NFL 2013 Week 1 Recap
The offseason is over. The nightmare is over. The waiting is over.
The National Football League is back.
Football is perfection, and perfection does not require hyperbole.
Here is the NFL 2013 Week 1 Recap.
Baltimore Ravens @ Denver Broncos—The 2012 world champion Baltimore Ravens traveled to Denver to take on the Broncos in a rematch of their epic playoff game from seven months ago. With 30 seconds remaining, the Broncos were on their way tot he AFC Title Game. Then came the Baltimore miracle, as Joe Flacco’s Hail Mary was answered. A game tied after the second, third, fourth and fifth quarters saw Baltimore win in double overtime. Now, seven months later, Denver was burning for revenge.
With Ray Lewis retired, this will be the first time since 1995 that somebody else will have to do the pregame screaming on the Baltimore sideline.
“What time is it? Game time! Any dogs in the house? Ruf ruf ruf!”
As for Denver, they are still led by one of the greatest quarterbacks to ever pick up a football, signal caller Peyton Manning.
The 2012 Super Bowl was delayed in the third quarter by a power failure in the stadium. The 2013 season opener was delayed before kickoff due to a lightning storm. Yet the agonizing offseason did end, and football did return.
With heavy rain coming down, both offenses began tentatively. On the second Baltimore possession, Flacco completed a 29 yard pass. On 3rd and 10 from the Denver 13, Flacco found Torrey Smith short of the marker, Smith bulled his way through a tackler and got just past the marker. On the next play Flacco found Vonte Leach for a two yard touchdown to complete the 80 yard drive as the Ravens had the first score of the 2013 season and a 7-0 lead.
Denver could not get anything going on offense but with 11:40 left in the half Flacco was intercepted by Chris Harris at the Denver 24. One play was enough for Manning to go deep to Julius Thomas for the tying touchdown. Denver returned the favor with eight minutes left in the half when Wes Welker fumbled a punt inside his own five yard line. Baltimore recovered at the two and Ray Rice leapt a Denver defender one play later to put the Ravens back on top 14-7. Manning brought the Broncos right back, as a catch and run to Julius Thomas for 44 yards was followed by a 23 yard touchdown pass to Thomas to tie the game again 14-14.
With ten seconds left in the half, a sure touchdown pass was dropped at the goal line. Instead the Ravens settled for a 35 yard Justin Tucker field goal to take a 17-14 lead into the locker rooms.
Denver got a break early in the third quarter when a 3rd and 9 pass was ruled a completion even though the ball hit the ground. Manning snapped the ball on the next play before John Harbaugh could challenge the call. Rather than a punt, two plays later Manning went to Andre Caldwell for a 28 yard touchdown to put the Broncos up 21-17. Special teams proved critical when Baltimore then suffered a blocked punt, giving Denver the ball at the Baltimore ten yard line. Manning hit Welker for the touchdown as the Broncos now had a 28-17 lead.
The tight game was broken wide open as now the Broncos were clicking on all cylinders. Manning threw his fifth touchdown pass, a sort toss to Wes Welker. Denver had a commanding 35-17 lead, and 6 1/2 minutes still remained in the third quarter.
The only four time NFL MVP continued his passing clinic in the fourth quarter. 2012 saw him come up just short of his fifth NFL MVP, but games like this one make a strong opening statement. His career-tying sixth touchdown pass went to Thomas as Denver was now romping 42-17.
While Baltimore is not the same without Ray Lewis and Ed Reed, football does not tolerate excuses. Denver played this game without the injured Champ Bailey and the suspended Von Miller. The Broncos are only going to get better when these guys return, which should scare anyone in the league who saw this season opener.
Peyton Manning is a perfectionist, and he will always look for something to improve on. He found it early in the fourth quarter in a game that was no longer a contest. Flacco was intercepted by Trevathan, who had a clear path to the end zone. Trevathan did his Leon Lett impersonation, showboating with the ball before crossing the goal line. Without being touched, a gift touchdown was instead a fumble and a touchback. When a team is winning by 25 points, a blunder like that leads to a mild ribbing rather than permanent goat status. Trevathan will not make that mistake again. Instead of a 49-17 Denver lead, the Broncos only led 42-24 when Flacco threw another touchdown pass.
Baltimore tacked on a field goal, but there would be no miracle comeback. From the Denver 20, with 4 1/2 minutes left in the game, Manning salted away the game and entered the NFL record book. He became only the sixth quarterback in NFL history to throw seven touchdown passes in a game, and the first one since Joe Kapp in 1969. A simple swing pass to Thomas saw Thomas outrace everybody for an 80 yard exclamation point.
Flacco would finish 34 of 62 for 362 yards and a couple of touchdown passes, but two costly interceptions. Yet those very good numbers paled in comparison to Manning, who was simply ridiculous. He went 26 for 41 for 452 yards, seven touchdown passes, and zero interceptions. This was a career game for him, which says a ton given his first ballot Hall of Fame career. The Broncos won 49-27 and got their revenge for last year.
Oakland Raiders @ Indianapolis Colts—Terrell Pryor got the nod to start the season, and early on his scrambling ability had the Raiders on the move. Yet after dinking and dunking to the Indianapolis side of the field, Pryor went for the bomb and was intercepted in the end zone. Andrew Luck led the Colts 10 plays and 89 yards over 6 minutes and threw a 12 yard touchdown pass to Reggie Wayne to make it 7-0 Colts. Luck came back and added a 20 yard touchdown pass to Allen to make it 14-0 Colts.
The Raiders moved the ball well despite being down, and Pryor led an 11 play, 85 yard drive that ate up 6 minutes of clock. Darren McFadden banged in from one yard out to have the Raiders only down 14-7. The Silver and Black missed a chance to get closer when Sebastian Janikowski missed a 48 yard field goal to end the half.
The Raiders fought hard in the second half, and a 38 yard field goal by Seabass had the Raiders within 14-10. Early in the fourth quarter, the Colts faced 4th and 1 at the Oakland 44. Chuck Pagano gambled, at Andrew Luck was sacked for a 13 yard loss. Pryor then hit Denarius Moore for a 5 yard touchdown as the Raiders looked to pull off the shocking upset.
Luck led an 11 play, 80 yard, 6 minute drive that came down to 3rd and 4 at the Oakland 19. Luck scrambled for the score as the Colts retook the lead. Yet the Raiders would not quit. Pryor from the Oakland 20 led the Raiders, and a 41 yard pass to Mastrud had them in business. On 4th and 9 from the Indy 29, Pryor hit Denarius Moore for 21 yards. Yet on the next play Pryor was sacked for a 17 yard loss. With 30 seconds left, on 3rd and goal from the 24, Pryor was intercepted for the second time by Antoine Bethea as the Raiders rally was snuffed out. 21-17 Colts
Tennessee Titans @ Pittsburgh Steelers—The strangest start to the season came on the opening kickoff. What looked like a touchback was ruled a safety for the Steelers. It was ruled that the bouncing, wobbly kickoff was picked up just outside the goal line, followed by a kneel-down in the end zone. Pittsburgh led 2-0 and then received the free kick. Pittsburgh moved right down the field and missed a golden opportunity to add to the lead when a fumble inside the Tennessee 5 yard line was recovered in the end zone by the Titans. This time they got their touchback.
Ben Roethlisberger, who is not Jewish, was intercepted late in the half at midfield. With 44 seconds left in the half Battle took it in from 3 yards out as the Titans led 7-2 at intermission. The second half was a barefisted slobberknocker that brought back memories of Bill Cowher and Jeff Fisher. Now it is Mike Munchak and Mike Tomlin. Tennessee added three field goals as they built a 16-2 lead over the lifeless Pittsburgh offense. Pittsburgh finally cracked the end zone on 4th and goal at the 4 with 1:23 to play as Roethlisberger hit Jerricho Cotchery for the score. The onside kick failed and the Titans had the hard fought upset. 16-9 Titans.
New England Patriots @ Buffalo Bills—The Bills needed only four minutes to fumble deep in their own territory and set the Patriots up at the Buffalo 10 yard line. Tom Brady fired to Julian Edelman, who is not Jewish, for the touchdown as the Patriots led 7-0. For some reason the rest of the game was played. Stephen Gostkowski added a 48 yard field goal to make it 10-0 Patriots.
The Bills got back in it when Stephen Ridley fumbled and Searcy returned it 74 yards for a score to have Buffalo only down 10-7. Brady went back to Edelman for an 8 yard touchdown. Yet when Buffalo rookie quarterback EJ Manuel went to Woods for an 18 yard connection, the Bills were only down 17-14 at intermission.
In the third quarter Manuel led the Bills 80 yards in 11 plays, as an 18 yard touchdown to Stevie St Johnson had the Bills up 21-17. Things got even more surprising when Tom Brady led the Patriots right back. On 4th and goal at the one, Bill Bellichick decided to go for it. Brady fumbled the snap and the Bills recovered for the goal line stand.
