Jaguars-Texans Preview

Tied for the NFL's best record, the Houston Texans continue to inch closer to a second straight AFC South crown.

A matchup against the division's worst team seems unlikely to slow them down.

The Texans aim for a fifth consecutive victory over the visiting Jacksonville Jaguars, who try to avoid matching their longest losing streak in franchise history Sunday.

Houston (8-1) made quite a statement last Sunday night, pulling out a gritty 13-6 win at Chicago to remain two games ahead of second-place Indianapolis in the division. While the Texans were limited to a season-low 215 yards, their stifling defensive unit came up huge again with a season best-tying four turnovers.

"The more ways you find to win in this league, you get more confidence," coach Gary Kubiak said. "Things like that give you a chance to be a great team. There will be nothing false about what we are when we get there at the end because we've been in some tough situations. And the more we handle them, the better we get."

Giving up averages of 281.6 yards and 15.9 points to rank second and third in the league, the Texans made things especially difficult on the Jaguars (1-8) during a 27-7 road win Sept. 16, holding them to a franchise-low 117 yards.

While Houston has outscored Jacksonville by an average of 13.5 points during its run in this series, Kubiak isn't overlooking Sunday's matchup.

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BEARS VOICE: Cutler to remain sidelined by concussion

BEARS VOICE: Cutler to remain sidelined by concussion: Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler (6) walks off the field after he threw an illegal forward pass and took a late hit by Houston Texans li...

Texans stay unbeaten, hold on to beat Jets 23-17

By DENNIS WASZAK Jr. (AP Sports Writer) | The Associated Press

Houston Texans running back Arian Foster (23) celebrates after rushing for a touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game against the New York Jets, Monday, Oct. 8, 2012, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) -- After Arian Foster ran over the New York Jets all night, it was time for the defense to seal things for the Houston Texans.

A six-point lead. Three minutes left. Mark Sanchez and the Jets 84 yards away from sending the Texans to their first loss with a crowd-pleasing comeback.

Not on this night.

Kareem Jackson intercepted Sanchez with 1:51 remaining as the Texans held on for a 23-17 victory Monday night and a 5-0 start.

''That's what you dream about,'' defensive end J.J. Watt said. ''It's Monday Night Football. You're on the field. You have a chance to end the game. That's what you want. For us to go out there and do that, it's huge.''

Foster ran for 152 yards and a touchdown, and the Texans overcame some big throws by Sanchez, a few exciting moments by Tim Tebow and a 100-yard kickoff return by Joe McKnight to beat the Jets for the first time in team history. The Texans (5-0) joined the Atlanta Falcons as the NFL's only teams without a loss.

''Arian stepped up and played huge,'' quarterback Matt Schaub said. ''We're very excited to be 5-0 and get a win on the road.''

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Texans expose holes in Broncos' base defense en route to four TDs

By Jeff Legwold
The Denver Post

Broncos strong safety Mike Adams defends a pass to the Texans' Owen Daniels during the second quarter Sunday at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. (John Leyba, The Denver Post)

The Broncos entered this past offseason in search of defensive solutions for the questions that came up when opposing offenses spread them out repeatedly down the stretch during the 2011 season.

Those offenses then proceeded to run the ball and throw the ball with too much success.

However, Sunday's loss to the Texans revealed another dilemma for the local franchise. The Texans didn't spread the Broncos out. They didn't make the Broncos used their specialty looks on defense. They didn't force them to try situational players in matchups against offensive starters.

Read more: Texans expose holes in Broncos' base defense en route to four TDs - The Denver Post

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Cardinals, Falcons, Texans Remain Only Unbeaten Teams, Highlight Parity in NFL

by Doug Kyed

The 1972 Dolphins might as well break out their champagne glasses early, no one's going undefeated this year. Perhaps you could have seen the Texans as one of the final three unbeaten teams in the NFL, but Arizona and Atlanta? Not unless you're a Falcons or Cardinals homer.

The Texans have got the job done so far playing an awful schedule. The Broncos were their biggest test this week, and they still let them sneak back into the game in the fourth quarter.

The Texans have a well rounded team, who can get the job done through the air, on the ground and on defense. They have one of the best young players in the league in defensive end J.J. Watt, who after Sunday's game against the Broncos has 5 1/2 sacks on the season. That's not easy to do playing defensive end in a 3-4 alignment.

The Cardinals' defense had been carrying the team prior to Sunday's win against the Eagles when their offense perked up. Kevin Kolb stepped up against his former team and threw for 222 yards and two touchdows, while finally getting All-Pro wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald involved with 114 yards on nine receptions and one touchdown. That's not to say the defense didn't step up as well. The Arizona defense forced three fumbles, sacked Michael Vick five times and scored on a 93-yard-play.

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BRONCOS VOICE: Schaub outplays Manning, Texans top Broncos 31-25

BRONCOS VOICE: Schaub outplays Manning, Texans top Broncos 31-25: By EDDIE PELLS The Associated Press Justin Edmonds/Getty Images DENVER — For Peyton Manning 's detractors, there are no interceptions t...