DeMeco Ryans Assigns Blame for Loss vs Rams After Texans RB’s Costly Mistake

“It’s the NFL, right? Fourth quarter, that’s why everybody watches it,” Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans said during the post-game presser. He couldn’t help but have a defeated smile on his face. Even with a late-game push, the Houston Texans could not claim Week 1 road glory to begin their season on a high note, suffering a 14-9 defeat in a roller-coaster game against the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday. DeMeco Ryans was left frustrated but clear about what went wrong.

As the game came down to crunch time in the fourth quarter, it was the Rams who took away the clutch moments, as the Texans failed to do the one thing that they had discussed as a non-negotiable throughout the week—protect the ball. “They took the ball away two times and took it at the most critical time of the game there, as we were driving down the score. They make a play to take the football away, but we’re in striking distance. We don’t make the play, they made the play, credit to the Rams,” Ryans conceded. The most ‘critical’ of those moments came with just about 5 minutes left on the clock. 

A forced fumble by linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair and a roughing-the-passer penalty against Los Angeles took Houston deep into Rams territory after the two-minute warning. Momentum was on the Texans’ side. But then the Rams had a turnover of their own.

Dare Ogunbowale received a short pass, headed upfield, and was stripped after a gain of slightly more than five yards. The Rams recovered, stopping what had the potential to be a go-ahead drive. For Ogunbowale, it was just the second fumble lost in his eight-year career, and it couldn’t have come at a worse time. However, despite the result, the game had its own positives for the Texans.

That’s because Nick Chubb did a more than decent job on his Texans debut as he filled in for Joe Mixon, who’s injured. He finished with 13 out of 21 total carries and 60 yards, which included two big runs in the final quarter that almost got the job done for his team. On the other hand, however, C.J. Stroud never got into a rhythm, as he was sacked three times to lose 37 yards. Nico Collins, usually a go-to receiver, had 25 yards on three catches. Also, eleven penalties for 80 yards did not help. But the conversation kept coming back to that Dare Ogunbowale fumble.

DeMeco Ryans addresses critical error

”Tough moment. One of our most dependable guys,” Ryans said of Ogunbowale’s fumble. “Everyone knows how hurt he is. I know this pain.” The Texans were driving toward a possible go-ahead score when linebacker Nate Landman jarred the ball loose at the Los Angeles 18-yard line. Lineman Braden Fiske fell on the ball, handing the Rams the ball at the 24 with 1:43 remaining.

The late conversion took away any chance at redemption for Houston. After the game, Ogunbowale did not hesitate to take the blame. “Anytime the ball comes out, it’s my job to protect the ball,” he said to reporters. “I didn’t do it. So that’s unacceptable, especially in our running back room, the standards we have.” His words reinforced Ryans’ own emphasis on discipline and ball security, highlighting how much the fumble hurt within the locker room.

For a squad that is supposed to be competitive in the AFC South, it was a brutal wake-up call. Ryans has established himself as a coach who demands discipline and preparation, and Sunday provided a painful lesson in what goes wrong when execution doesn’t meet standards.

This Texans team possesses the talent, but until they can defend the football and capitalize on chances by turning them into touchdowns, close games will continue to get away.