Probable starters
BUCS OFFENSE
WR: Mike Williams 19
LT: Donald Penn 70
LG: Ted Larsen 62
C: Jeff Faine 52
RG: Davin Joseph 75
RT: Jeremy Trueblood 65
TE: Kellen Winslow 82
WR: Arrelious Benn 17
QB: Josh Freeman 5
RB: LeGarrette Blount 27
FB: Erik Lorig 44
BUCS DEFENSE
DE: Michael Bennett 71
DT: Roy Miller 90
DT: Brian Price 92
RDE: Adrian Clayborn 94
SLB: Quincy Black 58
MLB: Mason Foster 59
WLB: Geno Hayes 54
CB: Aqib Talib 25
CB: Ronde Barber 20
SS: Sean Jones 26
FS: Tanard Jackson 36
Special Teams
P: Michael Koenen 9
PK: Connor Barth 10
KO: Michael Koenen 9
PR/KR: Preston Parker 87
Texans offense
WR: Jacoby Jones 12
LT: Duane Brown 76
LG: Wade Smith 74
C: Chris Myers 55
RG: Mike Brisiel 65
RT: Eric Winston 73
TE: Owen Daniels 81
WR: Kevin Walter 83
QB: Matt Schaub 8
RB: Arian Foster 23
FB: James Casey 86
Texans DEFENSE
DE: J.J. Watt 99
NT: Shaun Cody 95
DE: Antonio Smith 94
LB: Connor Barwin 98
LB: Brian Cushing 56
LB: DeMeco Ryans 59
LB: Brooks Reed 58
CB: Kareem Jackson 25
CB: Johnathan Joseph 24
SS: Glover Quin 29
FS: Troy Nolan 33
Special Teams
P: Brett Hartmann 2
PK/KO: Neil Rackers 4
KR: Sherrick McManis 33
PR: Jacoby Jones 12
Stat pack
1 p.m., Raymond James Stadium, Tampa | Radio: 620-AM, 103.5-FM | Line, O/U: Texans by 31/2; 451/2
The Bucs are coming off their second-poorest performance against the run this season, giving up 195 yards last week at New Orleans (better only than the 213 at the 49ers on Oct. 9). Today, Houston's dual rushing attack and timely passing game will provide another test.
Texans' best offensive player
Receiver Andre Johnson easily fits the bill, but he remains out with a hamstring injury. Meanwhile, Arian Foster, right, has established himself as one of the finest running backs in the game and has a chance to display that today. Oh, and his backup, Ben Tate, is not bad, either.
Texans' best defensive player
Pass-rusher Mario Williams is on injured reserve. But the presence of linebacker Brian Cushing, left, has been obvious to opponents. He leads Houston with 61 tackles and is perpetually around the football. Prediction Texans 24, Bucs 20
What the Texans do best
They run the football with authority, but they also are proficient at defending the run. With the fourth-ranked run defense, Houston has rendered standout running backs such as Darren McFadden (51 yards), Maurice Jones-Drew (63) and Chris Johnson (18) nonfactors in recent games.
You can beat the Texans if …
You make them one-dimensional. The Texans, for several years, were known for offensive imbalance. In games when they've reverted to that, they've lost. Quarterback Matt Schaub's two biggest games this season have come in losses to the Saints and Raiders.
The Bucs must avoid …
Too many three-and-outs. Tampa Bay has been unable to sustain many drives, and continuing that trend against Houston will mean fewer opportunities to keep the game close. The Texans lead the NFL in average time of possession (33.43).
avg. Rushing yards
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Bucs
texans
98.1 (24th)
155.1 (2nd)
132.4 (26th)
91.4 (4th)
266.5 (28th)
182.6 (2nd)
245.4 (11th)
238.4 (14th)
398.9 (29th)
274.0 (1st)
343.5 (15th)
393.5 (8th)
Injury report
BUCS — Doubtful: DT Frank Okam (calf). Questionable: LB Dekoda Watson (groin). Probable: QB Josh Freeman (thumb), S Tanard Jackson (hamstring), WR Mike Williams (thigh), G Jeremy Zuttah (knee).
Texans — Out: WR Andre Johnson (hamstring), S Danieal Manning (ankle). Questionable: CB Sherrick McManis (groin), NT Earl Mitchell (ankle), DE Antonio Smith (shoulder), T Eric Winston (back). Probable: LB Mister Alexander (shoulder), CB Jason Allen (knee), G Thomas Austin (knee), LB Connor Barwin (Achilles), LB Bryan Braman (thigh), G Mike Brisiel (back), T Duane Brown (shoulder), G Antoine Caldwell (ankle), RB James Casey (pectoral), NT Shaun Cody (back), LB Brian Cushing (knee, hamstring), LB Tim Dobbins (hip), CB Johnathan Joseph (hamstring, abdomen), LB Jesse Nading (shoulder), G Wade Smith (ankle), RB Ben Tate (foot, ankle), WR Kevin Walter (knee, ankle).
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