HOUSTON TEXANS

DID NOT PARTICIPATE
G Antoine Caldwell (Back), ILB Tim Dobbins (Ankle)

LIMITED PARTICIPATION
CB Alan Ball (Foot), NT Shaun Cody (Back), TE Owen Daniels (Chest/Knee), T Derek Newton (Knee), OLB Brooks Reed (Groin), DE Antonio Smith (Ankle), G Wade Smith (Knee)

FULL PARTICIPATION
FB James Casey (Knee), FB Tyler Clutts (Abdominal), RB Justin Forsett (Knee), S Shiloh Keo (Ankle), WR DeVier Posey (Foot), RB Ben Tate (Foot), QB T.J. Yates (R. Elbow)

CINCINNATI BENGALS

DID NOT PARTICIPATE
S Chris Crocker (Thigh)

LIMITED PARTICIPATION
CB Jason Allen (Hamstring), DE Wallace Gilberry (Illness), HB BenJarvus Green-Ellis (Hamstring), CB Leon Hall (Hamstring), S Taylor Mays (Hamstring)

FULL PARTICIPATION
CB Terence Newman (Groin),  LB Dan Skuta (Thigh)

HOUSTON TEXANS

DID NOT PARTICIPATE
G Antoine Caldwell (Back), ILB Tim Dobbins (Ankle)

LIMITED PARTICIPATION
CB Alan Ball (Foot), NT Shaun Cody (Back), TE Owen Daniels (Chest/Knee), T Derek Newton (Knee), OLB Brooks Reed (Groin), DE Antonio Smith (Ankle), G Wade Smith (Knee)

FULL PARTICIPATION
FB Tyler Clutts (Abdominal), RB Justin Forsett (Knee), S Shiloh Keo (Ankle), WR DeVier Posey (Foot), RB Ben Tate (Foot), QB T.J. Yates (R. Elbow)

CINCINNATI BENGALS

DID NOT PARTICIPATE
DE Wallace Gilberry (Illness)

LIMITED PARTICIPATION
CB Jason Allen (Hamstring), S Chris Crocker (Thigh), HB BenJarvus Green-Ellis (Hamstring), S Taylor Mays (Hamstring), CB Terence Newman (Groin)

FULL PARTICIPATION
LB Dan Skuta (Thigh)

QB Matt Schaub
6th in completion percentage (64.3)
10^th in passing yards/attempt (7.37)
9^th in passer rating (90.7)

RB Arian Foster
1st in rushing attempts (351)
6th in rushing yards (1,424)
1st in rushing TDs (15)
8th in yards from scrimmage (1,641)
1st in scrimmage touchdowns (17)

WR Andre Johnson
4th in receptions (112)
2nd in receiving yards (1,598)

DE J.J. Watt
1st in sacks (20.5)
T-10^th in passes defensed (16)
1st in stuffs (tackles for loss on running plays) (23.5)
T-9th in forced fumbles (4)

ILB Tim Dobbins (missed 2 games, hamstring/shoulder injuries)
T-1st in opponent fumble recoveries (4)

CB Kareem Jackson, CB Johnathan Joseph, FS Danieal Manning
T-10th in INTs returned for touchdown (1)

K Shayne Graham
T-5th in field goals made (31)
5th in points, kickers (138)

P Donnie Jones
10^th in punting average (47.2)
T-10th in punts inside 20 (28)

WR Keshawn Martin
5th in punt return average (12.1)

OLB Bryan Braman (missed 2 games, hamstring injury)
T-7th in special teams tackles (16)
4th in solo special teams tackles (14)

QB Matt Schaub
7th in completion percentage (64.2)

RB Arian Foster
1st in rushing attempts (335)
5th in rushing yards (1,328)
1st in rushing TDs (14)
8th in yards from scrimmage (1,522)
1st in scrimmage touchdowns (16)

WR Andre Johnson
6th in receptions (100)
3rd in receiving yards (1,457)

DE J.J. Watt
1st in sacks (20.5)
1st in stuffs (tackles for loss on running plays) (19.5)
T-9th in forced fumbles (4)

ILB Tim Dobbins (missed 2 games, hamstring/shoulder injuries)
T-1st in opponent fumble recoveries (4)

CB Kareem Jackson
T-10th in interceptions (4)
T-9th in INTs returned for touchdown (1)

CB Johnathan Joseph, FS Danieal Manning
T-9th in INTs return for touchdown (1)

