Texans at Dolphins
THE STORY: A statement was made in the AFC South last weekend, although it may have been unclear who was delivering it. The Houston Texans, who have been the trendy pick to take over the division for the last few years, dismantled the Indianapolis Colts 34-7 in the season opener. Whether it's a testament to the ability of the Texans - or the inability of the Peyton Manning-less Indianapolis Colts - remains in question. The Texans will do their best to prove Week 1 was no fluke when they visit the Miami Dolphins on Sunday. For their part, the Dolphins were torched by Tom Brady and the New England Patriots in a 38-24 season-opening loss.
TV: FOX, 4:15 p.m. ET. Line: Texans -2.5 O/U 48
ABOUT THE TEXANS (1-0): Houston coach Gary Kubiak has been bombarded by countless questions surrounding the availability of stud running back Arian Foster, who has been plagued with a hamstring injury. The reigning rushing champion has practiced this week and is on target to make his season debut against the Dolphins. Foster had a breakout year last season, rushing 327 times for 1,616 yards and 16 touchdowns. In Foster's absence, Ben Tate rushed for 124 yards on 16 carries in his NFL debut against the Colts. Matt Schaub wasn't needed to excel in the opener, but connected with stud wideout Andre Johnson seven times for 95 yards and a score.
ABOUT THE DOLPHINS (0-1): While Brady grabbed the headlines with his 517-yard, four-touchdown performance, Chad Henne silenced some critics with a career-high 416-yard effort of his own. Offseason acquisition Reggie Bush had mixed results in his Dolphins' debut, rushing for just 38 yards on 11 carries but reeling in a team-high nine receptions for 56 yards. In Brian Daboll's first game as offensive coordinator, Miami rolled up 488 yards - the team's third-highest total in 21 years.
EXTRA POINTS:
1. Do you remember cornerback Benny Sapp, who was burned throughout the season opener? Well, the Dolphins released him on Tuesday, presumably after watching repeated replays of him get torched by Wes Welker on a 99-yard touchdown reception.
2. The Texans have not lost to the Dolphins in their NFL existence. They improved to 5-0 against Miami following a 27-20 win in Miami on Dec. 27, 2009.
3. Home-field disadvantage? Miami has dropped five straight and 10 of 11 in South Beach.