CBSSports.com wire reports
Jan. 1, 2012

HOUSTON — The Houston Texans talked all week about the importance of beating Tennessee on Sunday to enter the playoffs on the right track.

In the end, coach Gary Kubiak decided keeping his key players healthy entering next week was more important than a victory.

Matt Hasselbeck threw two touchdown passes and the Titans kept alive their playoff hopes briefly with a 23-22 victory over Houston on Sunday after the Texans failed to convert a 2-point conversion attempt that would have won the game.

Houston (10-6) will head into its first postseason on a three-game losing streak. The Texans were locked into the No. 3 seed in the AFC playoffs and Kubiak played mostly reserves in the second half.

“You would never go for two there in any other situation … but I had to get them to next week,” Kubiak said.

The Titans (9-7) earned their first winning record since 2008 in Mike Munchak’s first season, but their postseason fate depended on the outcome of later games in Cincinnati, Oakland and Denver.

Tennessee got some early help when the New York Jets lost in Miami, but was knocked out of playoff contention when the Broncos lost to Kansas City in a late game.

Rookie starter T.J. Yates left the game after one series and was replaced by Jake Delhomme. Kubiak said Yates had a bruised left shoulder but could’ve returned if necessary.

“Obviously, I didn’t want him to go back in the game,” Kubiak said. “We’ll know better where we’re at (Monday) at this point.”

The 36-year-old Delhomme, signed Nov. 29 in the wake of season-ending injuries to starter Matt Schaub and backup Matt Leinart, completed 18 of 28 passes, including a 5-yard touchdown pass to Bryant Johnson with 14 seconds left.

Kubiak called for a 2-point conversion at the end. But after a false start penalty, backup center Thomas Austin snapped the ball over Delhomme’s head and the game was over.

The Texans certainly weren’t happy about losing, but won’t spend any time thinking about what happened on Sunday.

“We’re ripping off the rear-view mirror,” tight end Joel Dreessen said. “The regular season is over with, and the Texans are officially invited to the postseason. We open up at home, in one week. And that’s our focus right now. It’s a whole new season, and we have to play at our best.”

Chris Johnson ran for 61 yards, and Rob Bironas kicked three field goals for Tennessee. The Titans needed a Bengals loss and victories by Oakland and Denver to earn a postseason rematch with the Texans back in Houston next week.

The Texans had other concerns after the loss.

Yates was sacked on Houston’s first snap by Jurrell Casey and Derrick Morgan. He completed passes to Joel Dreessen and James Casey for first downs, before Tate and Derrick Ward started alternating touches for the rest of the drive.

Tate finished that drive with a touchdown, but Yates came off the field favoring his left shoulder and went to the locker room.

Titans defensive end Dave Ball sacked Delhomme and knocked the ball loose, and safety Chris Hope recovered at the Texans 33. Hasselbeck threw a 25-yard pass to Jared Cook, then found Donnie Avery in the corner of the end zone to move Tennessee in front.

Delhomme threw a 16-yard pass to Andre Johnson to get Houston moving again. Johnson caught two passes and sat out the second half after missing the previous three games with a strained left hamstring.

Neil Rackers kicked a 52-yard field goal with 1:09 left in the first half, but Bironas booted a 43-yarder on the final play before the break to put Tennessee up 13-10. Bironas extended his own NFL record by kicking a field goal of 40 yards or longer for the 10th consecutive game.

The Texans rallied to tie it at 16-all, but Kubiak had most of his defensive starters on the bench in the fourth quarter. Nate Washington got behind rookie cornerback Brandon Harris and third-string safety Quintin Demps for a 23-yard touchdown with 4:31 remaining.

Texans linebacker Jesse Nading recovered a fumble by Ahmard Hall with less than two minutes left, and Delhomme completed 5 of 6 passes to drive Houston for the late touchdown.

Notes: Andre Johnson played about 20 snaps. Kubiak said he isn’t ready to play 70 plays next week, but that he should be able to go 45-50. … Kubiak said Houston OLB Bryan Braman has a stinger. … Defensive coordinator Wade Phillips worked from the press box after missing two games following kidney and gall bladder surgery.eld favoring his left shoulder and went to the locker room.

