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Struggling Culpepper looks to get untracked against Texans

Sep 26, 2006 - 9:32 PM Miami (1-2) at Houston (0-3) Sunday 1:00 pm EDT

HOUSTON (Ticker) -- If Daunte Culpepper is going to turn things around, this may be the week to do it.

The struggling Culpepper looks to get the Miami Dolphins' offense untracked Sunday when they face the winless Houston Texans.

Coming off major knee surgery last November, Culpepper has looked nothing like a three-time Pro Bowl quarterback through three contests.

Culpepper has been relatively ineffective behind a suspect offensive line, throwing for just one touchdown and three interceptions while getting sacked 15 times.

However, Culpepper could be salivating at the chance of facing the Texans, who rank last in the league in total defense - allowing 483.7 yards per game.

The Texans also have been abysmal against the pass, ranking last in the league. Donovan McNabb, Peyton Manning and Mark Brunell combined to complete 74-of-100 passes for 975 yards and seven touchdowns against the Texans.

Last Sunday, the Texans endured a 31-15 loss to the Washington Redskins. Brunell set an NFL record by completing his first 22 passes and finished 24-of-27 for 261 yards and a touchdown.

Houston also has its own quarterback playing well. David Carr has completed 72 percent (59-of-82) of his passes and leads the league with a 113.6 rating.

The Texans are off to their second straight slow start. They dropped their first six games last season en route to a league-worst 2-14 record.