INDIANAPOLIS (AP) -Tiki Barber and Brandon Jacobs overpowered the Indianapolis Colts run defense. Fred Taylor and Maurice Drew shredded it.

Three games into the season, the Colts have struggled to stop any team this side of the grounded Houston Texans, but players and coaches aren't worried yet.

Sure, they all agree improvement is needed, but they don't think a major overhaul is needed.

``No concerns,'' three-time Pro Bowl defensive end Dwight Freeney said Wednesday. ``It all goes to the game and who

HOUSTON (AP) -After another ugly loss to fall to 0-3, the Houston Texans couldn't hide their embarrassment Monday.

``Our fans don't deserve this. Coach (Gary) Kubiak doesn't deserve this,'' defensive tackle Seth Payne said. ``It's just unacceptable, and we deserve any criticism anybody wants to give us.''

The Texans haven't even kept a game close, losing by an average of 16 points. And that isn't as high as it could be since Houston managed three touchdowns against Indianapolis' backups in the fourth q

MILESTONES

Washington's Mark Brunell broke the NFL record for most consecutive passes completed in a single game when he connected on his first 22 throws Sunday in a 31-15 win over the Houston Texans. The old record was held by Oakland's Rich Gannon, who completed 21 straight against Denver on Nov. 11, 2002. ... Brett Favre threw three TD passes in Green Bay's 31-24 at Detroit, giving him 402 for his career. He and Dan Marino are the only player

HOUSTON (AP) -Washington's Clinton Portis has vowed to make his first start of the season against the Houston Texans on Sunday.

If he does, he'll return just in time to face the league's worst-ranked defense in a battle of winless teams. He's listed as probable on the injury report, but Houston coach Gary Kubiak has no doubt he'll be ready.

``He'll be back. I know he will,'' Kubiak said. ``You can just tell watching him on the sidelines in the part of the game I saw the other night. He's a competitor.

But, through it all, there was never any doubt that Brunell would start Sunday's game against the Houston Texans.

``Normally when things are not going well, and it's several weeks involved, a lot of it gets attributed to him, and the easiest thing is to say 'Let's change quarterbacks,''' Gibbs said. ``But a lot of time that's not what's best for the team. As

ASHBURN, Va. (AP) -Washington Redskins running back Clinton Portis practiced again Thursday and pronounced himself ready for Sunday's game against the Houston Texans.

``They can expect a full-throttle Portis,'' Portis said. ``It's no setbacks or limited plays for me.''

However, the Redskins could be missing two defensive starters. Cornerback Shawn Springs won't play after straining a groin during practice Wednesday, and assistant coach Gregg Williams said defensive tackle Joe Salave'a was doubtful beca

ASHBURN, Va. (AP) -Washington Redskins running back Clinton Portis practiced again Thursday and pronounced himself ready for Sunday's game against the Houston Texans.

``They can expect a full-throttle Portis,'' Portis said. ``It's no setbacks or limited plays for me.''

Portis missed last week's game at Dallas after re-injuring his left shoulder in the season opener against Minnesota. His return is timely, considering that coaches and players this week have spoken of the need to re-establish the run aft

HOUSTON (AP) -The Houston Texans said they were putting a premium on defense when they took defensive end Mario Williams with the first pick in the draft.

They also chose defensive tackle Travis Johnson in the first round last year and cornerback Dunta Robinson and defensive end Jason Babin in 2004.

With all this emphasis on the defense, why is it still so bad?

There are plenty of excuses for the poor start, including youth (seven starters have three years or less of experience), learning a new syste

HOUSTON (AP) -Houston Texans left tackle Charles Spencer had surgery Monday to repair a broken leg after injuring it the previous day against Indianapolis and will miss the rest of the season.

The loss is a major blow to a unit that made progress in efforts to protect David Carr, who has been sacked more than 200 times in the last four seasons.

Coach Gary Kubiak said the surgery went well, but a timetable for his return won't be known for some time because of the severity of the injury to his tibia.

The Eagles entered the game short on cornerbacks following an ankle injury to Lito Sheppard in last week's win over the Houston Texans.

Hood, who coach Andy Reid has described as a third starting corner, moved into Sheppard's spot and the team signed Dexter Wynn, a final roster cut at the end of the preseason, for depth.

Nickel back Joselio Hanson replaced Hood.

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