K Shayne Graham
T-8th in field goals made (28)
T-4th in points, kickers (128)

P Donnie Jones
T-10th in punts inside 20 (28)

WR Keshawn Martin
7th in punt return average (11.6)

CB Alan Ball (missed 4 games, foot injury)
T-10th in special teams tackles (13)
T-7th in solo special teams tackles (11)

OLB Bryan Braman (missed 2 games, hamstring injury)
T-8th in special teams tackles (15)
4th in solo special teams tackles (14)

QB Matt Schaub
9th in passer rating (93.8)
T-8th in passing TDs (22)
7th in completion percentage (64.7)

RB Arian Foster
1st in rushing attempts (325)
4th in rushing yards (1,313)
1st in rushing TDs (14)
5th in yards from scrimmage (1,493)
1st in scrimmage touchdowns (16)

WR Andre Johnson
6th in receptions (93)
3rd in receiving yards (1,360)

DE J.J. Watt
T-1st in sacks (19.5)
1st in stuffs (tackles for loss on running plays) (17.5)
T-9th in passes defensed (15)

ILB Tim Dobbins (missed 2 games, hamstring/shoulder injuries)
T-1st in opponent fumble recoveries (4)

CB Kareem Jackson
T-9th in interceptions (4)
T-8th in INTs returned for touchdown (1)

CB Johnathan Joseph, FS Danieal Manning
T-8th in INTs return for touchdown (1)

K Shayne Graham
T-7th in field goals made (26)
4th in points, kickers (122)

P Donnie Jones
T-10th in punts inside 20 (26)

WR Keshawn Martin
T-5th in punt return average (12.0)

CB Alan Ball (missed 3 games, foot injury)
T-8th in special teams tackles (13)
T-7th in solo special teams tackles (11)

OLB Bryan Braman (missed 2 games, hamstring injury)
T-8th in special teams tackles (13)
%4th in solo special teams tackles (12)

THE WIN

·         Clinched Houston’s second consecutive AFC South division championship.

·         Gave Houston its 12th win on the year, extending the team’s franchise-record win total.

·         Improved Houston’s home record to 6-1 on the year. The six wins matches the most in a season in team history. Houston went 6-2 at home in 2007 and 2008.

·         Was Houston’s fifth against AFC South opponents this season, which is the most in team history. Houston went 4-2 against the AFC South in 2004 and 2011.

·         Was Houston’s third consecutive win over Indianapolis at Reliant Stadium and improved the Texans’ record against the Colts to 4-17 all-time and 4-7 at Reliant Stadium.

·         Was Houston’s fourth consecutive home victory, which tied the franchise record. Houston previously won four consecutive home games from 11/18/07 – 12/30/07.

·         Improved Head Coach Gary Kubiak’s career record to 59-51 and 35-20 at Reliant Stadium.

·         Improved QB Matt Schaub’s career record with the Texans to 44-34 overall and 26-12 at Reliant Stadium.

THE TEXANS OFFENSE

·         Had a 150-yard rusher and a 150-yard receiver in the same game for the first time in franchise history. RB Arian Foster finished with 165 yards on the ground and WR Andre Johnson had 151 receiving yards.

·         Won time of possession for the 12th time this season, holding the ball for 33:06. The Texans are 11-1 this season when winning time of possession.

·         Outrushed Indianapolis 178-124. Houston improved to 11-0 this season and 48-16 under Kubiak when outrushing their opponents.

·         Ran the ball 32 times for 178 yards, improving Houston’s record to 43-5 under Kubiak when running the ball 30 or more times

·         Scored on their first possession for the sixth time this season, capping their opening drive with a 29-yard field goal from K Shayne Graham. The Texans improved to 6-0 this season when scoring on their opening possession.

·         Scored first for the eighth time this season. The Texans improved to 8-0 when opening the scoring.

·         Led after the first quarter for the eighth time this season and led at halftime and after three quarters for the tenth time in each situation. The Texans are 8-0 when leading after the opening period and 10-0 when leading at halftime and after three quarters.

THE TEXANS DEFENSE

·         Forced their 28th turnover of the season when DE J.J. Watt forced a fumble at the goal line and ILB Tim Dobbins recovered the ball.

·         Sacked Indianapolis QB Andrew Luck five times in the game. It was the 13th time in team history and second game this year in which the Texans defense registered five or more sacks. The Texans recorded a season-high six sacks in Week 13 at Tennessee (12/2).

