National Football League

Unbeaten Texans beat Dolphins 23-13

Published Sep. 19, 2011 5:14 a.m. ET

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The Houston Texans discovered last year what a 2-0 start means: not much.

So they'll curb their enthusiasm for now about the possibility of reaching the playoffs for the first time, although the subject will be tough to avoid if they beat the Saints this week.

Houston at New Orleans suddenly shapes up as a showdown. The Texans stayed unbeaten Sunday by defeating the Miami Dolphins 23-13.

The Texans improved to 2-0 for the second year in a row. Last season they faded to 6-10.

''We've been there before, so we've got to make it different,'' coach Gary Kubiak said.

For the second consecutive week, Houston won with balanced offense and a stingy, swarming defense led by Mario Williams. He had a hand in the game's first touchdown, while Matt Schaub was efficient, Andre Johnson came up with big catches and Ben Tate filled in ably for Arian Foster.

The Dolphins fell to 0-2 for the fifth time in the past six years, and perhaps it's just as well they're on the road for most of the next two months. They're 1-11 at home since late 2009.

''This stinks,'' receiver Brandon Marshall said. ''We're trying to get things going in our stadium and our community, and you have to win at home to do that. It's frustrating. It's embarrassing.''

Houston improved to 6-0 against Miami, in part because the Dolphins' sieve-like pass defense was no match for Schaub and Johnson.

Schaub went 21 for 29 for 230 yards and had a quarterback rating of 118.5. Houston avoided any turnovers while the Dolphins committed two, had a 22-yard field-goal attempt blocked and missed a 34-yarder.

With fan support for the Dolphins flagging, the stadium was half empty even though Miami native Johnson bought 170 tickets for family and friends. He uncharacteristically dropped a deep pass in the third quarter but more than made amends, finishing with seven catches for 93 yards.

''Andre made some great plays all day long,'' Schaub said.

The biggest came after a Miami field goal cut Houston's lead to 16-13. The Texans responded with a 63-yard drive capped by Johnson's 23-yard scoring catch.

Tate topped 100 yards rushing for the second time in two career games, netting 103 yards in 23 carries. Reigning NFL rushing champion Foster, who missed the opener because of a sore left hamstring, carried only 10 times for 33 yards and sat out the second half when his leg tightened.

The Texans led for the final 55 minutes, and Williams forced a turnover to help increase the cushion. With Chad Henne throwing from his goal line, Williams hit Henne as he released a pass, which fluttered to cornerback Johnathan Joseph.

Two plays later, Schaub threw a 4-yard touchdown pass to Owen Daniels for a 13-3 lead.

Houston pressured Henne enough to limit him to 170 yards after he threw for 416 in the season opener. The Texans' defense, revamped after they ranked 30th in yards allowed last season, has allowed two touchdowns in two games.

''We only gave up 13 points,'' Kubiak said, ''and you're going to win a lot of games doing that.''

Miami's Daniel Thomas rushed for 107 yards in his NFL debut, but Henne went 12 for 30. Lapses on defense and special teams also hurt the Dolphins, and linebacker Jason Taylor said lineup changes may be in order.

''I'm not sure everyone understands the magnitude of what we're trying to do here,'' Taylor said. ''If you can't get it, get out of the way and we'll get somebody else who will.''

Houston twice turned back the Dolphins after they drove inside the 20. One threat ended with a blocked 22-yard field goal by rookie J.J. Watt.

''It was a total team effort across the board,'' Schaub said. ''We made plays in every phase of the game. Now we just need to go out and find win No. 3.''

Notes: Joseph left the game in the first half with a right ankle sprain but later returned. ... Miami CB Vontae Davis hurt his hamstring, and LB Karlos Dansby left the game with a groin injury. ... NFL active sack leader Taylor reached Schaub once, increasing his total to 133 1/2.

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