HOUSTON -- Texans owner Bob McNair is disappointed in his "underperforming" team and expects a victory over the AFC South rival Tennessee Titans this weekend.
McNair said after Wednesday's practice that he was encouraged that his team rallied from a 23-7 deficit to take the lead late in Sunday's game against the New York Jets. But Houston's defense gave up a touchdown in the final minute for the second straight week, and McNair said the results are becoming unacceptable.
"I was very proud of that comeback," McNair said. "At the same time, you can't win games playing 59 minutes, and that was the big disappointment. We just have to learn to play 60 minutes and get these things closed out."
The Texans (4-6) have lost four in a row and six of their last eight games. McNair watches almost every practice and speaks with coach Gary Kubiak and general manager Rick Smith after each one.
"None of us are happy with the performance of our team. They're underperforming," McNair said. "Our coaches know that, they say that. Our players know that, they say that. And we've got to turn this thing around, and the way we'll do it is by playing 60 minutes. So that's the emphasis."
Pro Bowl receiver Andre Johnson, the only current player who was on Houston's roster before 2006, feels as frustrated as McNair.
"We know where we can be as a football team, but we're not at that point," Johnson said. "It's very discouraging, because we know we're a much better team than we've shown. The only way to get this nasty taste out of our mouths is by going out and winning a football game."
Kubiak is 35-39 in five seasons as Houston's coach. The Texans have endured a four-game losing streak in each of the last three years.
When asked about Kubiak's future, McNair said he was only thinking about Sunday's game.
"I always do what I think is in the best interest of this team, and that's what motivates me," he said. "It's in our best interest right now to get ready and play Tennessee and win this game, and that's what I expect us to do."
McNair said he still has faith in what the team can accomplish this season, and predicted a win on Sunday. The Texans are only two games behind Indianapolis in the AFC South, and have three division games remaining.
"I think we're going to go out and win this game," McNair said. "If we win this game, then probably we'll be in the second place in the division, one game out.
"My message to the fans is, this team has not quit," he said. "They're still fighting, and they'll continue fighting. I think that you're going to see some very pleasant things happening in the future."
Defensive end Antonio Smith isn't as optimistic.
"Am I worried about this team? Yeah, I'm worried about this team, of what could happen to it, of where it could go," Smith said. "It gets to the point where you're thinking the worst. But when you wake up and you come to work in the morning, you've got to shake it off and come with a new frame of mind.
"You can be worried about it," he said, "but you've got to put that in the back and go handle your business."
Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press
