The stat sheet said that the Texans gave up 31 points to Indianapolis last week, but given the late-game circumstances, you can't place much of the blame on a defense that had allowed just one touchdown through the first 55-minutes plus of the game. End Mario Williams (16 tackles) had two sacks of Manning to up his team-leading total to four, and linebacker Zach Diles (36 tackles, 1 INT) turned in a pick of the perennial All-Pro to go with a team-best nine tackles. Diles and fellow inside linebacker DeMeco Ryans (35 tackles) are 1-2 on the team in stops, and helped limit the Colts' Joseph Addai to a modest 71 yards on 17 carries last week. The secondary continues to be something of a weak spot in the areas of both coverage and playmaking, with cornerbacks Demarcus Faggins (12 tackles) and Jacques Reeves (13 tackles) appearing overmatched at times and newly-promoted safeties Brandon Harrison (7 tackles) and Eugene Wilson so far not making many plays behind them.

WHEN THE TEXANS HAVE THE BALL

Lost in the heartbreaking ending to the Colts game was the play of the Houston offense for the majority of the game, as the Texans racked up nearly 400 yards of total offense and saw running back Steve Slaton (285 rushing yards, 16 receptions, 4 TD) and wideout Andre Johnson (24 receptions, 1 TD) turn in strong individual performances. Slaton continued in his role as the primary running back, carrying 16 times for 93 yards and two touchdowns, while Johnson posted his best game of 2008 to date with nine catches for 131 yards and a score. Running back Ahman Green (75 rushing yards) also returned to the fold with 12 totes for 47 yards, and should see significant time against the Dolphins as well. A major key for Houston on Sunday will the ability to protect Schaub (697 passing yards, 4 TD, 5 INT), who was sacked eight times in his first three starts this year. Schaub enters Week 6 with a middling 75.5 passer rating, but is completing a healthy 64.5 percent of his passes.

The Dolphins have played solid defense in all phases over their past two games. In Week 3, the Fins attacked New England quarterback Matt Cassel and completely shut down Randy Moss and the Patriots receivers. Last week, Miami held LaDainian Tomlinson to 35 yards on 12 carries, with linebacker Akin Ayodele (17 tackles) and outside linebacker Matt Roth (16 tackles, 2 sacks), who combined for 11 tackles, helping to set the tone in the triumph. Safety Yeremiah Bell (30 tackles), who leads the Dolphins in stops, posted a team- best six stops. Outside linebacker Joey Porter (16 tackles, 5.5 sacks) paces Miami in sacks, but did not manage one of San Diego's Philip Rivers last week. Cornerbacks Will Allen (13 tackles) and Andre' Goodman (11 tackles), who will match up with Johnson and fellow WR Kevin Walter this week, are solid even if they don't turn in a great number of highlight-reel plays.

FANTASY FOCUS

Brown proved to owners last week that he wasn't just a one-week wonder, and merits starting in all leagues. Pennington is not a first-rate fantasy starter, but if your No. 1 is on a bye, he'll give you something. None of the Miami targets are reliable enough to consider. The Dolphins defense is beginning to come into its own but doesn't make a lot of big plays, and kicker Dan Carpenter doesn't have enough of a body of work to warrant a start.

Slaton has become a fantasy find for those who gambled on the rookie, and the fact that the Texans give him the ball in both the running and passing game makes him that much more attractive. Johnson came out of his shell last week, and tight end Owen Daniels is always part of the game plan. The Houston defense isn't a consistent point-producer, but kicker Kris Brown is an OK option.

OVERALL ANALYSIS

The Texans are not a great football team at this stage, but could very well be 2-2 and, with seven home games to play, have not come close to quitting on their playoff aspirations yet. The Dolphins, meanwhile, are gathering momentum after two impressive wins, but are not that far removed from a blowout loss at the Cardinals back in Week 2. With these teams matching up fairly evenly, give the edge to the homestanding, desperate, Texans. Schaub should be able to avoid the major turnovers that have plagued him in his time with Houston, and the Texans will pull away in the fourth quarter.

Sports Network Predicted Outcome: Texans 27, Dolphins 17

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