Schaub rallies Texans past Jaguars, 43-37
For weeks Andre Johnson has been saying he was finally feeling like himself again after last year's injury plagued season.
He hopes his career-best 273-yard performance, including a 48-yard game-winning touchdown reception, in Houston's 43-37 overtime win over Jacksonville on Sunday proves his point.
''Maybe you guys will believe me after that,'' Johnson said with a laugh.
Johnson's 273 yards receiving on a career-high 14 receptions were the most in the NFL since 2000.
Matt Schaub threw for 527 yards and career-high five scores as the Texans rallied from a 14-point fourth quarter deficit for the victory.
Schaub said he didn't have to say anything to the team before the game-winning drive.
''We knew what we had to get done,'' the quarterback said.
Schaub's yards passing are tied for the second most in NFL history. Warren Moon also threw for 527 yards for the Houston Oilers in December 1990 against Kansas City. Norm Van Brocklin holds the record with 554 for the Rams in 1951.
''Tremendous play by our quarterback, and probably as good a day as I've ever seen by a wide receiver,'' Houston coach Gary Kubiak said. ''As a matter of fact, I know it is.''
Chad Henne threw for 354 yards and a career-high four touchdowns filling in for Blaine Gabbert after he bruised his right elbow on a hit on Jacksonville's first series.
Jaguars coach Mike Mularkey thought Henne did a nice job, but wouldn't say who will start for his team next week.
''After I evaluate the tape, a decision will be made,'' he said.
Henne had some big plays to rookie receiver Justin Blackmon, who had a season-high seven catches for 236 yards.
''He has gotten better and better and better every week, and today was good for him and good for our team to see that,'' Mularkey said of Blackmon, a first-round pick. ''I'm sure it will carry over.''
Houston had a shot to win it earlier in overtime, but Schaub was intercepted by Derek Cox. But they got another chance after Jacksonville's offense stalled to set up Johnson's game-winner.
''Bad things are going to happen,'' Johnson said of Schaub's interception in overtime. ''But you have to move on from it.''
The teams exchanged field goals in overtime to tie it at 37-all.
Houston could have won it in regulation, but Shayne Graham's field goal attempt from 47 yards was wide left. It would have been from 42, but the Texans had a false start when they first lined up to kick it.
Houston used a 1-yard touchdown reception by Garrett Graham to get within 34-27 with about six minutes remaining.
Blackmon was open, but couldn't handle the throw on third down and the Jaguars had to punt after that, giving the Texans a chance to tie it.
The Texans capped a 90-yard drive with a 5-yard touchdown reception by Graham to tie it at 34-all with about 1 1/2 minutes left.
Keshawn Martin was chased down from behind by the punter on a 71-yard return early in the fourth quarter with Houston trailing by a touchdown. But the Texans came up empty when Schaub was intercepted by Paul Posluszny two plays later.
The Jaguars were facing third-and-21 on the ensuing drive when Henne hit Blackmon over the middle, and he shed a pair of defenders on the way to an 81-yard touchdown to make it 34-20.
Jacksonville went up 17-14 early in the third on a 40-yard field goal by Josh Scobee.
Arian Foster fumbled three plays later and the Jaguars recovered on the Houston 11. Jacksonville took advantage of the turnover when a wide-open Marcedes Lewis grabbed a 1-yard touchdown pass to push the lead to 27-17 later in the third.
Houston settled for a 27-yard field goal when the offense stalled inside the red zone to cut the lead to 27-20 near the end of the third quarter.
Houston took an early 7-0 lead when Schaub connected with rookie Martin on a 9-yard touchdown pass in the first quarter.
Gabbert was injured when he was hit by Danieal Manning and fumbled on Jacksonville's first drive.
Henne took over and the Jaguars evened it up when Lewis grabbed a 13-yard reception from him later in the first.
Cecil Shorts got in front of the defense on a 67-yard catch and run to give Jacksonville a 14-7 lead early in the second quarter.
The Texans answered with a 1-yard touchdown reception by tight end James Casey to tie it again.
The teams exchanged field goals late in the second quarter to leave tied at 17-all at halftime.
NOTES: Posluszny received four stitches on his forehead after being injured in overtime. ... RB Jalen Parmele had 80 yards rushing. .... Gabbert was 2 of 2 for 24 yards before leaving the game. ... Graham's two touchdowns were a career-high.
---
Online: http://pro32.ap.org/poll and http://twitter.com/AP-NFL