·         Held Indianapolis to 17 points. It was the ninth game this season in which Houston’s defense held an opponent below 20 points.

·         Limited the Indianapolis offense to 272 total yards. It was the sixth game this season in which Houston has held its opponent below 300 net yards of offense.

·         Held Indianapolis to 1-of-8 (13 percent) on third-down attempts. It was the ninth game this season in which the Texans limited their opponent to a third-down conversion rate of less than 30 percent.

ILB BRYAN BRAMAN

·         Blocked his second punt of the season, setting a team-single season record, and recovered it for the first touchdown of his career in the second quarter.

BLOCKED PUNTS FOR TD, TEXANS HISTORY

Player                    Opponent                                      Date

Bryan Braman         vs. Indianapolis                     12/16/2012

Bryan Braman         vs. Green Bay                       10/14/2012

Ramon Walker         at San Francisco                       1/1/2006

Antwan Peek           at Denver                                11/7/2004

Ramon Walker         vs. New England                   11/23/2003

Jimmy McClain        at Washington                       12/22/2002

TE OWEN DANIELS

·         Extended his streak of consecutive games with a reception to 81 with an 8-yard catch in the first quarter.

ILB TIM DOBBINS

·         Recovered a fumble for the fourth time this season, setting a team single-season record, when he fell on the ball near the Houston goal line in the second quarter.

RB ARIAN FOSTER

·         Topped 100 rushing yards for the seventh time this season and the 23rd time in his career. He topped the century mark on a gain of 26 yards in the fourth quarter.

·         Finished with a season-high 165 yards on 27 carries. The yardage total was the third-highest of his career and was the third time in three starts against Indianapolis that Foster has surpassed 150 rushing yards.

ARIAN FOSTER vs. INDIANAPOLIS

Date                  Att.        Yds.        Avg.          Lg.           TD

9/12/2010            33          231           7.0            42             3

12/16/2012           27          165           6.1            31             0

12/22/2011           23          158           6.9            30             1

11/1/2010            15          102           6.8            33             1

K SHAYNE GRAHAM

·         Tied a franchise single-game record with five made field goals. His six field goal attempts were the second-most in Texans history. Kris Brown attempted seven field goals (five made) at Miami on 9/7/03.

WR ANDRE JOHNSON

·         Became the third-fastest player in NFL history to surpass 11,000 career receiving yards, doing so in his 136th career game. He topped the milestone on a 16-yard catch on the last play of the third quarter.

FASTEST PLAYERS TO 11,000 RECEIVING YARDS

Player                    Career       Gms to 11,000    Career Yds

Jerry Rice               1984-04                      131           22,895

Torry Holt                1999-09                      131           13,382

Andre Johnson      2003-12                      136           11,016

Michael Irvin            1988-99                      137           11,904

Randy Moss*          1998-12                      141           15,184

* Moss plays later tonight

·         Joined New England WR Wes Welker as the only players in NFL history to have 16 career games with 10 or more catches and 100 or more yards.

MOST GAMES, 10+ CATCHES, 100+ YARDS

Player                    GP                10-100 Gms     Pct. Of GP

Andre Johnson      136                              16          11.76%

Wes Welker*           137                              16          11.68%

Jerry Rice               303                              15            4.95%

Marvin Harrison       190                              14            7.37%

Brandon Marshall    105                              14          13.33%

* Welker plays later tonight

·         Extended his franchise-record streak of consecutive games with a reception to 96 with a 9-yard catch on the first play of the game.

·         Caught his fourth touchdown pass of the season when he hauled in a 3-yard pass from QB Matt Schaub in the first quarter.

·         Caught four passes for 74 yards and a touchdown in the first quarter. The yardage total was tied for the second-most in the opening quarter in a game in his career. He previously had 74 yards on three catches earlier this year vs. Jacksonville (11/18). His career high for first-quarter yardage is 77 yards vs. Seattle on 12/13/09.

·         Passed WR Joey Galloway (10,950) for 28th on the NFL’s all-time receiving yardage list. He entered the game needing 86 yards to pass Galloway and did so on his fifth catch of the game, a 5-yard gain in the second quarter.

·         Surpassed 100 receiving yards for the 43rd time in his career and the fifth time this season, doing so on a 22-yard catch in the second quarter, his sixth catch of the game.

