Mathieu showing nose for the ball
Texans free safety Tyrann Mathieu has displayed a knack for pouncing on deflected passes.
Both of Mathieu's interceptions this season, including one Sunday against the Jacksonville Jaguars, came off throws that ricocheted into his waiting hands.
“A little bit of luck," Mathieu said. "Obviously, being in the right place at the right time. Any time you’re close to the football, balls get deflected, balls get on the ground, obviously you want to make an effort to get to the ball.”
Mathieu has 39 tackles, one fumble recovery and five passes defended this season. He has 13 career interceptions.
“I consider myself a football player," Mathieu said. "I was always taught to obviously read your keys, but wherever the ball goes, that’s where you want to go.”
Signed to one-year, $7.5 million contract, the former Arizona Cardinals All-Pro has been as advertised for the Texans. Besides his play, Mathieu is known for inspirational speeches to his teammates as the first-place Texans have built a four-game winning streak.
“He’s a leader," outside linebacker Jadeveon
Clowney said. "He’s been doing it since he got here. I hope he continues to do that."
Clowney not so fond of Osweiler
The rocky one-year tenure of quarterback Brock Osweiler with the Texans ended abruptly last year when he was traded to the Cleveland Browns in a classic salary dump.
Heading into a Thursday night game against a Miami Dolphins team quarterbacked by Osweiler, outside linebacker Jadeveon Clowney doesn't have fond memories of the Osweiler experience. That season included 16 interceptions and an awkward relationship with coach Bill O’Brien.
“He ain't here no more, so I don't really care for him,” Clowney said. “I know we didn’t win a lot with him. Just trying to go against him now and just try to get after him this week up front, make him rattled in the pocket. Hopefully, he’ll throw a couple interceptions, a couple picks.”
Cunningham upgrades play
Texans inside linebacker Zach Cunningham looked hesitant at the start of the season, not reacting quickly and was vulnerable in pass coverage.
Playing more aggressively and instinctively in recent weeks, Cunningham is on a major upswing.
Cunningham leads the Texans with 44 tackles to rank fourth in the AFC. He also has three passes defended, two tackles for loss, one quarterback hit and one forced fumble. The former second-round draft pick from Vanderbilt had a career-high 13 tackles against the Buffalo Bills and 11 tackles against the Jacksonville Jaguars with one sack.
“I've definitely gotten better the last couple of weeks,” Cunningham said. “I got off to kind of a slow start to the season.”
Cunningham is one of the fastest linebackers in the NFL.
“Speed is a big part of my game,” he said. “That's something I use a lot on the field.”
Miller: no regret leaving Miami
When Texans veteran running back Lamar Miller became a free agent three years ago, he was faced with a choice.
Miller could either remain with the Miami Dolphins, his hometown team where he played in high school and college for the University of Miami, or find a new NFL employer.
Miller opted for the Texans, signing a fouryear, $26 million contract.
They offered me to come back," said Miller, who’s coming off a seasonhigh 100-yard rushing performance "I just felt like Houston at the time was a winning organization. They were giving me an opportunity to showcase my skill set. I don't regret anything. I love it here in Houston."
Odds and ends
Texans guard Greg
Mancz is preparing to start his second consecutive game Thursday night as Zach Fulton remains sidelined with an ankle injury. …
The Texans re-signed former Texas A&M outside linebacker Daeshon Hall to the practice squad, cutting running back Josh Ferguson.