Texans 23, Bills 19
DEMECO RYANS: All right, first off, as always for me, give thanks to where it's due. All glory, honor, and praise to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. What was an outstanding performance, outstanding game. And for our guys to continue to finish games the way they finish, extremely proud of our guys for the effort they showed tonight playing together, playing complementary football.
Went down to the wire, but it's all about how you finish. So I'm really excited to get this win.
Q. DeMeco, I imagine like the fourth down conversion that they made could have been demoralizing, but obviously you guys were able to get that stop there then. What did you feel like that said about the team? What did you think about the fourth down conversion, how crazy it kind of was?
DEMECO RYANS: Yeah, the fourth down conversion they made it's really not surprising. I mean, they've had it. Josh has done that several times this year actually. So, again, kid is a good player. They made a play on us. But the thing about it is our guys, we don't waver. We knew what we were defending and we didn't waver.
Guys can go in the tank but the game isn't over just because they make one play. That's not the end of the game. We're still out there, still battling, and our guys showed right there how we finish it with Calen ending it with the interception.
Q. As of right now defensively on a historic track right now. Like you guys have better numbers than (indiscernible) What is allowing you guys to play not one of the best in the league, but as like one the best of all-time from a statistical standpoint ?
DEMECO RYANS: Yeah, the defense is playing outstanding. It's not just about the defense. I think Tommy set us up well really with some punts he's had to put teams in a backed-up territory. Our kickoff team, they've covered well and put guys minus 20.
So we've had some favorable field positions just collectively as a team, like everybody working together. Our guys are doing a good job getting off on third down, which limits the amount of plays that you're playing.
And then credit goes to first and foremost our defensive line for the way they go out, the way those guys relentlessly rush the passer, and everybody on the back end is playing sound and playing together. When we do that, we're tough to move the ball against.
So our players are doing an outstanding job.
Q. DeMeco, your defense had eight sacks; on the opposing side your offensive line did not give up a sack. What did you notice from them tonight?
DEMECO RYANS: Our offensive line, again, wanted to recognize them with a game ball because they did a great job. We knew we needed to control the line of scrimmage. Thought we ran the ball okay, but most importantly we protected the quarterback. We didn't allow any sacks on the quarterback. Only allowed one TFL.
So just overall for that unit to come together and play the way they played on a short week, hats off to those guys. Cole is doing a great with those guys. Got Ed back; moved Tytus over. Still a lot of moving pieces and the guys still played really well together.
Q. Can you just talk about the offense overall? Started out a little shaky; then Davis was able to do what he says he does and stay calm and collected.
DEMECO RYANS: Yeah, Davis has been phenomenal for us these past couple weeks. Coming in especially on a short week, not getting a ton of full-speed reps, the timing of throwing the football, that's affected a little. I thought he weathered the storm and he handled himself well.
Even though we had some passes we would like to connect on, he still stayed steady and still stayed calm as he always does keeping everybody else calm on the sideline.
He did a great job there. The two-minute drive before the half, I thought that was an outstanding drive by him. Like finding the completion when it counted, making the plays, driving us down to get points, that was huge for us yeah.
Q. Why do you think Nick and Davis are a good match together, and are there any ways that Nick Caley is really helping Davis Mills in this period?
DEMECO RYANS: Overall, our offense is doing a great job just executing what Caley is calling. Caley doing a good job setting things up, calling it well, and our guys just executing. Coaches, players, everybody just being on the same page, executing the offenses the way it should.
Q. Can you address -- it took a hook and ladder on that play, big play to (indiscernible.) But that's something that you probably expecting to see in that moment.
DEMECO RYANS: Actually they ran it before, so it wasn't surprising to the coaches. They've done that play before in that situation. Just wanted to see us get the guy down before he gets across the first down marker.
So great call by them. Better execution by them. Really great play in that moment. Probably one of the only plays that could work at that particular time. So hats off to those guys the way they called that play. And they got us. They made a play on us.
Q. DeMeco, before that last drive began, I mean, I guess at that point you probably know it's going to come down to your defense making a play and getting a stop there. What's the conversation like before that drive begins and what are you telling your players in those moments?
DEMECO RYANS: With our defense I don't have to say much to the guys. Just keep doing what you been doing. That's the beauty of the guys we have, the leaders with Azeez, Will, Danielle. They know and understand the moment and they're ready for those moments. They went out and proved why they're ready for those moments.
Everybody was calmed and played together. Everybody was exactly where they were supposed to be. I'm just proud of the guys. I mean, Myles came in and did a great job. Jaylen Reed, first time he saw a lot of action for us. I thought his first game playing a lot, I thought he stepped up and played big for us as well.
So just different guys stepping in. They know what's at stake and they know it's just about doing your job and doing it with as much relentless effort as you can possibly do it, and that's how you play great defense.
Q. I know it's a long game and we been talking about the defense, but I curious, did you have a favorite play or was there a moment? Two sacks, couple interceptions.
DEMECO RYANS: The thing that stood out to me, the way our D-line hunted, of course that was great, but Calen Bullock is the guy for me. The way he went out and intercepted the ball two times; forced fumble to get us in plus territory there.
So my favorite play is the one that ended it. A lot of emotions going on on the sideline through that entire drive. For Calen to come down with the interception, that was my favorite play because it meant it was over. (Laughter.)
Q. Obviously gets you guys above .500. How good does that make you feel after the way you started the season?
DEMECO RYANS: It makes me feel really good that we won the game. It was a really great team. Buffalo did an outstanding job. Those guys are well-coached, great players.
So for me, I'm just thankful for us being able to get a win versus a really good team.
Q. I know you always talk about just that, getting the win and focused on just the win tonight. But you got to feel something about doing it on primetime. It's been a little bit of an Achilles heel for you guys. But to have a showing like this...
DEMECO RYANS: If you watch our games, they are exciting for fans that are watching. Not so much for me because they're coming down to the wire. A lot of exciting things happening. If it's a statement for people to see how we play, great. I know how our guys play and I'm happy they were able to showcase that on primetime and we came out and redeemed ourselves in primetime and came out with a big win.
Q. Coach Ryans, just wondering, I was going to say the same thing about primetime. Two Monday Night Football games we lost, but this was a primetime right before Thanksgiving. Will this be a great Thanksgiving football Thursday of sorts?
DEMECO RYANS: Yeah, it will be. First off, want to enjoy the break, enjoy long weekend. We need it. A lot of work goes into Thursday Night Football. A lot of prep, a lot of the long hours, a lot of sleepless nights.
So really just proud of our coaching staff for how they handled the week and had the guys prepared and ready to go. Now we get to sit back and watch a little football over the weekend. We'll take time to enjoy that.
Q. We saw CJ on the field pre-game. Do you have any notes on his future availability? I guess is he the starter when he is healthy?
DEMECO RYANS: Oooh, look at you trying to come with that question. Right at the end just dropping the -- we'll see what happens. No, CJ, it was great to see him back out there. He was back at practice. Just to see him back around the guys with a huge smile on his face, him feeling well, that's the most important thing.
When our guys are in the concussion protocol I want to make sure they're healthy and they're well. That's the one thing I'm most happy to see. He's well, he's himself, and ready to get back to football.
FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports