On Cue From Phillips, Texans" Defense Turns Tough and Steady HOUSTON - Exhaustion hits Wade Phillips about 5 p.m. each day as if he had set an alarm clock. He no longer has a gallbladder, removed in surgery, and less than a month ago was watching from the hospital as the Houston Texans limped toward the playoffs. The return of Phillips, Houston's crusty and affable 64-year-old defensive coordinator, might not carry the strategic impact of his arrival this season. But his presence alone has given an emotional lift to the Texans, who reached the playoffs for the first time in the team's 10-year history and face the Cincinnati Bengals in an A.F.C. wild-card game Saturday at Reliant Stadium. "What Wade went through, just the way he was fighting to get back, and showing us, that for him, it was all about the team, that's so big," cornerback Danieal Manning said. Houston was dominating opponents with its new 3-4 defensive alignment before Phillips went for what he thought was a routine medical checkup. Ranked 30th in 2010, the Texans" defense made a stunning rise to No. 2 this season, behind the Pittsburgh Steelers and ahead of the Baltimore Ravens and the San Francisco 49ers, the next teams on the list. An early season-ending injury to defensive end Mario Williams figured to hurt Houston, but the Texans set a team record with 44 sacks. Offensively, they lost starting quarterback Matt Schaub and his backup Matt Leinart, and wide receiver Andre Johnson missed significant time, putting added pressure on the defense. Even so, the Texans allowed 9 fewer points per game than a year ago and continued to overcome adversity behind the calming influence of Phillips. "He's got everything under control all the time, and when the game gets crazy and it's a big play in the game, somebody's got to make a call - that's what players are looking for," Houston Coach Gary Kubiak said. A year ago, Phillips was reeling after being fired in midseason as coach of the Dallas Cowboys. His 3-4 defense there was en route to being remembered as the worst in that franchise's history. The Cowboys were 1-7 when the owner, Jerry Jones, made a decision that seemed to stun Phillips, who was quickly scooped up by Bob McNair, the Houston owner. "Sure, it's personally gratifying," Phillips said. I think you want to prove that you can do what you say you can do or that you think you can do, and you want to prove you're a good coach. That's all coaching is, really. You want to prove what kind of job we can do coaching-wise. I'm proud of what we did in Dallas, but I think this year has been special. Behind the rookie quarterback T. J. Yates, the Texans clinched the A.F.C. South title against the Bengals in Week 14, scoring with six seconds to play for a 20-19 victory here. But that buzz was muted by a three-game losing streak that the Texans insist has not hurt their momentum. "A lot of guys have had that sense of urgency this week that makes me feel like we're going to put on a good show," offensive lineman Eric Winston said. That mentality has been embodied by Phillips's quick recovery. He missed two games, both losses, but returned for last week's meaningless loss against Tennessee. Phillips will make Saturday's defensive calls from the press box, but players say it is hard to overestimate the chemistry he brings to them on the field. You could say he coached the same defense up there in Dallas: why's it working here? Manning said. It's the right timing, the right team, the right players, the right play calls, the right schedule. Plus, the guy's put in the work. Wade's put in his work for the right time and paid his dues.