·         Topped the century mark before halftime for the eighth time in his career and the second time this season, finishing the half with seven receptions for 107 yards. He previously had seven catches for 132 yards in the first half in Week 11 vs. Jacksonville (11/18).

C CHRIS MYERS

·         Started his 78th consecutive game for the Texans, moving him past DE/OLB Mario Williams for third on the franchise’s all-time consecutive starts list.

WR DeVIER POSEY

·         Finished with career highs in receptions and yards, catching three passes for 46 yards. He entered the game with one career reception for 19 yards, which came last week at New England (12/10).

FS GLOVER QUIN

·         Knocked down a pass on Indianapolis’ first drive to force a punt. The pass defensed was his 14th of the season, matching a career high. He also had 14 passes defensed in 2010.

QB MATT SCHAUB

·         Threw his 120th career touchdown pass and his 22nd of the season when he hit WR Andre Johnson for a 3-yard score in the first quarter.

·         Finished with a passer rating of 109.7 after completing 23-of-31 passes for 261 yards with one touchdown and no interceptions. Schaub has had a passer rating of better than 100 in six of his seven home starts this season.

DE ANTONIO SMITH

·         Sacked Indianapolis QB Andrew Luck for a 9-yard loss in the first quarter. The sack gave Smith 6.0 on the season, leaving him a half-sack shy of his career high of 6.5 set in 2011.

DE J.J. WATT

·         Now has 19.5 sacks and 15 passes defensed on the season. His 34.5 combined sacks and passes defensed are the most by a player in since 1991 when passes defensed became an official statistic. Hall of Fame DB Rod Woodson had the previous high with 32.0 (30 passes defensed, 2.0 sacks) in 1993.

SINGLE-SEASON COMBINED SACKS AND PASSES DEFENSED (since 1991)

Player, Pos                  Team      Year   Sacks        PD       Total

J.J. Watt, DE                Hou        2012      19.5         15         34.5

Rod Woodson, CB*       Pit          1993        2.0         30         32.0

Darrelle Revis, CB#       NYJ        2009        0.0         31         31.0

* Named Defensive Player of the Year

# Runner-up for Defensive Player of the Year

·         Increased his sack total to 19.5 on the year, which is the sixth-most in NFL history by a defensive lineman and is tied for the ninth-most in League history overall.

MOST SACKS, SEASON, DEFENSIVE LINEMEN

Player                    Team      Year   Sacks

Michael Strahan       NYG       2001      22.5

Jared Allen              Min         2011      22.0

Mark Gastineau       NYJ        1984      22.0

Chris Doleman        Min         1989      21.0

Reggie White          Phi         1987      21.0

J.J. Watt                 Hou        2012      19.5

·         Tied his career high with his third sack of the game when he tackled Luck for a 4-yard loss in the fourth quarter. Watt previously had 3.0 sacks in Week 12 at Detroit (11/22). He has seven games this season with more than 1.0 sack.

·         Forced a fumble for the third consecutive game when he jarred the ball out of Indianapolis RB Mewelde Moore’s arms at the goal line in the second quarter.

·         Led the team and tied a career high with 10 tackles, all solo stops, including six tackles for loss. He also had four quarterback hits and one forced fumble.

MISCELLANEOUS STATS

·         Inactive players for the Texans were CB Alan Ball, G Antoine Caldwell, T Andrew Gardner, RB Jonathan Grimes, NT Terrell McClain, OLB Brooks Reed and G Cody White.

·         Captains for the Texans were ILB Tim Dobbins, WR Andre Johnson, FS Shiloh Keo, C Chris Myers, QB Matt Schaub, DE Antonio Smith and DE J.J. Watt. Schaub, Johnson and Smith went to midfield for the pregame coin toss.

·         The Texans won the toss and elected to receive the opening kickoff.

·         Total paid attendance was 71,702. That was tied for the second-highest regular season attendance in team history, matching the total from Week 6 earlier this year vs. Green Bay (10/14).

THE TEXANS

·         Scored on their first possession for the sixth time this season, capping their opening drive with a 29-yard field goal from K Shayne Graham. The Texans are 5-0 thus far this season when scoring on their opening possession.

·         Scored first for the eighth time this season. The Texans are 7-0 thus far when opening the scoring.

·         Led after the first quarter for the eighth time this season. The Texans are 7-0 this season when leading after the opening period.

