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Photo: Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle Image 1 of / 30 Caption Close Image 2 of 30 <big><b><center>Calvin Johnson, WR, Detroit Lions <h3></h3> Odds: 100/1 <big><b><center>Calvin Johnson, WR, Detroit Lions <h3></h3> Odds: 100/1 Photo: Rick Osentoski / Associated Press Image 3 of 30 <big><b><center>Julio Jones, WR, Atlanta Falcons <h3></h3> Odds: 100/1 <big><b><center>Julio Jones, WR, Atlanta Falcons <h3></h3> Odds: 100/1 Photo: Frank Victores / Associated Press Image 4 of 30 <big><b><center>Jordy Nelson, WR, Green Bay Packers <h3></h3> Odds: 100/1 <big><b><center>Jordy Nelson, WR, Green Bay Packers <h3></h3> Odds: 100/1 Photo: Mark Hoffman / McClatchy-Tribune News Service Image 5 of 30 Image 6 of 30 <big><b><center>Jimmy Graham, TE, New Orleans Saints <h3></h3> Odds: 100/1 <big><b><center>Jimmy Graham, TE, New Orleans Saints <h3></h3> Odds: 100/1 Photo: Ronald Martinez / Getty Images Image 7 of 30 <big><b><center>Steve Smith, WR, Baltimore Ravens <h3></h3> Odds: 100/1 <big><b><center>Steve Smith, WR, Baltimore Ravens <h3></h3> Odds: 100/1 Photo: Evan Vucci / Associated Press Image 8 of 30 <big><b><center>Eli Manning, QB, New York Giants <h3></h3> Odds: 75/1 <big><b><center>Eli Manning, QB, New York Giants <h3></h3> Odds: 75/1 Photo: Patrick Semansky / Associated Press Image 9 of 30 <big><b><center>LeSean McCoy, RB, Philadelphia Eagles <h3></h3> Odds: 50/1 <big><b><center>LeSean McCoy, RB, Philadelphia Eagles <h3></h3> Odds: 50/1 Photo: Marcio Jose Sanchez / Associated Press Image 10 of 30 Image 11 of 30 <big><b><center>Matthew Stafford, QB, Detroit Lions <h3></h3> Odds: 50/1 <big><b><center>Matthew Stafford, QB, Detroit Lions <h3></h3> Odds: 50/1 Photo: Leon Halip / Getty Images Image 12 of 30 <big><b><center>Tony Romo, QB, Dallas Cowboys <h3></h3> Odds: 50/1 <big><b><center>Tony Romo, QB, Dallas Cowboys <h3></h3> Odds: 50/1 Photo: Tim Sharp / Associated Press Image 13 of 30 <big><b><center>Jay Cutler, QB, Chicago Bears <h3></h3> Odds: 50/1 <big><b><center>Jay Cutler, QB, Chicago Bears <h3></h3> Odds: 50/1 Photo: David Banks / Getty Images Image 14 of 30 <big><b><center>Colin Kaepernick, QB, San Francisco 49ers <h3></h3> Odds: 33/1 <big><b><center>Colin Kaepernick, QB, San Francisco 49ers <h3></h3> Odds: 33/1 Photo: Marcio Jose Sanchez / Associated Press Image 15 of 30 Image 16 of 30 <big><b><center>Nick Foles, QB, Philadelphia Eagles <h3></h3> Odds: 33/1 <big><b><center>Nick Foles, QB, Philadelphia Eagles <h3></h3> Odds: 33/1 Photo: Ezra Shaw / Getty Images Image 17 of 30 <big><b><center>Andy Dalton, QB, Cincinnati Bengals <h3></h3> Odds: 33/1 <big><b><center>Andy Dalton, QB, Cincinnati Bengals <h3></h3> Odds: 33/1 Photo: Al Behrman / Associated Press Image 18 of 30 <big><b><center>Tom Brady, QB, New England Patriots <h3></h3> Odds: 25/1 <big><b><center>Tom Brady, QB, New England Patriots <h3></h3> Odds: 25/1 Photo: Charlie Riedel / Associated Press Image 19 of 30 <big><b><center>Drew Brees, QB, New Orleans Saints <h3></h3> Odds: 15/1 <big><b><center>Drew Brees, QB, New Orleans Saints <h3></h3> Odds: 15/1 Photo: Tim Sharp / Associated Press Image 20 of 30 Image 21 of 30 <big><b><center>Matt Ryan, QB, Atlanta Falcons <h3></h3> Odds: 15/1 <big><b><center>Matt Ryan, QB, Atlanta Falcons <h3></h3> Odds: 15/1 Photo: Jim Mone / Associated Press Image 22 of 30 <big><b><center>J.J. Watt, DL, Houston Texans <h3></h3> Odds: 15/1 <big><b><center>J.J. Watt, DL, Houston Texans <h3></h3> Odds: 15/1 Photo: Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle Image 23 of 30 <big><b><center>DeMarco Murray, RB, Dallas Cowboys <h3></h3> Odds: 10/1 <big><b><center>DeMarco Murray, RB, Dallas Cowboys <h3></h3> Odds: 10/1 Photo: Tim Sharp / Associated Press Image 24 of 30 <big><b><center>Russell Wilson, QB, Seattle Seahawks <h3></h3> Odds: 10/1 <big><b><center>Russell Wilson, QB, Seattle Seahawks <h3></h3> Odds: 10/1 Photo: John Cordes / Associated Press Image 25 of 30 Image 26 of 30 <big><b><center>Philip Rivers, QB, San Diego Chargers <h3></h3> Odds: 7/1 <big><b><center>Philip Rivers, QB, San Diego Chargers <h3></h3> Odds: 7/1 Photo: Denis Poroy / Associated Press Image 27 of 30 <big><b><center>Aaron Rodgers, QB, Green Bay Packers <h3></h3> Odds: 7/1 <big><b><center>Aaron Rodgers, QB, Green Bay Packers <h3></h3> Odds: 7/1 Photo: Jonathan Daniel / Getty Images Image 28 of 30 <big><b><center>Andrew Luck, QB, Indianapolis Colts <h3></h3> Odds: 5/1 <big><b><center>Andrew Luck, QB, Indianapolis Colts <h3></h3> Odds: 5/1 Photo: Andy Lyons / Getty Images Image 29 of 30 <big><b><center>Peyton Manning, QB, Denver Broncos <h3></h3> Odds: 4/1 <big><b><center>Peyton Manning, QB, Denver Broncos <h3></h3> Odds: 4/1 Photo: John Froschauer / Associated Press Image 30 of 30 'Heart-and-soul guy' Cushing leads Texans in tackles 1 / 30 Back to Gallery

After practice on Thursday, defensive coordinator Romeo Crennel talked about inside linebacker Brian Cushing bringing “a physical nature” to the game.

After practice today, coach Bill O’Brien reiterated Crennel’s sentiments on Cushing, who suffered season-ending knee injuries in each of the last two years.

“It takes time when guys are coming off knee injuries,” O’Brien said. “He’s becoming better and better, and he’s gaining more confidence in our system.”

Cushing leads the team with 37 tackles. He’s led the team in tackles in the last two games against the Giants and Bills even though he still hasn’t played a full game.

“He’s a heart-and-soul guy on this team,” O’Brien said.