by By JOHN McCLAIN, houston chronicle , The Houston Chronicle

vs. Raiders

Total yards: 165

Pass/rush: 120/45

at Cardinals

Total yards: 340

Pass/rush: 296/44

at BENGALS

Total yards: 296

Pass/rush: 250/46

vs. 49ers

Total yards: 297

Pass/rush: 238/59

at Bills

Total yards: 204

Pass/rush: 107/97

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. - With the offense and special teams playing as if they were choking on Buffalo wings in the first quarter Sunday, the Texans' defense performed the Heimlich maneuver and prevented what would have been an embarrassing defeat to the Bills.

The Texans overcame three turnovers and two penalties on return teams, including one that wiped out a 70-yard return by Jacoby Jones, in the first quarter to escape Ralph Wilson Stadium with a 31-10 victory that extended their winning streak to three.

"We played very poorly on offense and special teams in the first half, but the defense was exceptional," coach Gary Kubiak said. "This game's about winning. We regrouped and played a tremendous second half.

"To grow up in this league, be a good team and play with the top teams, you have to understand that you're going to go through adversity."

Two interceptions thrown by Matt Schaub and a fifth lost fumble by Steve Slaton couldn't keep the Texans from elevating their record to 5-3 (3-1 on the road) for the first time.

"For us to be 5-3 is huge, especially for me," cornerback Dunta Robinson said. "I've been here through some of the worst times you could possibly have as a professional Football player. There's a lot of Football left to play, and we've got to make sure we do even better."

Led by linebacker DeMeco Ryans and rookie linebacker Brian Cushing, who had a sack and an interception, the Texans played outstanding defense in limiting the Bills to 204 yards. They withstood Buffalo's best shot in the first quarter and finished with 439 yards, including a season-high 186 rushing.

"That's the way it's supposed to work," Robinson said. "It's supposed to be a total team effort. The offense struggled a little bit in the first half, but we bailed them out. There have been times where we've struggled and they've bailed us out."

Slaton was benched for his most recent fumble, and Ryan Moats replaced him. Moats took advantage of the NFL's worst run defense by carrying 23 times for 126 yards (5.5 average) and three touchdowns, becoming the first Texan to score three TDs in a game.

The Texans had 74 plays to Buffalo's 43. Schaub was 25-of-34 for 268 yards. He didn't have a touchdown pass and was sacked twice. He helped them control the ball for 39 minutes, 8 seconds compared to the Bills' 20:52.

Daniels probably lost

The Texans might have gained a new starting running back, but they lost one of their best players. In the first quarter, tight end Owen Daniels suffered what appeared to be a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee. An MRI is expected to show he needs season-ending surgery.

"Today, you saw a team lose a top soldier, and that was tough," Kubiak said. "Then Steve put the ball on the ground, and Ryan took advantage of it."

The Texans were so bad in the first half that Kubiak made the players a promise he has to keep. Cornerback Jacques Reeves, who made his first interception in the first half, prevented a touchdown by knocking down a fade route in the end zone to Terrell Owens, and Buffalo had to settle for a field goal.

"That play was huge," Kubiak said. "Our defense had us in position to win. I told the offense and special teams I was so disappointed. I told them if they played like they're capable of playing, I'd burn the first half of the film."

The only way the Bills scored was by getting the ball in Texans territory. Rookie Jairus Byrd intercepted Schaub twice, giving the free safety a league-leading seven.

Bills seldom threaten

He returned the second one to the Texans' 29-yard line. From there, Owens scored on an end-around run.

Fred Jackson's 71-yard kickoff return to the Texans' 34 set up Rian Lindell's 21-yard field goal that gave Buffalo a 10-6 lead at halftime.

The Texans scored on four possessions in the second half - Kris Brown's third field goal and Moats runs of 11, 1 and 3 yards.

"This team's explosive," strong safety Bernard Pollard said. "We fight back.

"We're going to a hostile place next week, and we're excited about it."

That hostile place is Indianapolis, where the Texans never have won. And unlike the Bills, the Colts hit back.

john.mcclain@chron.com

next Week

at

Colts

Noon Sunday

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