For a moment the defensive O.K. Corral appeared to take shape when both defenses forced the opposing offenses into three and out situations. Kevin Huber punted the football 53 yards, which Cedric Peerman downed at the four-yard line.

Houston opened the drive with a series of plays that exposed Rey Maualuga in the middle as a coverage linebacker, while also taking advantage of Cincinnati's reactions on an end around that gained 16 yards. Eventually the 65-yard possession stalled on nine plays, forcing former Bengals place kicker Shayne Graham to convert a 48-yard field goal with around eight minutes remaining in the game.

The Texans offensive line are holding their own against Cincinnati's pass rush and Maualuga was heavily featured as a disaster.