Texans Must Limit Turnovers

Since Gary Kubiak became the Texans' coach in 2006, turnovers have been a problem. When the Texans entered their bye week with a 5-4 record, Kubiak basically said turnovers would make or break them over the last seven games when they hope to make a push for the playoffs for the first time.

The Texans have committed 16 turnovers -- nine interceptions by Matt Schaub and seven fumbles by running backs Steve Slaton (five), Ryan Moats and Chris Brown.

The fumbles by Moats and Brown couldn't have come at a worse time, either. Brown fumbled into the end zone against Jacksonville on the last series, and the Jaguars recovered to prevent overtime. Moats fumbled at the Indianapolis 1-yard line in what turned out to be a three-point game.

Kubiak said he doesn't have the words to describe how frustrated he is over the turnovers.

Schaub is having an outstanding season, but he's thrown four interceptions in the last two games. The Texans were good enough to overcome two at Buffalo. They weren't good enough to overcome two more at Indianapolis.

Now the Texans host the Titans and Colts at Reliant Stadium. They won at Tennessee by three. They lost at Indianapolis by three. They're trying to sweep the Titans for the second time, and they're trying to defeat the Colts for the second time.

If they don't commit too many turnovers, they have a chance. If they do, they don't. And if they don't, they won't have a chance to seriously compete for the playoffs for the first time.

If the Texans defeat Tennessee and Indianapolis, they'll be 7-4 and going to Jacksonville before playing Seattle and St. Louis.