Joe Gibbs and Charley Casserly, who successfully collaborated at Washington during Gibbs’ first coaching tenure, meet this weekend as rivals, with Casserly currently serving as the VP/General Manager of the Houston Texans. Both still have one thing in common, however: their respective teams are off to disappointing starts this season, and eye this weekend’s contest as a chance to put themselves back on the right track.

This week, Redskins quarterback Mark Brunell found himself back under scrutiny for his performances this season. Brunell’s teammates were quick to offer their beleaguered colleague a measure of unequivocal support–receiver Santana Moss, especially so: “That’s our dude. I’m riding with him till his wheels fall off.” For his part, Clinton Portis has vowed that his return Sunday will bring about a change in fortune: “I don’t have any concerns [about the team]. Once you plug me back in, I think a lot of things are going to change.”

And change they must, for the defense as well, who have thus far underperformed and yet avoided the sort of criticism heaped upon Brunell. If there’s one single problem that has plagued the Houston Texans from their inception, it has been their notable weakness along the offensive line. Quarterback David Carr has been sacked so many times in his career that he should be allowed to invoke the Geneva Conventions. If Washington cannot mount a pass rush against the Texans, you have to question whether they have what it takes to surmount a row of strategically arranged beach umbrellas.

Odds would seem to favor Washington, but a week after lending Drew Bledsoe some measure of instant-career rejuvenation, the pressure is on them to beat a beatable team. One thing working in their favor: since the season DCist began covering the Redskins, they have posted a .692 regular season record against all other teams in the -ist network (including a scintillating 6-1 last season). We’ll pretend that matters, and hope for the best this Sunday.