Wali Rainer

Owner Bob McNair confirmed what had been reported in Houston for weeks, that coach Gary Kubiak would return for the fifth year of his contract. Kubiak signed a five-year, $10 million contact in 2006. Now Kubiak has to hire his fourth offensive coordinator in five years. One of the worst-kept secrets in the NFL is that Mike Shanahan is going to be named the new coach at Washington. His son, Texans offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan, will have...  

From the first practice in training camp until the last game, Brian Cushing was a tackling machine for the Houston Texans. That's exactly what the team sought when it chose the linebacker from Southern Cal 15th overall in the draft last April. What the Texans also got is The Associated Press 2009 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year.  

The Houston Texans did what they could on Sunday, but didn't get enough help to make their first trip to the playoffs. Rookie Arian Foster scored two touchdowns and Bernard Pollard recovered a fumble for a touchdown and had a key interception as the Texans rallied to beat the New England Patriots 34-27.  

Houston's Matt Schaub is having the best season of his career. Sure, he's improved in his third year as Houston's starter, but the biggest factor might be that he's played each game this season for the Texans. Schaub missed five games in each of his first two seasons in Houston with injuries after being traded from the Falcons.  

The Houston Texans enter the last week of the regular season in an unfamiliar position. For the first time in franchise history, they are still in the playoff hunt. They'll need some help to get their first playoff berth, but a win over New England will give this long-struggling franchise its first winning record.  

The Houston Texans will exercise an option in Matt Schaub's contract that will give the quarterback a $10 million bonus and extend his contract for the next three years. Schaub signed a six-year contract when he was traded from the Atlanta Falcons three seasons ago and the Texans had until March to decide if they wanted to exercise the option to keep him in Houston.  

When it mattered most, the Houston Texans performed like a playoff team -- which they might yet be. The Miami Dolphins played like a team going nowhere, which is likely the case. With both teams seeking to stay alive in the AFC playoff race, the Texans scored on their first five possession Sunday and survived Miami's comeback to win 27-20.  

As if the New York Jets and Houston Texans didn't get enough help in their chase for a playoff berth, they might get even more on Sunday from opponents who already own division titles.  

HOUSTON - The Houston Texans will exercise an option in Matt Schaub's contract that will give the quarterback a US$10 million bonus and extend his contract for the next three years.  

New England coach Bill Belichick remains coy about whether Tom Brady and other Patriots stars will start Sunday against the Houston Texans.  

NEW YORK - From the first practice in training camp until the last game, Brian Cushing was a tackling machine for the Houston Texans.  

The Tennessee Titans will not grant the Houston Texans permission to speak with offensive line coach Mike...  

MIAMI - When it mattered most, the Houston Texans performed like a playoff team - which they might yet be.