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Texans-Dolphins Preview

Dec 23, 2009 - 9:16 PM MATT BEARDMORE STATS Writer

While a victory for Houston or Miami won't guarantee a playoff spot for either, a loss ensures that one of them won't advance to the postseason.

The Texans try to stay unbeaten against the Dolphins in a matchup of clubs facing elimination Sunday at Land Shark Stadium.

As two of six AFC teams at 7-7, Houston and Miami aren't looking at the countless playoff scenarios that will play out over the final two weeks, focusing instead on figuring out how to win one game.

"If we don't win, it doesn't matter," coach Gary Kubiak told the Texans' official Web site. "Bottom line, we're in an elimination game, really, this weekend because whoever doesn't come out of this game victorious has no chance."

A loss also ends Houston's shot at its first winning season. The Texans finished a franchise-best 8-8 each of the last two years.

Although Miami has a slim chance to overcome New England's two-game lead and repeat as AFC East champions, the Dolphins lost control of their playoff fate with a 27-24 overtime loss at Tennessee last week.

"Even though things haven't gone how we want them to go, we still can control the next two weeks," linebacker Reggie Torbor said. "We can go out and win those games and whatever happens from there we can't control, so there's no need in worrying about it."

Miami's defense may have to be successful against the dangerous combination of Matt Schaub and Andre Johnson for the Dolphins to keep their playoff hopes alive. Schaub has thrown for a franchise-record 4,181 yards this season, and his eight 300-yard passing games are second in the league to Peyton Manning.

"I just think Matt's playing really well right now," Kubiak said. "He's in a groove. He's seeing the field. Obviously we're helping him up front (Schaub hasn't been sacked since Dec. 6), but I think our quarterback is playing as well as he's ever played."

The same could be said for Johnson, who became the second player in NFL history to reach the 190-yard receiving mark in two consecutive games during a 16-13 win over St. Louis on Sunday. Johnson leads the league with 1,433 yards and is tied for fourth with 90 receptions.

"One of the biggest challenges is not giving up the big play," Dolphins coach Tony Sparano told the team's official Web site.

Schaub burned Sparano's team last Oct. 12, scoring on a sneak with three seconds left as Houston improved to 4-0 all-time versus Miami with a 29-28 victory.

Miami second-year quarterback Chad Henne is enjoying his best season and threw for a career-high 349 yards Sunday. Henne, though, was intercepted eight times in the last four weeks. He threw three INTs against the Titans, one coming in overtime after Miami won the coin toss.

The Dolphins are 24th in the NFL in turnover margin at minus-seven.

"It's ridiculous," Sparano said. "That's not good football. That's not winning football."

Ricky Williams looks for his fifth 100-yard rushing game in the last seven weeks after running for 80 and a TD against Tennessee. Williams, who set a league record for the longest span between 1,000-yard seasons Sunday at six years, rushed for 46 yards and a touchdown against Houston last season. He powers a rushing attack that ranks fourth in the league with 148.0 yards per game.

The Texans have not been nearly as successful on the ground. Houston, tied for 31st with 86.1 rushing yards per game, has averaged 69.7 in three contests since Steve Slaton was placed on the injured list with a nerve issue in his neck.

Rookie Arian Foster is expected to get more work this week despite being benched Sunday after two carries.

Linebacker Jason Taylor, who has seven sacks, did not practice Wednesday due to a sore right shoulder but is expected to play Sunday - good news for Miami as it looks to slow down Schaub and the Texans' second-ranked passing attack.

The Dolphins are tied for second in the NFL with 40 sacks.

Houston won 21-20 on Sept. 7, 2003, in its only game in Miami.