Texans head coach Gary Kubiak had many reasons to smile after Sunday's win over the Dolphins.
Running back rotation: With rookie Arian Foster coming close to the 100-yard mark Sunday and Ryan Moats contributing with four catches for 39 yards, Kubiak expects to give those two more reps against the Patriots.
"I think they're going to play more than Chris (Brown) when it's all said and done, just from a standpoint of the job that they're doing," Kubiak said. "Of course we're using Chris in a lot of protection situations, but they've all been involved."
Kubiak was especially pleased with Foster, who wound up with 97 yards on 19 carries and scored a first-half touchdown on a 17-yard scamper up the middle.
"Arian did some very nice things, his best outing as a pro," Kubiak said. "Hopefully, he builds off of that going into this week, but he took a big step in the right direction and ran the ball well."
Dreessen's big day: Kubiak also singled out tight end Joel Dreessen's play Sunday, saying it was his "best outing as a pro."
Several weeks after replacing the injured Owen Daniels, Dreessen snared four passes for 65 yards. Dreessen recently relinquished his deep snapping duties to Bryan Pittman. Kubiak also attributed some of Dreessen's success to the Dolphins' focus on Andre Johnson.
"This team yesterday, coverage-wise, did some really interesting stuff to Andre," Kubiak said. "So it not only gave other guys opportunities to make plays, it created a lot of situations where some of Andre's doubles actually rubbed off some players, linebackers and stuff that were trying to cover Joel. He was our offensive player of the game. I think the fact that we've been able to get him off the field snapping has helped him get better, too."
Planned play-calling: The Texans exploded in the first half, scoring on each of their first five possessions. In the press conference on Monday, the second-half play-call selection was questioned. Kubiak said his offense's plays are pre-determined, and not just at the start of the game.
"We script the second half, too," Kubiak said. "We go in at halftime and script the first eight or nine plays. We try to do it the same way. Obviously, you're doing it in a very short manner of time compared to a couple days' preparation, but we do. The script just wasn't as good as the first one."
Injury report: Rookie linebacker Brian Cushing came into the game nursing injuries to his foot, knee and ribs. After Sunday's win in Miami, he can add another ailment to the list.
"Cushing has a fractured finger," Kubiak said. "So he'll just have one more bandage on, but he'll be back out there."
Kubiak also added that free safety Dominique Barber, who left the Dolphins game with a leg injury, could possibly "be an IR candidate before the day is over here."
Plus, defensive tackle Shaun Cody has a hyperextended knee and is likely "day-to-day."
