Prisoners of the moment often get carried away with superlatives. The biggest, best, brightest, most important, greatest…always just took place five minutes ago. The need to crown things, moments, and people way too early is a microcosm of society's insatiable need for the next big thing. Everything has to be done yesterday. The new cycle is now barely 24 hours. Things change so suddenly because timing means more than anything else.

What happened to a healthy respect for history? Letting things marinate? I recently wrote about the wild chain of events that led the Texans to the postseason poised for success. Some dishes can be cooked quickly, some you have to let simmer or slow cook. This dish, however, can be done either way. The most significant game in Texans history was their week 18 win over the Colts.

The reason I say this with my whole chest is because this is a team that hasn't gone to an AFC Championship game yet. Winning Wildcard round games and losing in the Divisional round isn't special enough to be important. Sorry, not sorry. There's a bigger picture to be looked at here. If the ultimate goal is driving a car, you can't stop at getting a license.

The reason that Colts win was the biggest in franchise history is because of how much everything aligns right now for the franchise. First time head coach, rookie quarterback, first time general manager entering his fourth year and they made the playoffs by winning the division. Never done before in NFL history. With as good as DeMeco Ryans, C.J. Stroud, and Nick Caserio have all been in their respective jobs in the amount of time they've been doing them, it sets this team up for success for years to come.

Ryans is the kind of coach players want to play for. He's young and a former player. He also knows how to get the most out of his guys and also puts them in the best positions to succeed. There's a reason why guys on that 49ers defense were so sad to see him go. They knew what they were losing. Some even knew what the Texans would be getting before they even got him.

Stroud has been otherworldly. He's either the first or one of so many rookie quarterbacks to do some of the things he's done. Don't believe me? Take a listen to what Colts defensive players had to say about Stroud. He's on a rookie deal for another three seasons, a fifth year option, then he has to re-sign. Take advantage of the cap space and surround him with talent. He's making the throws and also being a leader. The way his teammates speak so highly of him says a lot.

Neither of those guys would be in Houston if it weren't for Caserio. I know he's struck out a few times, but his hits have been for extra bases. He's nailed down a plan to fit free agents on short term/affordable deals and mix them with quality draft picks. Now he has a young coach and quarterback to help attract more talent. The irony of beating the Browns in the Wildcard round (again, not the most important game in team history) and having their first rounder go to your team was poetic. Winning also makes that trade with the Cardinals that much sweeter. The whole trade with the Browns can now be measured in full after the 2024 draft. Kudos to Caserio.

That Colts win made a statement: We're here and we ain't goin nowhere! No other win in team history meant as much. Disagree? Show me where any one of those wins led to sustained success. 2015-2019 was the most successful period in team history. They had consecutive playoff appearances '15-'16 and '18-'19. Three different guys started those seasons at quarterback. Bill O'Brien was shown the door four games into the '20 season. See where I'm going with this?

That week 18 win and division title is the start to something that appears to be just underway. This isn't a coach who was given more than enough time to prove himself and couldn't get it done like Gary Kubiak and O'Brien. This isn't a journeyman quarterback brought in to be the savior like Matt Schaub or Brock Osweiller. This isn't a general manager who was past his prime or living off the efforts of others like Charley Casserly or Brian Gaine. No sir. This is a group who are about the business of football and being good men off the field. “We some family men” in my Pimp C voice. Say what you want. Believe what you will. But mark my words: this team is going to be a problem in this league for a long time to come.