Texans win; Johnson fears ban after fight

HOUSTON - Andre Johnson politely asked Cortland Finnegan to stop it. By the fourth quarter, Houston's star receiver had simply had it with the Tennessee cornerback's antagonistic antics.

Their feisty duel exploded into a full-blown fistfight late in the Texans' 20-0 win over the Titans yesterday. Both players were ejected, and the ugly incident could lead to further discipline from the NFL.

And could also lead to Johnson missing Thursday night's game against the host Eagles.

"He kept doing little things and I told him: 'Just because you're frustrated, you need to stop what you're doing,' " Johnson said. "I guess he thought it was funny."

The usually soft-spoken Johnson caught nine passes and a touchdown before being escorted off the field to a standing ovation. But he was remorseful after the game.

"I really don't have anything to say about Cortland," Johnson said. "I would like to apologize to the organization, our owner, and my teammates. What happened out there today was not me. I just lost my cool and I wish that I could take back what happened, but I can't. It's over and done with now.

"I'm pretty sure that I'll be disciplined for it. When that time comes, I'll find out what it is and have to deal with it from there . . . I hope that I'm not suspended for the next game."

Finnegan did not speak to reporters after the game.

Arian Foster rushed for 143 yards and also caught nine passes for the Texans (5-6), who had their first shutout since 2004.

This was Round 2 between Johnson and Finnegan. Last season, Johnson was fined $7,500 for taking Finnegan to the ground by the face mask during a scuffle after a play in a 34-31 Texans win.

The matchup of the two top rushers in the AFC, Foster and Chris Johnson, was a mismatch. Foster set a Texans record with his sixth 100-yard game of the season. Johnson managed a career-low 5 yards on seven carries.