Early in the fourth quarter Brady moved the Patriots from their 15 to a 3rd and goal at the Buffalo 5. Again the Bills defense came up big as Brady was sacked. Gostkowski hit from 33 as the Patriots trailed 21-20 with 11 minutes left.
With 4 1/2 minutes left the Patriots had one last chance with the ball from their own 34. Brady worked the short passing game to perfection, and on 3rd and 8 from the Buffalo 39, Brady Hit Danny Amendola for 10 yards. With 9 seconds left, Gostkowski nailed a 35 yard field goal. The Bills made this a game, but the Patriots got the win. 23-21 Patriots
Minnesota Vikings @ Detroit Lions—The Vikings needed one play and 13 seconds for Adrian Peterson to run for a 78 yard touchdown. He is now 2422 yards away from 2500. David Akers is the first new kicker in Detroit in 21 years, as old reliable Jason Hanson finally retired. Akers hit from 33 and 42 as the Lions trailed 7-6.
Peterson added a 4 yard touchdown run to put the Vikings up 14-6. A key play in the second quarter came with the Lions at the Minnesota 2. Bell went over the top, got rocked at the goal line, and fumbled. However, it was correctly ruled that Bell had just barely broken the plane of the goal line, as the Lions trailed 14-13 at halftime.
Bell would add a one yard score in the third quarter to have the lions up 20-14. Walsh added a 52 yard field goal to get the Vikins within 20-17, but this was a game of big running plays. Peterson had his brilliance, but this time it was Reggie Bush for the Lions. Despite having dated a Kardashian, Bush took a screen pass from Matthew Stafford and turned it into a 77 yard touchdown and a 27-17 Lions lead.
Christian Ponder threw a 4 yard touchdown pass to Peterson as the Vikings only trailed 27-24 entering the final quarter. Yet when Minnesota got it back, Ponder fumbled at his own 38 and Detroit recovered. Matthew Stafford would hit Fauria to put the game out of reach. After his opening run, Peterson was held to only 15 more yards the rest of the game. 34-24 Lions
Seattle Seahawks @ Carolina Panthers–This was supposed to be a Seattle coronation but Carolina came out fighting. Seattle did mount a 15 play, 74 yard drive that ate up 9 minutes, resulting in a 27 yard Steven Hauschka field goal. Yet in the second quarter Cam Newton led Carolina 80 yards in 11 plays over 6 1/2 minutes, and a 3 yard touchdown pass to Steve Smith had the panthers up 7-3 at the half.
The second half continued this brutal defensive struggle. Hauschka hit a 40 yarded as the Seahawks trailed 7-6 after three quarters. One play made the difference in this game with 10 1/2 minutes left in regulation. Russell Wilson went deep to Kearse for a 43 yard touchdown. The 2 point conversion failed but the Seahawks had the 5 point lead. Cam Newton brought Carolina back. With 5 1/2 minutes left Carolina had 2nd and 2 at the Seattle 24. Deangelo Williams got the carry, gained 16 yards, and fumbled at the 8. Seattle recovered and ran out the clock for the gutty win. 12-7 Seahawks
Cincinnati Bengals @ Chicago Bears—Jay Cutler began by tossing an 8 yard touchdown to Bennett, but Andy Dalton hit AJ Green for scores of 2 and 45 yards. Those 2 drives were for 97 and 91 yards as the Bengals led 14-7. Robbie Gould hit a career high 58 yard field goal as time expired in the first half.
The Bengals moved 80 yards in 12 plays, and the law Firm Ben-Jarvus Green-Ellis ran it in from the 5 to cap the 7 minute drive and make it 21-10 Bengals. The Bears regrouped, and an 80 yard drive was capped off by Matt Forte running it in from one yard out. In the fourth quarter it was an 81 yard drive a Jay Cutler hit Brandon Marshall for a 19 yard touchdown to put the Bears back in front 24-21.