·         Led at halftime for the tenth time this season. The Texans are 9-0 this season when leading at halftime.

·         Forced their 28th turnover of the season when DE J.J. Watt forced a fumble at the goal line and ILB Tim Dobbins recovered the ball.

OLB BRYAN BRAMAN

·         Blocked his second punt of the season, setting a team-single season record, and recovered it for the first touchdown of his career in the second quarter.

TE OWEN DANIELS

·         Extended his streak of consecutive games with a reception to 81 with an 8-yard catch in the first quarter.

ILB TIM DOBBINS

·         Recovered a fumble for the fourth time this season, setting a team single-season record, when he fell on the ball near the Houston goal line in the second quarter.

WR ANDRE JOHNSON

·         Extended his franchise-record streak of consecutive games with a reception to 96 with a 9-yard catch on the first play of the game.

·         Caught his fourth touchdown pass of the season when he hauled in a 3-yard pass from QB Matt Schaub in the first quarter.

·         Caught four passes for 74 yards and a touchdown in the first quarter. The yardage total was tied for the second-most in the opening quarter in a game in his career. He previously had 74 yards on three catches earlier this year vs. Jacksonville (11/18). His career high for first-quarter yardage is 77 yards vs. Seattle on 12/13/09.

·         Caught seven passes for 102 yards for his 43rd career 100-yard game and his fifth of the season.

C CHRIS MYERS

·         Started his 78th consecutive game for the Texans, moving him past DE/OLB Mario Williams for third on the franchise’s all-time consecutive starts list.

WR DEVIER POSEY

·         Caught a pass for the second week in a row when he hauled in a 36-yard throw from QB Matt Schaub in the second quarter. Posey had a 19-yard catch in Week 14 at New England (12/10).

FS GLOVER QUIN

·         Knocked down a pass on Indianapolis’ first drive to force a punt. The pass defensed was his 14th of the season, matching a career high. He also had 14 passes defensed in 2010.

QB MATT SCHAUB

·         Threw his 120th career touchdown pass and his 22nd of the season when he hit WR Andre Johnson for a 3-yard score in the first quarter.

DE ANTONIO SMITH

·         Sacked Indianapolis QB Andrew Luck for a 9-yard loss in the first quarter. The sack gave Smith 6.0 on the season, leaving him a half-sack shy of his career high of 6.5 set in 2011.

DE J.J. WATT

·         Sacked Indianapolis QB Andrew Luck for a 15-yard loss in the first quarter, raising his season total to 17.5.

·         Forced a fumble for the third consecutive game when he jarred the ball out of Indianapolis RB Mewelde Moore’s arms at the goal line in the second quarter.

·         Sacked Luck for a 3-yard loss in the second quarter, giving him his seventh multi-sack game this season.

MISCELLANEOUS STATS

·         Inactive players for the Texans were CB Alan Ball, G Antoine Caldwell, T Andrew Gardner, RB Jonathan Grimes, NT Terrell McClain, OLB Brooks Reed and G Cody White.

·         Captains for the Texans were ILB Tim Dobbins, WR Andre Johnson, FS Shiloh Keo, C Chris Myers, QB Matt Schaub, DE Antonio Smith and DE J.J. Watt. Schaub, Johnson and Smith went to midfield for the pregame coin toss.

·         The Texans won the toss and elected to receive the opening kickoff.

HOUSTON TEXANS

OUT
None

DID NOT PARTICIPATE
CB Alan Ball (Foot), T Derek Newton (Knee), OLB Brooks Reed (Groin)

LIMITED PARTICIPATION
NT Shaun Cody (Ribs/Back), ILB Tim Dobbins (Shoulder), TE Garrett Graham (Concussion), ILB Bradie James (Hamstring), CB Johnathan Joseph (Hamstring/Groin), DE Antonio Smith (Ankle), G Wade Smith (Knee/Ribs)

FULL PARTICIPATION
OLB Bryan Braman (Neck), G Antoine Caldwell (Hamstring), DE Jared Crick (Neck), TE Owen Daniels (Back), WR Lestar Jean (Knee), OLB Whitney Mercilus (Hip), OLB Jesse Nading (Foot), WR DeVier Posey (Knee/Hamstring), ILB Darryl Sharpton (Toe), RB Ben Tate (Hamstring), QB T.J. Yates (R. Elbow)

NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS

OUT
None

DID NOT PARTICIPATE
TE Rob Gronkowski (Forearm/Hip)

LIMITED PARTICIPATION
DT Ron Brace (Elbow), S Patrick Chung (Shoulder/Hamstring), G Dan Connolly (Back), TE Aaron Hernandez (Ankle), LB Dont’a Hightower (Hamstring), DE Chandler Jones (Ankle), WR Brandon Lloyd (Knee), DT Kyle Love (Knee), G Logan Mankins (Ankle/Calf), OL Nick McDonald (Shoulder), LB Brandon Spikes (Knee/Ankle), OT Sebastian Vollmer (Back/Knee), WR Wes Welker (Ankle)

FULL PARTICIPATION
LB Jerod Mayo (Elbow)

OUT
None

DID NOT PARTICIPATE
CB Alan Ball (Foot), OLB Brooks Reed (Groin)

LIMITED PARTICIPATION
G Antoine Caldwell (Hamstring), NT Shaun Cody (Ribs/Back), ILB Tim Dobbins (Shoulder), TE Garrett Graham (Concussion), ILB Bradie James (Hamstring), CB Johnathan Joseph (Hamstring/Groin), T Derek Newton (Knee), DE Antonio Smith (Ankle), G Wade Smith (Knee/Ribs)

FULL PARTICIPATION
DE Jared Crick (Neck), TE Owen Daniels (Back), WR Lestar Jean (Knee), OLB Whitney Mercilus (Hip), OLB Jesse Nading (Foot), WR DeVier Posey (Knee/Hamstring), RB Ben Tate (Hamstring), QB T.J. Yates (R. Elbow)

NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS

OUT
None

DID NOT PARTICIPATE
TE Rob Gronkowski (Forearm/Hip), OL Nick McDonald (Shoulder)

LIMITED PARTICIPATION
DT Ron Brace (Elbow), S Patrick Chung (Shoulder/Hamstring), G Dan Connolly (Back), TE Aaron Hernandez (Ankle), LB Dont’a Hightower (Hamstring), DE Chandler Jones (Ankle), WR Brandon Lloyd (Knee), DT Kyle Love (Knee), G Logan Mankins (Ankle/Calf), LB Brandon Spikes (Knee/Ankle), OT Sebastian Vollmer (Back/Knee), WR Wes Welker (Ankle)

FULL PARTICIPATION
LB Jerod Mayo (Elbow)

THE WIN

·         Secured the franchise’s second consecutive playoff berth.

·         Gave Houston a franchise-record 11 wins on the season.

·         Extended Houston’s franchise-record road winning streak to six consecutive games.

·         Extended Houston’s winning streak to six games, which is the second-longest streak in team history behind a seven-game win streak in 2011.

·         Gave Houston a sweep of Tennessee for the second time in team history and the first time since 2004 and gave the Texans their third win in four years at LP Field.

·         Improved Houston’s record against AFC South foes to 4-0 on the season.

·         Improved head coach Gary Kubiak’s record to 58-50 overall, 18-22 against the AFC South and 24-30 on the road.

THE TEXANS OFFENSE

·         Scored on their opening possession for the fifth time this season and scored a touchdown on their first possession for the fourth time on the year.

·         Scored first for the seventh time this season.

·         Led after the first quarter for the seventh time this season, at halftime for the ninth time and after three quarters for the ninth time.

·         Scored a touchdown following ILB Tim Dobbins’ interception in the second quarter and a field goal following OLB Whitney Mercilus’ fumble recovery in the third, giving Houston 67 points off of 26 takeaways on the year.

·         Held the ball for more than 30:00 for the 13th consecutive game. Houston had the ball for 33:48 in the game.

·         Ran the 35 times for 125 yards, improving Houston’s record to 42-5 under Kubiak when running the ball 30 or more times.

·         Outrushed the Titans 125-89. Houston improved to 10-0 this season and 47-16 under Kubiak when outrushing their opponents.

THE TEXANS DEFENSE

·         Established a franchise record with six takeaways in the game. Houston previously forced five turnovers in a game five times, most recently on 11/23/08 at Cleveland.

·         Forced turnovers on consecutive plays for the second time this season. Houston forced turnovers on three consecutive defensive plays in the season opener vs. Miami (9/9).

