NASHVILLE — Matt Schaub trumped Chris Johnson's career day by throwing for 357 yards and 4 touchdowns, Kris Brown kicked a 23-yard field goal in the closing minutes, and Houston ruined Tennessee's home opener with a 34-31 victory Sunday.
Johnson scored three touchdowns and ran for 197 yards. He also had 87 yards receiving.
The Texans spent the past week answering questions about their toughness after losing to the New York Jets 24-7 in their home opener. Coach Gary Kubiak said the victory didn't answer any questions about Houston's toughness, though what he liked best Sunday was how Houston battled back after trailing 21-7 early in the second quarter.
"It says a lot about what your guys stand for," Kubiak said.
The celebration inside the Texans' locker room easily could be heard outside before the doors opened. Schaub said there will always be questions from outsiders.
"This shows what kind of team we are and what we're becoming and what our mentality is. We had to go out and play four quarters against a very good football team," Schaub said.
The Texans (1-1) won their first game in the month of September since Sept. 16, 2007, and just their second ever in Nashville.
"It started off ugly, but we talked last night as a team and we said all we have was each other," Pro Bowl receiver Andre Johnson said. "No one was giving us a chance to win this game."
They also sent the Titans (0-2) skidding a different direction after starting 10-0 last season.
"We've got some work to do," Titans Coach Jeff Fisher said.
After Brown kicked the go-ahead field goal with 2:55 left, the defending AFC South champs had one last chance - until Kerry Collins dropped the ball with 1:32 left and Jeff Zgonina recovered for Houston.
The game was a shootout with the score tied four different times and tempers flared with Titans defensive tackle Jason Jones ejected for throwing a punch in a sideline scrum in the fourth quarter. He left to cheers from fans upset with the officiating.
"I was told he went into the bench swinging, and if he does he should be kicked out and should be fined substantially if he did it," Fisher said. "I have to find out. I didn't see it."
Houston sacked Collins once and intercepted him once. But Collins bobbled the ball all by himself trying to help the Titans answer back.
"You hate to let these get away," Collins said. "We all had a part in this one, including myself. ... There at the end I needed to make a play, and I didn't do it."
Sports, Pages 18 on 09/21/2009