HOUSTON – Pride, frustration and hope filled the air Sunday night at NRG Stadium as thousands of Houston Texans fans packed into a massive watch party, watching their team fall short of an AFC Championship appearance against the New England Patriots.
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Despite the loss, fans said the season proved the team’s potential.
“It was a hard-fought season,” said fan Nikki Turpeh. “We started off slow, but then we had several consecutive wins.”
Many fans pointed to the conditions in the East Coast as a factor, noting the Texans’ struggles playing in the cold.
Others said that the weather is an excuse.
“C.J. has to execute better. The whole team has to [do] better,” said fan Jose Singleton. “So hopefully you can get something changed on the offensive side of the ball. Defense is amazing."
Several fans echoed the same concern: turnovers.
“You cannot turn the ball over and win a game, especially in the playoffs,” said fan David Parkett.
While disappointment was clear, so was optimism for the future.
“This is going to make us even more hungry,” said Singleton. “We don’t want to feel like every year we just make it to the second round.”
Others expressed empathy for quarterback C.J. Stroud, noting the pressure placed on a young leader.
“He’s still a young quarterback,” said fan Emily Marin. “He needed more and it’s just such a shame to come this far and to choke like this because we’re so much better than that."
Organizers of the watch party say tickets sold out within hours.
The New England Patriots will play against the Denver Broncos next Sunday.