Stars Continue to Set the Standard
For Cincinnati, the performance highlighted why the franchise invested heavily in its core. Chase remains one of the offense's most important weapons, while Lawrence gives the defense a disruptive presence in the trenches.
The Bengals need both players to maintain that level throughout the season. Their ability to make decisive plays can shape games even when everything around them does not go according to plan.
Ryans clearly noticed that impact. Now, he wants his own Texans players to deliver the same kind of response when their next opportunity arrives.
Written by
Joseph Nithin