Slaton showed his toughness by playing against Cleveland with his injuries, finishing with 21 carries for 73 yards; Green, who was placed on injured reserve Tuesday, gained 39 yards on 13 carries.

"We've got a running back problem right now," Kubiak said. "Steve played hurt. (He) was not himself, but he hung in there for the team. We're very concerned about our running back situation."

--At one point this season, the Texans had committed the fewest penalties in the league and were on pace to set the NFL record. But they had 11 flags for 84 yards against Cleveland, including a holding call on Brandon Harrison that nullified Andre Davis' 93-yard kickoff return for a touchdown.

"We had way too many penalties," coach Gary Kubiak said. "I would question a few of them like any other coach, but a lot of them were legitimate. We've got to do a much better job than that. I just think it's concentration."

--Rookie OLB Xavier Adibi started his second game against Cleveland and had four unassisted tackles and a fumble recovery. Rookie cornerback Antwaun Molden also played for the first time.

"Adibi played a lot like he did against Indianapolis; he made a lot of plays," coach Gary Kubiak said. "He took another step forward.

"Molden played nine or 10 plays. They were key plays on a big drive in the fourth quarter, and it wasn't too big for him. He played some man coverage and was right there with them (receivers). It was a step forward for him, too. We need to get him on the field more."

BY THE NUMBERS: 23 -- Players on the Texans' 53-man roster who have played in a Monday Night Football game before.

QUOTE TO NOTE: "It's going to be nice going back home. I think this win will help us get our fans rejuvenated after a couple of tough losses, like Baltimore. I think our fans will be rocked and ready to go. I think it'll be great for our fans to have an experience like that. They've been waiting a long time. They deserve it. It's a great place to play, back there at Reliant. And I'm excited to get that place rocking and rolling. Because it can be a playoff atmosphere. Monday night football is as close to a playoff atmosphere as you're going to get during the regular season." -- QB Sage Rosenfels, on the importance of the franchise's first MNF game being held at home.