Chicago got it back at their own 28 with 6 1/2 minutes left looking to run out the clock. Heavy doses of Michael Bush brought everything to a head with the Bears facing 3rd and 6 at the Cincy 45 with 1:15 left. Bush only gained one yard, but a critical defensive unnecessary roughness penalty on Maualaga let Jay Cutler take a knee. These are the Bengals. 24-21 Bears
Miami Dolphins @ Cleveland Browns—Miami tacked a couple field goals on the board as Cleveland quarterback Brandon Weeden completed passes to the Miami defense. Yet Weeden did throw an 11 yard touchdown to Cameron as the Browns led 7-6 at halftime. The Dolphins woke up in the second half as Ryan Tannehill threw a 34 yard touchdown pass to Hartline. Billy Cundiff would hit a 39 yard field goal to get the Browns within 13-10 after threee quarters, but the fourth quarter was all Dolphins. Thomas ran it in from one yard out and Sturgis tacked on his third field goal. New season, same Browns. 23-10 Dolphins
Kansas CIty Chiefs @ Jacksonville Jaguars—Jacksonville blocked a punt for a safety and a 2-0 lead. This concludes the Jaguars highlights. The Walrus Lite Andy Reid era exploded in Kansas City. Alex Smith hit Avery for 5 yards and Hemingway for 3 yards, both of them touchdowns. Jamal Charles ran it in from 2 yards out as the Chiefs romped 21-2 at the break. In the fourth quarter Blaine Gabbert completed a touchdown pass to Hali, who plays defense for Kansas City. The 10 yard interception return sealed the win. Kansas City is now officially a real football team. Jacksonville is not. 28-2 Chiefs
Tampa Bay Buccaneers @ New York Jets—This game did not feature a butt-fumble, but Josh Freeman did fumble the ball out of the end zone for a safety as the Jets led 2-0. Yet Freeman then hit Williams for a 17 yard score as the Bucs led 7-2. Nick Folk hit a 43 yard field goal for Gang Green, but Pewter Power saw Doug Martin run it in from 5 yards out to have the Bucs up 14-5. Geno Smith did throw a 7 yard touchdown pass to Kellen Winslow as the Jets trailed 14-12 at intermission.
As hideous as this game was supposed to be, it was even uglier than that. Nick Folk hit a 30 yard field goal in the fourth quarter to make it 15-14 Jets. With less than one minute remaining, Ryan Lindell hit a 37 yarded as the Bucs led 17-15. The game was supposed to be over with a Bucs win.
The Jets had only 34 seconds left from their own 20. Geno Smith hit Kellen Winslow for 25 yards. Smith then scrambled for 10 yards when he was hit out of bounds. The critical personal foul turned a 63 yard field goal try into a 48 yarded. Folk was good, and the Bucs had a bitter loss they could blame on the refs. 18-17 Jets
Atlanta Falcons @ New Orleans Saints—Matt Ryan hit Tony Gonzalez for a 7 yard touchdown and Mat Bryant added a 23 yard field goal as the Falcons led 10-0 after the opening quarter. The Saints got going in the second quarter as Garrett Hartley hit a 48 yard field goal and Marquis Colston caught a 25 yard touchdown from Drew Brees to tie it 10-10. Hartley added a 31 yarded to make it 13-10 Saints at halftime.
The offense continued in the third quarter. Ryan hit Julio Jones for a 4 yard score as the Falcons retook the lead 17-13. Yet Brees brought the Saints right back with a 10 play, 80 yard, 5 1/2 minute drive. A 7 yard pass to Graham had the Saints up again 20-17. In the fourth quarter Brees led the Saints down the field with a chance to put the game away. Yet the Falcons held at the 5 yard line, and the Saints settled for a 22 yard Hartley field goal and a six point lead. Matty Ice Ryan led the Falcons from their 20 with 3:12 to play all the way to a 4th and goal at the 3 wit 49 seconds left. With everything on the line, Ryan was intercepted in the end zone by Roman Harper as the Saints gutted out the tough win in the first game back for Sean Payton. 23-17 Saints
Arizona Cardinals @ St. Louis Rams—Carson Palmer and Bruce Arians have created a sense of offensive optimism in Arizona while Jeff Fosher has given the Rams an attitude on defense. After a scoreless first quarter, Palmer hit Larry Fitzgerald for a 4 yard touchdown to cap off an 80 yard drive and make it 7-0 Cardinals. Greg “The Leg” Zeurlein hit a 36 yarded for the Rams. Palmer led a 13 play, 80 yard, 6 minute drive that stalled as Jay Feely hit a 30 yarded to make it 10-3 Cardinals. Sam Badford responded with a 12 play, 80 yard, 5 minute drive that culminated with a 13 yard touchdown to Cook to make it 10-10 at halftime.
