HOUSTON - The Houston Texans are 2-0 for the first time in franchise history and are preparing for another first this weekend: a meeting with AFC South foe Indianapolis that actually means something.

The perennial AFC South bottom feeders are tied with the Super Bowl champions atop the divisional standings and host Indianapolis Sunday at Reliant Stadium, the site of the Colts’ last loss.

Houston has won four straight games dating back to last year’s 27-24 Christmas Eve upset of Indianapolis.

The Texans improved to 2-0 by looking nothing like their former selves on Sunday to match their win total from the entire 2005 season. Houston scored a team-record 34 points and by rallying from 14-point deficit, and the 34-21 win over Carolina marked the biggest road comeback in team history.

In the win, they showed attributes the Texans of old never had. Coach Gary Kubiak said he was impressed with the way his team didn’t get rattled after getting behind early.

“We said if they start fast, we won’t panic and if we start fast, it won’t be enough, so let’s play all day,” Kubiak said. “It’s something we had addressed and talked about. We were the reason they started fast. We were pretty sloppy early in the game. I think our guys had it under control on the sidelines.”

That calmness under pressure can be directly linked to Houston’s first-year starting quarterback, Matt Schaub.

“Our quarterback played exceptionally well, handled the game very well,” Kubiak said. “He made a few mistakes as I said he’s going to make, but then in the overall big picture he handled the football team extremely well and did a great job with our group, keeping them poised.”

Schaub, who started just two games before this season, threw for 227 yards and two touchdowns in his second straight solid game. He has an 111.4 passer rating and his three touchdown passes this season are one more than former starter David Carr threw in the last 10 games of 2006.

And speaking of Carr, Schaub wasn’t sacked once on Sunday while facing Carolina’s tough defense. Carr, who watched the game from the sidelines as the Panthers’ backup, was taken down 249 times in five seasons in Houston.

“We knew that our guys up front would have to play exceptional for us to win,” Kubiak said. “Really, in calling the game, we have to keep those guys in good position. If we had long third downs, we were going to be in trouble.”

Kubiak said he hasn’t thought a lot about Houston’s current winning streak, but that he does see a big difference in his players this season.

“I think our kids just expect a lot out of each other,” he said. “They’re very hard on each other. They’re growing up as a group. I just think they’re gaining confidence in what they’re doing.”

The only bad news of the week was Monday’s announcement that Pro Bowl receiver Andre Johnson’s knee sprain could keep him out of Sunday’s game. An MRI on Johnson’s sprained left knee revealed no damage that would require surgery, but Kubiak said it was “doubtful” he would play Sunday.

He will be re-evaluated in the middle of the week. Johnson has 262 yards receiving with three touchdowns this season.

Notes: Rookie cornerback Fred Bennett has a hamstring injury and is listed as day-to-day. Tight end Mark Bruener is recovering from the flu. Defensive end Earl Cochran has a minor abdominal strain and should be OK. Kubiak said Ron Dayne is “banged up” but should also be fine.