Houston exorcised some serious demons in Week 6, with the road win marking the Texans' first-ever victory at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough. No, that's not a typo. Houston was previously 0-7 at Gillette -- including AFC divisional round losses in January 2013 and January 2017 -- with The House That Brady and Belichick Built standing as a House of Horrors for Gary Kubiak and Bill O'Brien. The script has now flipped in the Ryans era.
Longtime Texans fans likely took pleasure in the Week 6 rout. So did one member of Houston's broadcasting contingent. Marc Vandameer, the Texans vice president of broadcasting and the team's radio announcer for SportsRadio 610, filmed a video Sunday as he exited Gillette late in the afternoon. Vandameer didn't attempt to hide his postgame glee.
"First time we came here was 18 years ago, and this is the first win," Vandameer said. "First one, in 2024, 20-point win. I gotta say, it feels fricken' great."
Houston still has a long road toward its ultimate goal of reaching Super Bowl LIX in New Orleans in February, and even in the near term, Ryans' crew has far more consequential games on hand than a non-division contest against a rookie quarterback. Yet even as the Texans keep their eyes fixed on postseason play, each subsequent win in 2024 marks a new accomplishment for the franchise. 5-1 is tied for Houston's best record in franchise history through six games. A historic win at Foxborough came on Sunday, and in Week 7, Houston hopes to notch its first win in Green Bay in 16 years.
The Texans sat in the AFC South cellar just two years ago, lacking both a sufficient starting quarterback and quality head coach. Those lean years now feel ages ago. Stroud is an MVP candidate and arguably the best non-Mahomes quarterback in the sport. Ryans is a master defensive schemer and a better culture builder. The Lombardi Trophy is guaranteed to no franchise. Houston is still as well positioned as any team league-wide to make a run to February.
Stroud and the Texans will return to the national spotlight in Week 7 with their trip to face Jordan Love and the 4-2 Packers. Kickoff from Lambeau Field is slated for Noon CT.