Titans defensive end Dave Ball sacked Delhomme and knocked the ball loose, and safety Chris Hope recovered at the Texans 33. Hasselbeck threw a 25-yard pass to Jared Cook, then found Donnie Avery in the corner of the end zone to move Tennessee in front.

Delhomme threw a 16-yard pass to Andre Johnson to get Houston moving again. Johnson caught two passes and sat out the second half after missing the previous three games with a strained left hamstring.

Neil Rackers kicked a 52-yard field goal with 1:09 left in the first half, but Bironas booted a 43-yarder on the final play before the break to put Tennessee up 13-10. Bironas extended his own NFL record by kicking a field goal of 40 yards or longer for the 10th consecutive game.

The Texans rallied to tie it at 16-all, but Kubiak had most of his defensive starters on the bench in the fourth quarter. Nate Washington got behind rookie cornerback Brandon Harris and third-string safety Quintin Demps for a 23-yard touchdown with 4:31 remaining.

Texans linebacker Jesse Nading recovered a fumble by Ahmard Hall with less than two minutes left, and Delhomme completed 5 of 6 passes to drive Houston for the late touchdown.

Notes

• Hall and Titans LT Mike Otto left with “probable” concussions, Munchak said. WR Damian Williams has a rib injury, Munchak said, and would be re-evaluated Monday.
• Chris Johnson is the third player in Titans history to reach 1,000 yards rushing in at least four straight seasons, joining Eddie George (1996-2000) and Earl Campbell (1978-81)..
• Bironas extended his own NFL record by kicking a field goal of at least 40 yards in his 10th consecutive game.
• The Texans dropped to 5-1 in season finales under Kubiak.
• Defensive coordinator Wade Phillips worked from the press box after missing two games following kidney and gall bladder surgery.

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Wade Phillips, the veteran coach who has turned the Houston defence into the NFL’s best, is taking medical leave to have surgery to address a kidney condition this week.

The Texans said Wednesday that the 64-year-old Phillips is expected to return this season, which will include the expansion team’s first playoff game. But his leave is just the latest roadblock for the Texans, who’ve continued to win despite losing a key player to an injury every week.

Linebackers coach Reggie Herring will run the defence for Houston (10-3) in Sunday’s game against Carolina (4-9). Herring was Phillips’ linebackers coach in Dallas from 2008-10, then joined Houston’s staff after Phillips was hired on Jan. 5.

Phillips was expected to speak to reporters after Wednesday’s practice.

Outside linebacker Mario Williams (torn chest muscle) and quarterbacks Matt Schaub (right foot injury) and Matt Leinart (broken left collarbone) are all out for the season, and star receiver Andre Johnson has a strained left hamstring after missing six games with an injury to his right hamstring. On Monday, coach Gary Kubiak said starting right guard Mike Brisiel had surgery on his broken right leg.

But Phillips has probably contributed more to the Texans’ success this season than anyone.

Fired as the coach of the Dallas Cowboys in the middle of last season, Phillips has talked about feeling rejuvenated with the Texans. He took over the league’s worst 2010 defence and implemented a 3-4 alignment before the season.

Houston leads the league in total defense at 275 yards per game. The Texans rank fourth in rushing defense at 91.5 yards per game and third in pass defense at 183.5 yards per game, and have held each of their last seven opponents below 20 points.

The players credit Phillips with not only restoring confidence to the defence, but also creating a scheme that is fun to play.

“We’re playing good defence all over,” two-time Pro Bowl linebacker DeMeco Ryans said recently. “Of course it feels good, to be able to get out there and stop some people. You’re definitely not worried about people scoring on you because you know everybody is being accountable. Everybody’s holding up their end and knowing what they’re supposed to do, so you’re comfortable when you’re out there.”

Under Phillips’ guidance, several Texans are having career years.

Linebacker Brian Cushing has regained his form from 2009, when he was named the Associated Press Defensive Rookie of the Year. He leads the Texans with 86 tackles, and also has two interceptions and three sacks.

Outside linebacker Connor Barwin leads the team with 9 ½ sacks after moving into Williams’ role, and the same position where DeMarcus Ware excelled under Phillips in Dallas. Barwin, a converted defensive end, has 25 quarterback hits and seven pass break-ups. He had a franchise-record four sacks in Houston’s 20-13 win at Jacksonville on Nov. 27.

