DeMeco Ryans says C.J. Stroud’s ‘I got you’ after an end-zone pick set up the Texans’ Wembley winner

DeMeco Ryans spent his postgame news conference at Wembley Stadium on Sunday talking less about the kick that beat the Jacksonville Jaguars than about the moment that nearly lost the game. The Houston Texans coach said C.J. Stroud came to him right after throwing an end-zone interception in the final minutes and told him not to worry, then backed it up by driving the offense into range for Ka’imi Fairbairn’s 49-yard field goal as time expired in a 34-31 win.

Ryans said the exchange told him everything about where his quarterback’s head was. “He responded in an outstanding way,” the coach said.

#Texans coach DeMeco Ryans after C.J. Stroud interception: 'To see his resolve, 'I got you coach, don't worry about it' He understood the mistake he made. Look at how he responded'

— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) October 18, 2026

The swing Ryans was describing

Houston had built leads of 24-14 and 31-21 in the second half on Stroud’s three touchdown passes, two to Foster Moreau and one to Jaylin Noel, plus a 25-yard touchdown run by Jawhar Jordan. Jacksonville answered with a Travis Hunter touchdown catch, and then Hunter picked off Stroud in the end zone. Cam Little converted the turnover into a 60-yard field goal that tied the game at 31 with about two minutes to go.

It was the first interception Stroud had thrown all season. On the final possession he completed both of his passes for 25 yards, and Fairbairn did the rest. Stroud finished 24 of 34 for 312 yards. Ryans described his quarterback as someone who has been playing hot all year and has not cooled off, and when asked about the fans who have started pushing Stroud’s name into the MVP conversation, he said they were right.

The coach called the afternoon “a heavyweight battle,” saying the Jaguars landed big punches and his offense hit back. He also praised Noel for continuing to produce explosive plays and said Marvin Harrison Jr., playing his first game for Houston since the trade from Arizona, made important catches in the red zone. Ryans added that the grass was slick after early rain, something the team had already noticed at its Saturday walkthrough.

'This was a heavyweight battle' #Texans coach DeMeco Ryans on overcoming #Jaguars charge 'They hit us with some punches. We just want to leave London with a win'

— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) October 18, 2026

Why the coach likes a 2-4 team

The win was Houston’s second in a row after an 0-4 start, and the first time this season the Texans have won a one-score game. Ryans took back the defensive play-calling after the fourth loss, and he framed Sunday as proof that the group has kept its footing. He said he loves how the team has responded to adversity and loves where it stands right now, while conceding that earlier in the year the Texans stumbled when games came down to the finish.

He was also generous toward the opponent, calling Jacksonville a really good team. The Jaguars fell to 4-2 but still lead the AFC South, two games ahead of Houston, and the clubs meet again in Houston in Week 15.

What comes next

The Texans fly home to host the New York Giants on Sunday, October 25, at 1:00 p.m. EDT, before their bye. Follow the matchup in the Giants at Texans Game Center.