The Houston Texans emerged as an early 2026 NFL season disappointment. Houston is now a stunning 0-3 after falling to the Indianapolis Colts 19-17 Sunday. And head coach DeMeco Ryans is casting blame involving one blunder.
Ryans didn't manage his timeouts more effectively, particularly when he called a timeout with 29 seconds left. But the Colts ran the football five times starting from Houston's 45 with 1:05 left, then Ryans called for the pause.
He admitted this mistake postgame with reporters after the loss.
“If I could make a better decision, I'll look at that and try to see where I can make that better decision,” Ryans told reporters.
He added how while he fields suggestions on when to call a timeout, Ryans bluntly says “everything starts with me.”
#Texans coach DeMeco Ryans on his decision to not call a TO earlier during the Colts last drive.
The Colts on 1st and 10 from Houston's 45, ran the ball for 5 yards & the clock read 1:05. Ryans didn't call a timeout until 29 seconds left:
“Everything starts with me.” pic.twitter.com/jIup1UW1zh
— DJ Bien-Aime | NASM CPT (@Djbienaime) September 27, 2026
Ryans is enduring his slowest start of his famed head coaching career. His Texans teams established themselves as an annual AFC South contender under his coaching. Plus handing the quarterback reins to CJ Stroud has elevated the franchise into a consistent playoff team. Injuries have struck this team too, particularly star wide receiver Nico Collins and linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair.
So Ryans is hoping to stay optimistic during this rigid start to the season. Especially with the Texans already labeled a disappointment by the outside world.
“As a team, it all starts with me. Right now it’s not good enough from our perspective,” Ryans said. “I gotta get back to the drawing board and do a better job.”
Granted, Houston started the 2025 campaign with an 0-3 record before eventually recovering. So now they must hit new, rare franchise history in producing back-to-back playoff bids following similar starts.