When: 1 p.m. Sunday

Where: Reliant Stadium, Houston

Take: Although many of the players and coaches are different, the downtrodden Texans haven’t changed much since their inaugural season in 2002 with losses in 18 of their past 20 games.

David Carr

Quarterback David Carr continues to struggle playing on an offense with a terrible line and rushing attack, while Houston’s front seven still doesn’t show a pulse.

New Texans coach Gary Kubiak is trying to rebuild Carr’s confidence in a system that he ran for 11 years as Denver’s offensive coordinator. But while the decision to keep Carr this offseason raised eyebrows, even more second-guessing was generated by Houston making defensive end Mario Williams the No. 1 pick in last April’s draft rather than running back Reggie Bush. Williams has yet to make an impact, while Bush already is making jaws drop with his running style in New Orleans. Ron Dayne, who slipped to fourth string in Denver this preseason before being released, is Houston’s starting running back.

Miami Dolphins

Following coach Nick Saban’s offseason hiring of Dom Capers to run the Dolphins’ defense, coordinator Richard Smith left for the same position in Houston. Smith’s charges are struggling so badly in their switch from a 3-4 to 4-3 scheme that Houston is allowing almost 100 yards more a game than any other NFL team (483.7).

Without facing much of a pass rush, Washington QB Mark Brunell picked apart Houston for an NFL-record 22 consecutive completions in last Sunday’s 31-15 victory.

“It’s an embarrassing situation,” cornerback Dunta Robinson told the Houston Chronicle after the Redskins loss. “Right now, we can’t even keep a game close.”

SporTech Prediction: Dolphins 34, Texans 24
SI.com Prediction: Dolphins 27, Texans 20