Texans at Buccaneers
THE STORY: As good as Arian Foster and Ben Tate have been in the running game so far, the MVP of the Houston Texans might just be first-year defensive coordinator Wade Phillips. The veteran defensive guru has transformed the Texans defense from the 30th-ranked unit last season to No. 1 through the first nine weeks of 2011. Nearly as adept at stopping the run as it is at defending the pass, Houston is yielding an average of 274 yards. That has helped spark a three-game winning streak as the Texans have opened a 1 ½-game lead in the AFC South. Next up is a visit to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who added run-stuffer Albert Haynesworth this week in hopes of slowing Houston’s ground attack. The Bucs have dropped two straight and have been let down by inconsistent quarterback play and a defense that is allowing nearly 400 yards per game.
TV: CBS, 1 p.m. ET. LINE: Texans -3.5, O/U 45.5
ABOUT THE TEXANS (6-3): Foster ran for 124 yards and Tate added 115 as Houston set a franchise record with 261 rushing yards in last week’s 30-12 triumph over the Cleveland Browns. On the other side, the Texans allowed just 44 rushing yards. They are averaging just 11 points allowed over the last three games. Quarterback Matt Schaub has been at his best on the road this season, completing 64.1 percent of his passes for eight touchdowns and one interception in four games.
ABOUT THE BUCCANEERS (4-4): Once known for its defense, Tampa Bay is among the bottom handful of teams against the run and the pass. That is putting too much pressure on Josh Freeman, who has a 76.4 rating with five touchdowns and six interceptions over the last four games. Haynesworth, a former All-Pro defensive tackle who was released by the New England Patriots earlier in the week, should slot nicely into the Bucs’ 4-3 scheme and help not only against the run but in generating pressure on Schaub.
EXTRA POINTS:
1. Foster has gone over 100 yards from scrimmage in each of the last six games – the NFL’s longest such current streak.
2. Tampa Bay is last in the NFL in red zone efficiency, converting only 36 percent into touchdowns.
3. Texans wide receiver Andre Johnson has missed the last five games and is questionable again for Sunday.