In the third quarter Palmer was intercepted, giving the Rams 1st and goal at the 4. Yet the defense held and the Rams settled for a 25 yard field goal and a 13-10 lead. Yet then it was Bradford who blundered, as an interception was returned 2 yards for a touchdown to make it 17-13 Cardinals. When the Cardinals got it back. Palmer led them 83 yards in 11 plays. The 5 minute drive saw Palmer go to Fitzgerald for a 24 yard score as the Cardinals led 24-13 after three quarters.
The fourth quarter saw momentum change. Bradford led the Rams 80 yards and hit Cook for a one yard touchdown. The Rams went for 2 and Bradford got in to get the Rams within 24-21. The Cardinals quickly turned it over, but the Rams could not move the ball, settling for a 38 yard field goal and a 24-24 game.
With 45 seconds left in regulation, Zuerlein came in again to try a 48 yarded. He drilled it, and the Rams had the lead. Palmer was soon sacked, and there would be no comeback for Arizona as the Rams got the comeback win. 27-24 Rams
Both quarterbacks moved the ball well to start. Colin Kaepernick led a 13 play, 83 yard, 7 minute drive that ended with a 20 yard strike to Vernon Davis to put the 49ers on the board. then Aaron Rodgers rapidly moved the Packers 80 yards and hit Randall Cobb for the 5 yard score as the teams were tied 7-7 after the first quarter.
In the second quarter after a Green Bay miscue, Kaepernick hit Anquon bolding for a 10 yard score to have the 49ers in the lead again. Late in the half the 49ers missed a chance to extend the lead when Phil Dawson missed a 48 yard field goal. Rodgers took advantage very late in the half. From the Frisco 12, Rodgers hit Finley, who broke a tackle, somehow maintained his balance, and got to the end zone as the teams were again tied 14-14 at the half
In the third quarter the 49ers enjoyed another 80 yard drive. Kaepernick would finish it off with a 2 yard toss to Davis as they took the 21-14 lead.
ernick would finish it off with a 2 yard toss to Davis as they took the 21-14 lead. Yet Rodgers matched Kaepernick blow for blow. An 8 yard touchdown to Jordy Nelson tied the game for the third time regulation at 21-21. Kaepernick then had his turn, moving the 49ers to the Packers 10. Yet this time a sack of Kaepernick had the 49ers opening the fourth quarter by settling for a field goal and a 24-21 lead.
The shootout continued as 76 yards came easily for Rodgers. With 8 1/2 minutes to play, rookie running back Eddie Lacy scored his first NFL touchdown by leaping over the top from the 2 yard line and getting just past the pillion to make it 28-24 Packers. The pinball machine continued as the Packers 76 yards in 2 1/2 minutes was matched by the 49ers going 80 yards in 2 1/2 minutes. Frank Gore scored from one yard out to put the 49ers back in front 31-28 with over 6 minutes left in regulation.
Green Bay would fail to move the ball, and Jim Harbaugh decided to gamble on 4th and 2 from the Packers 36 with 3 minutes left. Kaepernick hit Boldin, setting up a field goal with 40 seconds left. Down by 6, Rodgers moved the Packers to the Frisco 42. There was time for one Hail Mary. Yet Rodgers was swarmed and threw a short pass incomplete. This was a fine football game, and the 49ers got the hard fought win behind 412 yards passing by Kaepernick and over 200 receiving yards by Boldin. 34-28 49ers
New York Giants @ Dallas Cowboys—Eli Manning was intercepted on the first play from scrimmage, yet from the Giants 15 Dallas netted only a field goal. On their second play from scrimmage Manning found Hakeem Nicks for a 57 yard gain. Yet on 1st and goal from the Dallas 8, David Wilson fumbled and the Cowboys recovered. The GIants got it back and Manning was intercepted by Will Allen for their third turnover in 6 minutes.
Dallas faced 3rd and 11 at the Giants 14 when Tony Romo had a pass deflected and intercepted by Prince Amukamara. Amukamara returned it 91 yards to the Dallas one yard line. The Giants lost yards and kicked a field goal to tie the game 3-3. With 10 minutes left in the half Bailey hit a 38 yarder to have the Cowboys up 6-3.
Midway through the second quarter the Cowboys finally got going on offense as Romo moved the Giants 71 yards. A 15 yard touchdown to Jason Witten had the Cowboys up 13-3. The Giants came right back, as Manning hit Victor Cruz and Cruz split the seam for a 70 yard touchdown connection to get the Giants within 13-10 at the 2 minute warning.
