We just find a way to win," Ryans said when asked how often he checks the AFC standings on Monday. "Those standings really don't matter right now at this point."
After the Week 3 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars, which dropped the Houston Texans to 0-3 on the season, linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair reiterated that the NFL is a week-to-week league.
"That's what the league literally is," said Al-Shaair about taking the season one game at a time. "I don't think that it is cliché at all. I think it literally is a week-to-week league, but obviously, we are keeping count, we are keeping score, and when you accumulate these wins or losses, one way or another, when you look back on the season, that is when you know how you really look."
Since the September loss to the Jaguars, the Texans have gone 5-2 after Sunday's 16-13 walk-off victory over the Tennessee Titans. It was another must-win game for Houston, which has gained momentum and gotten itself back in the playoff race, currently sitting one game behind Jacksonville for a wild-card spot.
Texans WR Nico Collins Celebrates His Second Half Touchdown With Teammates Photo-Andrew Nelles/Imagn Images"For us to turn it around, it's just about being laser-focused," said Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans during his postgame press conference. "Like, focus on the task in front of you. Can't do anything about how we started, but again, it's the mentality about our season, about each game. It's all about how you finish, and if you finish the right way, you are going to be in a good spot. It's just remaining focused on the target and the task in front of you."
One of the biggest challenges the Texans face in shaping their playoff chances is a tough three-game stretch against the Buffalo Bills (7-3), Indianapolis Colts (8-2), and Kansas City Chiefs (5-5), starting this week with the Bills in a Thursday night primetime game at NRG Stadium.
If Houston can come out of that three-game gauntlet with at least a 2-1 record, they will put themselves in a strong position to secure a playoff spot. However, for now, Ryans does not want to look ahead, nor does he watch the standings.
"We just find a way to win," Ryans said when asked how often he checks the AFC standings on Monday. "Those standings really don't matter right now at this point. What matters is, however, the standings look, I know what improves the standings is winning.
"So, my focus is on doing everything I can possibly do to help our team be in position to win this game this week. The standings and all those things, they will take care of themselves."