The Texans finished the first five weeks of the season 0-4. Their playoff hopes seemed dashed. Their first winning season seemed virtually impossible. Even matching last year's 8-8 record looked to be asking too much.

But here they are with three games remaining and a critical game ahead of them against the Tennessee Titans (12-1). A victory for the Texans would put them at .500 for the first time this season, and open up the possibility of them finishing a previously unfathomable 9-7.

"We have a chance to be .500, and that would be a remarkable achievement," tackle Ephraim Salaam said. "We're playing the best team in front of our home fans, and if we can do it, it would speak to the character of everyone on this team when you consider how we started.

"A lot of teams would have folded after an 0-4 start, but we didn't because we kept plugging away."

It's hard to believe that the same team that generated just 551 net yards on offense in its first two games combined, racked up 549 yards alone against the Green Bay Packers last week in Lambeau Field.

The Texans now boast a 1,000-yard rusher in rookie Steve Slaton, a 1,000-yard receiver in Andre Johnson, and the third-best offense in the NFL.

All that's missing is a big victory over a team like the Titans, who are in the midst of their own record-breaking season. The last time the two teams met, the Texans were playing in their first game since dealing with the destruction caused by Hurricane Ike.

"They will clearly be prepared and emotional and probably count this as one of the biggest games thus far this year," Fisher told reporters at his weekly press conference Monday. "I'll take you back to our first game (Sept. 21). I was very impressed with how they handled the game and how they played, considering the difficulties they went through because of the storm.

"We knew at that time that it was only going to be a matter of time before they start winning ballgames. They've won six out of their last nine against some good opponents. They're very well-coached and Slaton is everything we thought he was going to be and with (Matt) Schaub back now and the way the defense is playing, I know they only wish they had a better start so that they could be in the race."

The Texans no longer have any control over the first five weeks of their season. So they are trying to focus on what is ahead by using the momentum of a three-game winning streak as they prepare to end the season against the Titans, Raiders and Bears.

The Texans will start their final push against a Titans team that is 11-2 against the Texans and have won the last seven games in the series. The Titans, who will be playing for home field advantage in the playoffs, know how important this game is to the Texans as well.

"Certainly, we have been fortunate for whatever reason to win our share of games against them over the last few years," Fisher said. "So for them to put themselves in a situation where they could be successful this season, I think, could be huge for them."

While the victory in Green Bay was arguably the biggest in franchise history, the team understands this week is just as important.

"That (Green Bay) game was the most thrilling I've seen," Texans owner Bob McNair said. "I don't think we've won a bigger one. The next one is so important. The Titans are a great team, and we haven't had much success against them. It's going to be an exciting week."

SERIES HISTORY: 14th regular-season meeting. The Titans lead the series 11-2. The Texans haven't defeated the Titans in seven tries. Last year in Houston, the Texans turned the ball over six times, but still had an opportunity to win the game until Titans K Rob Bironas kicked a 29-yard field goal to win the game as time expired.