The Houston Texans are still not at full strength, but we saw Sunday they are still more than strong enough to have their way in the AFC South.

On the heels of back-to-back losses, the Texans stormed into Nashville and left with first place in the division firmly in their grasps after routing the Tennessee Titans 41-7 in front of a stunned crowd at LP Field.

There is really no question who is the supreme team in the AFC South after witnessing the Texans (4-3) pretty much do what they wanted against the Titans (3-3). The concerns about the Texans ground attack are at least tempered after Arian Foster led a rushing effort that amassed 222 yards.

Foster by far was the star of the day, rushing for 115 yards and two touchdowns, while also charting 119 yards receiving to become the first Texans player to go over 100 yards rushing and receiving in the same game.  His 78-yard touchdown reception in the second quarter put the Texans ahead 17-0 and set the stage for their 20-0 halftime advantage.

Joining Foster in the ground attack was second-year back Ben Tate, who finished with 104 yards on the ground to mark the first time the Texans have had a two 100-yard rushers in a game.

Quarterback Matt Schaub, in his third straight game without star receiver Andre Johnson, had a highly efficient game after a slow start. He completed 18 of 23 passes for 296 yards and two touchdowns. The Texans punted at the end of their first two drives on the afternoon but then scored points on their next six of seven possessions in blowing out their division rivals.

But it wasn’t just the offense. The Texans defense performed brilliantly without Mario Williams for the entire game and safety Danieal Manning for most of the game. The unit, led by linebackers Brian Cushing and DeMeco Ryans, stifled running back Chris Johnson, frustrated quarterback Matt Hasselbeck and had the crowd at LP Field booing.

Johnson, who has been in a rut all season, gained just 18 yards on 10 carries. Hasselbeck had perhaps his worst outing in a Titans uniform, completing just 14 of 30 passes for 104 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions.

The Texans outgained the Titans 518-148 in total offensive yards for the day.

Entering the day, the Texans trailed Tennessee by a ½ game in the division but now are sole possession of first place as they return home next Sunday to face AFC foe Jacksonville at Reliant Stadium.