The Big Blue miscues continued to kill them in the third quarter. The Giants fumbled again, and Church took it 27 yards to the promised land to make it 20-10 Cowboys. Another turnover set Dallas up at the Giants 16. Romo hit Witten for the 4 yard score to make it 27-10 Dallas. Yet the Giants clawed back, as Manning tok the Giants 80 yards. He hit Cruz for the 18 yard touchdown to get the Giants within 27-17. Bailey tacked on a 45 yard field goal with 12 minutes left in regulation to give Dallas a 30-17 cushion.
Yet the Giants would not go away as Manning rapidly moved them 90 yards. On 3rd and 2 from the Dallas 10, Manning connected with Cruz for the third time to get the Giants within 30-24 with 9 minutes left in regulation.
At the 2 minute warning the Giants had 1st and 10 at their own 48. Maning threw a dumpoff pass that bounced off the receiver’s hands and straight into the arms of Brandon Carr, who took it 49 yards for the clinching touchdown. Despite 450 yards passing, Manning was done in by his team committing 6 turnovers. The Giants got the garbage touchdown with 11 seconds left but the onside kick failed. 36-31 Cowboys
Philadelphia Eagles @ Washington Redskins—The Chip Kelly era looked perfect on the first few plays as Michael Vick ran the up tempo offense to a 1st and goal at the Washington 5. Vick then threw a swing pass that was batted down. The Eagles stopped, thinking it was incomplete. Deangelo Hall realized it was a backward pass, a live ball, and soon became a 75 yard Washington touchdown the other way as the Redskins led 7-0.
Vick kept firing without a huddle, directing the Eagles to a 48 yard Alex Henery field goal as Philadelphia trailed 7-3. Washington needed one play to fumble the ball away as the Eagles took over at the Redskins 25. Philadelphia needed one play to go deep to Desean Jackson for the touchdown as the Eagles led 10-7. RGIII went deep and was intercepted. The Eagles were finally slowed down and punted but the Washington blunders continued.
From their own 5, RGIII pitched the ball to Alfred Morris, who fumbled it in the end zone. Morris fell on it but the Eagles got the safety to lead 12-7. In the second quarter the Eagles kept rolling as Vick threw a 28 yard touchdown pass to Captain Morgan Brent Celek to make it 19-7 Eagles. A short Washington punt gave the Eagles a short field, and a draw play by Vick went for a 3 yard touchdown as the Eagles were walloping Washington 26-7.
The third quarter was more of the same as RGIII threw an interception and Leshean McCoy broke off a 34 yard run to make it 33-7 Eagles. One play earlier Vick scrambled, knocking over a referee and Mike Shanahan.
RGIII led a furious rally as Morris ran for a 5 yard touchdown and Hankerson caught a 10 yard touchdown pass. With just over one minute to play RGIII hit Hankerson again for a 24 yard score to get the Redskins within 6. Yet the onsides kick failed and the Eagles held on for the win. 33-27 Eagles
Houston Texans @ San Diego Chargers—This one will be talked about in San Diego for some time as the Mike McCoy era began in stunning fashion. One play was enough for Matt Schaub to be intercepted. One play was enough for Philip Rivers to hit Ryan Mathews for a 14 yard touchdown to make it 7-0 Chargers. Schaub came back and led the Texans 71 yards in 10 plays to tie the game 7-7 with a one yard toss to Owen Daniels. The Chargers then turned into the second coming of Air Coryell.
In the second quarter Rivers hit Eddie Royal for a 6 yard touchdown and Brown for a 10 yard score. Rivers went back to Royal for a one yard touchdown in the third quarter. The Chargers led 28-7 as Rivers had 4 touchdown passes. Then, everything changed.
Schaub put on a clinic, finishing 34 of 45 for 346 yards, 3 touchdowns, and the interception to start. In the third quarter Schaub hit Graham for 7 yards. In the fourth quarter Schaub hit Daniels for a 9 yard score as the Texans were only down 28-21.
Rivers then threw a perfect pass to Brian Cushing, who plays defense for the Texans. Cushing returned the interception 18 yards for the tying score at 28-28.
With 4 minutes left in regulation the Texans took over at their own 39. Schaub hit Daniels for 11 and Andre Johnson for gains of 9, 6, and 8. With 5 seconds on the clock, Bullock came in for the winning field goal try. From 41 yards out, the kick was good and the Texans had a shocking comeback. The Chargers can no longer blame their failures on Norvelous Norv Turner, who was fired last year. These are the Chargers. 31-28 Texans
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