Rookie defensive end J.J. Watt has 4 ½ sacks and two fumble recoveries and leads the defensive line with 43 tackles, and rookie linebacker Brooks Reed, pressed into action after Williams was hurt, has already set a franchise record for a first-year player with six sacks.

Phillips has clearly found a new home in Houston under coach Gary Kubiak. He ran the defense in Denver from 1989-92, overlapping Kubiak’s playing career as John Elway’s backup for the Broncos, but their history goes back even further.

Phillips and Kubiak first met in the late 1970s, when Kubiak was a ball boy and Wade was an assistant for the Houston Oilers, who were coached by Wade’s father, Bum.

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Preseason Opener at Houston Texans
Today, 8 p.m.
Reliant Stadium, Houston
TV: ESPN
Radio: ESPN 1050-AM
Line: -x

THREE POSITIONS TO WATCH

1. Defensive Line
Out with the old (Shaun Ellis) and in with the new (Muhammad Wilkerson). Jets coach Rex Ryan said he wouldn’t have drafted the defensive end out of Temple if he didn’t have the intention of starting him, and tonight is our first look at how ready Wilkerson is. In practice, he’s been going up against D’Brickashaw Ferguson, the Pro Bowl left tackle. Off the field, he’s been glued to DVD highlights of Trevor Pryce, clips that the defensive staff put together for Wilkerson to watch. As the evening wanes, we’ll also get a look at third-round pick Kenrick Ellis, who seems to be the second or third guy off the bench as it is, and could work himself into the regular rotation. Ropati Pitoitua, a 6-8, 315-pound mammoth who missed last season with an Achilles’ injury will also see significant time.

2. Wide Receiver
Aside from Santonio Holmes, all the mainstays from last year are gone and Plaxico Burress and Derrick Mason serve as the new normal, though Burress will be stuck in New York nursing his swollen ankle tonight. Instead, it will be a good opportunity to see how Mason and Santonio Holmes play off one another on opposite sides of the offense. It’s been tough sledding for Holmes thus far in practice but Mason seems to be catching everything in sight. The team is high on rookie Jeremy Kerley and undrafted free agent Courtney Smith (6-5, 230). Verona native Dan DePalma will also be in the mix late in the game.

3. Offensive Line
On Thursday, Nick Mangold sent a terrifying jolt through the coaching staff when he was face down on the practice field with a stinger. That being said, the question of who can be next in line to replace him — or any offensive lineman — can never be far off Ryan’s mind. Vladimir Ducasse has been working at both tackle and guard this preseason, and Rob Turner, a returner from last year, has worked at guard and center.

Some other names to look for will be Chris Stewart, the 6-5, 351-pound undrafted guard out of Notre Dame who has turned some heads in camp so far, along with Pete Clifford, who saw a little bit of time with the first team during drills. Matt Kroul, who spent the last eight years of his career (including high school and college) on the defensive line, has flipped to the offensive line and will likely see reps with the third team.

FOUR DOWNS WITH …
QB Mark Sanchez

1. How’s the offense going to look?
I think that one of the most important parts for our offense is not to get frustrated, to understand that the defense is usually ahead of the offense at this point and they are doing a really good job. I think the day before our break, Tuesday, we had a great day on offense. It started to turn the tide a little bit, so that’s good. We wanted to keep it competitive.

2. You ready to see Houston, a change of pace?
Absolutely, and you see your own players so many times and see their looks so many times that you start to over-think things, you start to try and figure out ways to make your plays better when you’re just trying to force stuff, and that’s natural in camp. Now things will be much more clear, just having a different color facemask to look at is nice.

3. What about Plaxico? Do you have enough time to build up chemistry?
I think, what Plax and I talked about is, as soon as he’s ready to go we’ll just have to hit it hard. Taking extra time to meet, taking extra time to watch film together, that stuff is paying off right now and now we have to practice it on the field. There’s plenty of time to get things right we just have to make sure we don’t waste the time once he gets back.

4. But you did have time to work a little with your newest weapon, Derrick Mason. What do you think about him?
He’s so smart and he runs around like he’s 20 years old but he’s 37. He has a positive attitude, he’s smiling and that energy kind of wears off and reminds you of how much this guy loves the game. And then you get him in there and he’s competing his butt off, asking questions, it’s an all out battle for him every play.

Conor Orr: corr@starledger.com

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