*Watch head coach Gary Kubiak's Monday press conference on Texans TV live at 3:30 p.m. CT.
Cushing's Improvement: Yet again, linebacker Brian Cushing led the squad in tackles, finishing with seven. One was for a loss, and he also filled up the stat sheet with a quarterback hurry, a pass deflection and a second quarter interception. Head coach Gary Kubiak is enthused by the third-year linebacker's play, and said so after the victory.
"It's been that way all year," Kubiak said. "If you put the film on, Cushing has got to be playing as good as any linebacker in football right now."
Cushing has more tackles in 2011 than any of his other teammates, and he's flourished in defensive coordinator Wade Phillips' defense. Cushing thinks the unit as a whole has a different mindset this season, and was quick to credit Phillips.
"I think we've just done a good job since Coach Phillips came in here," Cushing said. "He's really changed the mindset of the way we play and he's instilled an attitude within us."
Final Drive Heroics: The Texans offense iced the game with a nine-play, 59-yard scoring drive that culminated with a Neil Rackers 39-yard field goal. Houston was able to burn 4:57 off the clock, giving the Jaguars the ball back with just 18 seconds and a ten-point deficit. Arian Foster carried seven times on the drive for 29 yards, and tight end Owen Daniels made a key grab on the drive's only other offensive play.
"I think OD's play on the third down and five was huge," Kubiak said of Daniel's 30-yard reception from Matt Schaub. "He makes a great catch on a low ball. But, in that situation you have to stay on the field and put the game away and we were able to do that offensively."
Daniels said the play was a peculiar one, because of who was "covering" him.
"The only guy that was in coverage was the ref on that play," Daniels, who finished with 60 yards receiving on four catches, said. "Matt did a great job of getting it out and I thought it was going to actually hit the ref. I just tried to keep my focus on the ball and snatch it up. I honestly don't know if I lost vision on the ball or not. I was just happy that I made the catch and we got a first down."
What a catch!: Tight end Joel Dreessen caught a seven-yard touchdown pass to cap a scoring drive on the first possession of the second half. It put the Texans up 14-7, and it was a lead they wouldn't relinquish. The ball was tipped by a Jacksonville defender, but Dreessen was able to come up with the grab and score.
"I was like, 'Oh no, don't let him pick it—catch it,'" Dreessen said. "And I did. It felt good. It was third down and we needed some points and to make a play like that to help my team was very encouraging."
The snag wasn't a surprise to Daniels.
"It was a great catch," Daniels said. "I didn't see the route but he did a great job of going up and snatching away (the ball). Joel has been making big time plays for us all year."
