"Without being designated as the team spokesman, tight end Joel Dreessen may have summed up his teammates' feeling about quarterback Matt Leinart and the challenge that confronts him, as well as them, over the last six games.

"We've got all the confidence in the world in him," Dreessen said. "I'm not just saying that, either. He's a professional. He's started games in this league. He's led a team. He's been on teams that have been in the playoffs and gone to the Super Bowl, so I think we're in very good hands with Matt."

They better be.

For the first time since 2008, the Texans are playing without Matt Schaub at quarterback. He's out with an injury to the Lisfranc tendon in his right foot."