·         Established a season high with 6.0 sacks in the game. Houston’s defense registered 4.0 sacks vs. Tennessee (9/30), in Week 7 vs. Baltimore (10/21) and in Week 9 vs. Buffalo (11/4). The 6.0 sacks were tied for the second-most in team history and were the most since Houston tied a franchise record with 7.0 at Jacksonville on 11/27/11.

·         Held Tennessee to 10 points in the game. It was the eighth time this season that the Texans held their opponents below 20 points. Houston improved to 8-0 this season and 40-2 under Kubiak when allowing fewer than 20 points.

·         Limited the Titans to 4-of-15 (27 percent) on third down attempts. It was the eighth time this season that the Texans have held their opponent below 30 percent on third downs.

CB ROC CARMICHAEL

·         Saw the most extensive playing time of his career and finished the game with a career-high four tackles, including three solos, and one pass defensed.

FB JAMES CASEY

·         Caught his third touchdown pass of the season on a 5-yard throw from QB Matt Schaub in the first quarter. It was Casey’s fourth career touchdown catch.

NT SHAUN CODY

·         Registered a pass defensed in his second consecutive game when he tipped a pass in the second quarter. The ball was intercepted by ILB Tim Dobbins to set up a touchdown.

TE OWEN DANIELS

·         Extended his streak of consecutive games with a reception to 79 with a 14-yard catch on the first play of the game.

·         Caught his 50th pass of the season on a gain of 19 yards in the third quarter. It marked the fourth time in his career that Daniels has caught at least 50 passes.

·         Started his 87th game, which ties him with WR Kevin Walter and moves them each past former Texans RT Eric Winston for third on the team’s all-time games started list.

ILB TIM DOBBINS

·         Registered his third career interception and his first as a Texan when he picked off a tipped pass in the second quarter and returned it 7 yards to the Tennessee 3-yard line.

·         Recovered a fumble in the fourth quarter. It was his third fumble recovery of the season and the sixth of his career.

RB ARIAN FOSTER

·         Scored his 13th rushing touchdown of the season when he reached the end zone on a 2-yard run in the second quarter. The score tied him with RB Domanick Williams’ total from 2004 for the second-most in a season in team history. Foster holds the franchise record with 16 rushing touchdowns in 2010.

K SHAYNE GRAHAM

·         Scored his 100th point of the season when he hit his third extra point of the game. It marked his sixth career 100-point season and his first since 2007.

·         Connected on a 50-yard field goal in the third quarter. It was his 11th career field goal of 50 yards or longer and his second as a Texan.

CB BRANDON HARRIS

·         Led the team in tackles with a career-high six, including five solos. He also had a career-high two passes defensed.

WR LESTAR JEAN

·         Caught his first career touchdown pass when he took a quick throw and turned it up the sideline 54 yards to the end zone in the first quarter. The 54-yard catch was the longest of his career, bettering his previous long of 46 yards

WR ANDRE JOHNSON

·         Extended his franchise-record streak of consecutive games with a reception to 94 with a 15-yard catch in the first quarter.

·         Moved into the top 30 on the NFL’s all-time receiving yardage list with his first catch of the game, a gain of 15 yards in the first quarter. He entered the game needing three yards to pass Stanley Morgan (10,716).

P DONNIE JONES

·         Punted 10 times, which tied for the second-most in a game in team history. His 10 punts were the most by a Texans punter since Brett Hartmann had 10 at Jacksonville on 11/27/11. The team record is 11 punts by Chad Stanley on 12/1/02 at Indianapolis.

·         Had a season-high five punts downed inside the Tennessee 20-yard line. That is one shy of his career high of six, set on 12/6/09 at Chicago as a member of the St. Louis Rams.

·         Booted a 55-yard punt in the second quarter. He has now hit at least one punt of 55 yards or longer in 10 of Houston’s 12 games this season.

·         Boomed a 64-yard punt in the third quarter. It was his fourth punt of the season of longer than 60 yards.

WR KESHAWN MARTIN

·         Returned a first-quarter punt 42 yards. It was his second return of more than 40 yards this season. He had a 71-yard return in Week 11 vs. Jacksonville (11/18).

OLB WHITNEY MERCILUS

·         Made his first career start at WLB and finished the game with two tackles, both of which were sacks, and a fumble recovery.

·         Passed DE Mario Williams (4.5, 2006) for fifth and tied LB Brian Cushing (5.0, 2009) for fourth on the franchise’s rookie sack list. He is one sack shy of the club rookie record of 6.0 set by OLB Brooks Reed in 2011.

