Instead of having Slaton run until his legs could no longer churn out the yards, Kubiak took a risk for the team and rested him against Baltimore two weeks ago. He gave the rookie only four carries and told him to take a break.

Without their starting running back -- and any sort of running game, the Texans suffered their most lopsided loss of the season to the Ravens. But a week later, Slaton showed his appreciation by rattling off 156 rushing yards against Indianapolis. It was the best day of his NFL career and the best outing in the league by a running back over the weekend.

The Texans hope the rejuvenation can continue this week as they take on a Cleveland Browns team that has struggled to contain running backs all season. The Browns defense ranks 28th in the league against the run, allowing 149.3 rushing yards per game.

"It really did help me to rest," said Slaton, whose 71-yard touchdown run against the Colts was the longest run in team history. "You don't really realize how much football I've played so far just being a rookie now. Last week definitely helped me."

They have allowed five 100-yard rushers this season. Marshawn Lynch (119), Clinton Portis (175), Ray Rice (154) and Derrick Ward (101) all have had their best games of the season against the Browns.

Slaton may not top what he accomplished against the Colts, but the Texans hope the combination of Slaton and Ahman Green can lead the Texans to their first road win of the season.

"In the short yardage-type of stuff, Ahman has a little more weight to him and has got a little more power and little more feel for those situations to get those first downs and touchdowns," quarterback Sage Rosenfels said. "But in open space, there are not many guys that are better in the league than Steve right now."

Slaton is tied for fourth among all running backs in the league with eight carries of 20 yards or more. His 5.1 average yards per carry ties him for second among the 18 backs in the league who have at least 550 rushing yards.

"Sometimes there's an advantage of being smaller, and (Tampa Bay running back) Warrick Dunn will say that," Rosenfels said. "(Slaton's) 200 pounds, which is pretty small for an NFL running back, but he does a great job of staying low. He's got great balance and keeping his feet. He does have that little sort of Warrick Dunn-type of running style."

With Green back in the lineup and able to spell Slaton during the game, the Texans have the type of running game they have been searching for since Kubiak arrived in 2006.

Green, who has already played in more games (7) than he did last season, has 255 rushing yards on 61 attempts (4.2 yards per carry). He also has three rushing touchdowns -- two of which came Sunday against Indianapolis when he had nine carries for 17 yards.

"There's not big numbers for him out there," Kubiak said. "He did the dirty work and some short-yardage situations and down on the goal line. He's giving us everything he's got and when he's healthy he's pretty darn good. It sure looks like he's healthy right now."

Green said he feels well these days and that he enjoys watching his younger counterpart.

"Awesome," Green said of Slaton's performance Sunday. "He is showing what he used to do back in West Virginia. I'm excited because it's a 1-2 punch. Myself and him are healthy, running the ball downhill. When the offensive line is blocking the way they are, it makes things a lot easier."

SERIES HISTORY: 6th regular-season meeting. Browns lead series, 3-2, with Houston never winning in Cleveland. The Texans fell 27-17 last season by Lake Erie. Houston led 10-7 midway through the second quarter, but saw the Browns score 20 consecutive points to push their lead to 27-10.