The Houston Texans, who host the Rams on Sunday at Reliant Stadium, are reeling. The two-time defending AFC South champs have lost their last three games and are just 4-8 since going 11-1 to open the 2012 season.

The majority of the Texans' struggles can be traced to the offense. More specifically to struggling veteran quarterback Matt Schaub.

Schaub, 32, has gone 21-10 as a starter while completing better than 63 percent of his passes in the last decade as a pro. But his recent interception woes - he's been picked off nine times in five games and has given up a pick-6 in each of his last four games, an NFL record - have forced Houston to play from behind much of this season.

But while fans in Houston are clamoring for back-up T.J. Yates, Texans head coach Gary Kubiak remains committed to Schaub.

"If you play enough in this league, especially at that position, you're probably going to go through some rough times," the coach and former quarterback said. "This is obviously a rough stretch and it's been difficult for the team. ... You've got to go back out there and man up and protect the ball and do your job."

Houston defensive end J.J. Watt, the reigning NFL defensive player of the year, also remains supportive of Schaub. And Watt is looking for the defense to lead the Texans out of their recent slump.

"No one player is going to win or lose a football game, so no one player deserves the blame," Watt said. "As a defense, we need to do a better job of getting takeaways, creating momentum. All we can do is go out there as a defense and play the absolute best that we can and give our offense as many chances as we can by getting the ball more often."

Defensively, the Texans have been among the league's best this season, ranking No. 1 overall (260.2 yards a game) and in pass defense (134.2 yards a game). Houston has yet to allow a 200-yard passer in 2013.

The run defense hasn't been nearly as stout, giving up 126 yards a game. The Texans are tied at 27th with the Rams and the New York Giants, but at least part of that can be traced to early-season games against the run-heavy Seahawks and 49ers.

"We've played a variety of offensive football teams and we've played excellent defense," Kubiak said. "All the pieces are in place, we're playing well and we're playing with a lot of confidence."

The Houston defense revolves around Watt, a 6-foot-5, 289-pound playmaker coming off one of the best defensive seasons in NFL history. The 11th overall selection in the 2011 draft, Watt broke out last year with 201/2 sacks and 16 passes defended. He led the Texans in tackles (107), tackles for loss (39) and quarterback hits (42).

He took part in a remarkable 95 plays last season that resulted in either no gain or negative yardage.

"Athletic (with an) extremely high motor," Rams offensive Brian Schottenheimer said when asked what makes Watt so good. "He plays all kinds of different gaps; he doesn't always play where he's supposed to, but he's so athletic, he just makes plays from trying hard. If he's not the best defensive lineman in the league, he's certainly in the top two or three."

Added Rams head coach Jeff Fisher: "We've got a red jersey on every snap at practice because you've got to know where (Watt) lines up. He's one of the better defensive players we'll face. He's very disruptive, quick, relentless ... we've got our hands full with him."

Watt is especially adept at batting down passes. Since the passes defended stat was adopted in 1991, he's the only player in league history with 15 sacks and 15 passes defended in the same season.

"It's something I've worked at and it's something that you keep working at," he said. "It's like any other skill ... there's a fine line between (knowing) when to continue your pass rush and when to stop and go for the batted ball."

Sam Bradford, the Rams quarterback, knows he must balance being mindful of Watt while continuing to play his own game.

"Obviously, he's made a lot of plays (batting down passes), but I think if you start looking for him and expecting him to do that, you take your eyes away from where they need to be down the field," Bradford said. "The guys on the outside are going to have to win and create separation, the guys up front, we're going to have to handle blitzes (and) I've got to be decisive and get the ball out of my hand quickly."

After starting his college career as a tight end at Central Michigan, Watt took a break from the game and was delivering pizzas when a youngster who recognized him from his Pewaukee (Wis.) High days asked why he wasn't playing football.

Watt said the humbling moment helped him re-dedicate himself to the game and to reach his potential. He eventually walked on at the University of Wisconsin, switched positions and earned All-Big 10 honors in both 2009 and 2010.

"He's a hard worker and he always wants to get better ... never takes a play off," said Rams tight end Lance Kendricks, who played with Watt at Wisconsin. "I'm trying to talk to the O-linemen, trying to tell them what kind of player he is."

Despite his meteoric rise in the NFL, Watt has remained humble.

"For me, the best thing about football is the opportunity to go out and compete every single week," the 24-year-old said. "I get to go out there and they pay us a lot of money to play a game and it's a lot of fun. I really enjoy the chance to go out every single week and see where you stand. ... You get to show what you're made of and, for me, that's exciting. I get to line up across from another man and it's me against him."

Kubiak admits that the Texans got more than they bargained for when they drafted Watt.

"He did make a lot of big plays in college - he was kind of an opportunistic player - but in all honesty, I don't think anybody knew the climb was happening as quick as it was," the coach said. "Obviously, he's going to get a ton of attention (from opposing blockers), but the fact that he has gotten so smart in our defensive scheme, I think (defensive coordinator Wade Phillips has) been able to do a lot with him."

Kubiak added: "He's amazing (and) it's an every-week thing. He's so dominant in training camp, we have a hard time getting plays off. But probably, as a coach, the thing that's so fun to watch is how much he loves to play the game. This guy gives everything he's got on every play ... he's just all-in in everything he does."