"Before Sunday's game against Seattle at Reliant Stadium, Texans defensive players decided to shift accountability from coach Gary Kubiak by taking out the frustrations of a four-game losing streak on the Seahawks.

Led by defensive end Mario Williams' two sacks and a combined 22 tackles, including six for losses, by linebackers DeMeco Ryans and Brian Cushing, the Seahawks were limited to 282 yards and a touchdown in a 34-7 Texans win.

Williams said he was inspired by a conversation he had with Kubiak on Tuesday.

"We had a long talk, me and him personally, and it meant a lot, the things he said to me and the way he came at me," Williams said after making six tackles, including three for losses. "Everybody's under the microscope, but at the end of the day, it's the players that play.

"I realized I need to give a better effort, not just for myself but for him. I don't want another coach here. I love Kubiak to death."

In their conversation, Williams told Kubiak he knew he had been underperforming.

He refused to blame the shoulder injury that's bothered him since early in the season or the groin injury that slowed him in practice last week.

"I'm still way behind in the team's eyes and in my eyes," Williams said. "A lot of times, the first person to be blamed is the coach, but it definitely shouldn't be that way, because eventually, it's going to come down to us.

"If we were to have somebody different, what are we going to say then if the same thing happens?"

When Kubiak made his Saturday night speech to the team, he mentioned Williams in a positive light.

Williams responded with a season-best two sacks, giving him eight sacks for the season."