·         Registered his fourth sack of the season and his fourth in five games when he dropped Tennessee QB Jake Locker for a 1-yard loss in the second quarter.

·         Recovered a fumble in the third quarter, the first of his career.

·         Registered his second sack of the game and fifth of the season when he dropped Locker for a loss of 5 yards in the third quarter.

FS GLOVER QUIN

·         Intercepted his second pass of the season and the fifth of his career when he picked off Tennessee QB Jake Locker on the final play of the second quarter.

ILB BARRETT RUUD

·         Registered his first sack as a Texan and the sixth of his career when he dropped Tennessee QB Jake Locker for a loss of 8 yards in the third quarter. It was Ruud’s first sack since 12/26/10 vs. Seattle as a member of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

QB MATT SCHAUB

·         Improved his record as the Texans’ starting quarterback to 43-33 overall and 18-21. He led the Texans to victory for the 15th time in his last 16 starts and won his eighth consecutive start on the road.

·         Threw his 20th touchdown pass of the season when he hit WR Lestar Jean for a 54-yard catch and run on Houston’s first possession. It marked the third season in his career in which Schaub has thrown 20 or more touchdowns.

·         Threw his second touchdown pass of the game when he hit FB James Casey on a 5-yard scoring toss in the first quarter, giving Schaub his sixth multi-touchdown performance of the season.

·         Surpassed 3,000 passing yards for the fourth time in his career. He topped the milestone on a 21-yard pass to WR Andre Johnson in the second quarter. He entered the game with 2,855 yards on the season.

·         Picked up 8 yards on a run in the second quarter. It was his longest carry of the season and his longest since 11/14/10 when he had an 8-yard scamper at Jacksonville.

·         Caught his first career pass when he grabbed a tipped pass. He was tackled for a loss of 6 yards on the play.

ILB DARRYL SHARPTON

·         Intercepted a pass for the first time in his career when he grabbed a deflected pass in the fourth quarter. He returned the interception for a 2-yard loss.

DE ANTONIO SMITH

·         Recovered a fumble for the first time this season and the 11th time this season when he scooped up a loose ball in the second quarter.

·         Notched his 20th sack as a Texan and his fifth of the season when he dropped Tennessee QB Jake Locker for a 9-yard loss in the third quarter.

·         Forced a fumble in the third quarter that was recovered by OLB Whitney Mercilus. It was Smith’s second forced fumble of the season and the ninth of his career.

WR KEVIN WALTER

·         Started his 87th game, which ties him with TE Owen Daniels and moves them each past former Texans RT Eric Winston for third on the team’s all-time games started list.

·         Surpassed 4,000 receiving yards as a Texan on an 18-yard catch in the fourth quarter, becoming the third player in franchise history to reach the milestone along with WR Andre Johnson and TE Owen Daniels. He entered the game with 3,976 yards with the team.

DE J.J. WATT

·         Joined Hall of Fame DE Reggie White as the only players in NFL history to record 15 or more sacks and 13 passes defensed in a season when he sacked Tennessee QB Jake Locker for a 6-yard loss in the second quarter. The sack gave him 15.5 on the year to go along with 15 passes defensed. White had 15.0 sacks and 13 passes defensed in 1991.

·         Set a League record for the most passes defensed in a season by a defensive lineman. Watt now has 15 passes defensed on the year, bettering the previous mark of 13 by Hall of Fame DE Reggie White in 1991.

·         Tipped a pass on the final play of the second quarter, leading to an interception by FS Glover Quin. It was the eighth takeaway that Watt has been involved in this season. He also has two fumble recoveries and the forced fumble he caused earlier in the game.

·         Forced the first fumble of his career when he knocked the ball out of the arms of Tennessee RB Chris Johnson in the second quarter.

MISCELLANEOUS NOTES

·         Inactive players for the Texans were CB Alan Ball, G Antoine Caldwell, ILB Bradie James, CB Johnathan Joseph, RT Derek Newton, OLB Brooks Reed and G Cody White.

·         Captains for the Texans were ILB Tim Dobbins, WR Andre Johnson, FS Shiloh Keo, C Chris Myers, QB Matt Schaub, DE Antonio Smith and DE J.J. Watt. Schaub and Johnson went to midfield for the pregame coin toss.

·         The Texans won the toss and elected to receive the opening kickoff.