The Houston Texans enter postseason play on Saturday against the Los Angeles Chargers under unusual circumstances. Even though the squad went 10-7 on the year, captured the AFC South title for the second consecutive year, and are the home team? They’re considered the underdog against The Bolts and superstar quarterback Justin Herbert. Banged up, beaten, and bruised… the Texans have been plagued by injuries and inconsistent play in the second half of the season. And in the eyes of many fans and critics, Houston and Head Coach DeMeco Ryans are merely limping to the finish line – like lambs being led to slaughter when they take on the Chargers (11-6) on Saturday.

Texans QB Says He’s Not Worried About The Odds

Despite the naysayers, Houston’s confidence doesn’t appear to have wavered. Facing some season-ending injuries to star receivers Tank Dell and Stefon Diggs, the club retooled a bit on offense by adding free agent (and former Pro Bowler) Diontae Johnson. But at the end of the day? The guy who plays the most important position on the field says he isn’t worried about the doubters out there.

Quarterback CJ Stroud has heard all the chatter. Not only about his team but his own performance this season After an amazing Offensive Rookie of the Year campaign in 2023, he followed it up with less-than-stellar numbers in his second season. Still, the 23-year-old signal caller doesn’t mind being the underdog in the upcoming playoff showdown.

“Noise is always going to be there,” Stroud said. “It’s a part of sports. It’s always evident in this sport. They said the same thing about us last year when we played the Browns [in the playoffs]… I kind of like being the underdog. I’ve been the underdog a lot of my life and my career, so it’s actually comfortable for me.”

Rex Ryan’s Criticism is Bulletin Board Material

Even with their high level of confidence, the Texans have been highly disrespected by several fans, critics, and observers. Notable, ESPN analyst Rex Ryan – formerly the head coach of both the New York Jets and Buffalo Bills – made a sarcastic comment about Houston’s chances when appearing on Get Up with Mike Greenberg.

“I never realized they get a bye,” Ryan said. “Oh wait, they gotta play [the Texans]. What’s the difference?”“

“The Texans’ offense is struggling so bad. They can’t protect the quarterback, The Chargers’ No. 1 scoring defense in the NFL going up against that offense? Wooh! Get ready for the next round.”

While Houston’s players publicly took the high road regarding Ryan’s words, they still had the aura of a unit with a chip on their shoulders. In the meantime, Texans Head Coach DeMeco Ryans pointed out that none of the talk will matter if he and his team prove Ryan – and the oddsmakers – wrong.

“For us, it doesn’t matter if anybody gives us a shot. It doesn’t matter to me. At the end of the day, when the ball is kicked off it is about who is the best football team out on Saturday,” Ryans said. “That is where our focus is on playing really good football.”

Main Image: Steve Roberts – USA Today Sports

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