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Live Commentary: San Diego Chargers 28-31 Houston Texans - as it happened

Join Sports Mole's commentary from the AFC clash between the San Diego Chargers and the Houston Texans.
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The Houston Texans recorded a 21-point comeback to beat the San Diego Chargers in their NFL season opener.

San Diego were in command at the break and took a 28-7 lead early in third quarter, as quarterback Philip Rivers threw four touchdown passes.

However, the Texans rallied with the help of some excellent play by their quarterback Matt Schaub and costly penalty from Chargers defensive tackle Cam Thomas to record a 31-28 win at Qualcomm Stadium.

Read how all the action unfolded in our commentary below.


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Good morning and welcome to the live commentary of the AFC clash between the San Diego Chargers and the Houston Texans.

It has been on off-season of change for the Chargers after they fired Norv Turner as head coach and replaced him with Mike McCoy, formerly offensive coordinator of the Denver Broncos.

Philip Rivers is still at the club despite his poor 2012 season, and a lot will be expected of him this year if he is to keep his job in the near future. However, he will be forced to do it with a depleted receiving corps after star wideout Danario Alexander went down with a torn ACL during pre-season.

The Chargers will need to get something out of running back Ryan Mathews, who has been disappointing since his arrival in the league in 2010. He has failed nail down his starting place after being selected 12th overall in the 2010 Draft, due to many injuries.

The Texans are looking to take the next step after falling for the second straight year in the Divisional Round in the playoffs. Their formidable defense led by Defensive Player of the Year JJ Watt will be as good if not better than last year, as players such as Whitney Mercilus and Brooks Reed get more experience in their system.

On the offensive side of the ball the Texans have finally got Matt Schaub another weapon besides Andre Johnson, in the form of DeAndre Hopkins, who they drafted in the first round of the Draft.

Hopkins should enable Schaub to open up the passing game, which will take men away from the box allowing more space for outstanding back Arian Foster to thrive. If that happens the Texans could be in line for a successful season indeed.

Houston will begin at their 15 after Keshawn Martins takes the ball out of the endzone for 15 yards.

INTERCEPTION CHARGERS!

Schaub throws an interception with his first throw of the night as Jarrett Johnson gets his hands on the ball and it loops up into the hands of Cam Thomas, but he gets tackled before he can get to the endzone.

TOUCHDOWN SAN DIEGO!

Philip Rivers strikes with his first pass as he throws to Mathews on a wheel route, he catches the ball in stride and walks into the endzone for a touchdown.

Quick recap of the action, there have been two punts since the opening score from the Chargers as neither offense has been able to get anything going, worryingly for the Texans.

Another good defensive stand from the Texans forces Matt Scifres into another punt. Let's see if the visitors can get anything going on this drive.

Houston finally enter San Diego territory as Schaub finds Owen Daniels for an 18-yard pass off play-action, a staple of the Texans offense.

Ben Tate drives into the redzone and picks up a first down for his side with a 14-yard run, as he rams into Marcus Gilchrist to pick up the yardage.

Runs from Tate and Foster open the door for the Texans as Foster picks up the first down with a run through the middle, to take his side to the one.

TOUCHDOWN TEXANS!

The Texans tie things up in this game as Schaub finds Daniels in the endzone for a one-yard strike off a play-action pass, where he faked to Foster before throwing to the tight end. Randy Bullock adds the extra point.

The Chargers come back at the Texans as they pick up a first down through Danny Woodhead, who jukes Mercilus and catches Rivers's pass for 11 yards.

Another pickup from the Chargers, as Rivers finds Antonio Gates on a slant route, he beats DJ Swearinger and runs for eight yards before he's brought down.

Mathews fights to gain three yards against the strong Texans defensive line to move the Chargers to the Houston 44, that will be the end of the first quarter.

END OF FIRST QUARTER: San Diego Chargers 7-7 Houston Texans

Rivers finds Woodhead in the backfield and he does well to reach for the first down marker, but he comes up just short, but the Chargers are going for it on fourth down.

The Chargers pick up the first down as Mathews drives right through the middle of the defensive line to gain the yard needed.

A big pass interference call on the Texans as Bryce McCain was all over Eddie Royal as Rivers looped a pass over the top for his receiver. The right call was made the Chargers move to the six.

TOUCHDOWN CHARGERS!!

The Chargers regain the lead as Rivers throws a six-yard strike to Royal, who again beats McCain in man coverage, he jinks to the left of the end zone and the quarterback loops the ball up and he catches in stride to secure the points. Nick Novak adds the extra point.

Schaub responds for the Texans as he picks up a first down with a sideline throw to Johnson for 18 yards to get his side moving.

Another good throw and run from the Schaub to Daniels, the tight end does well after the catch to pick up more yardage to move his side into San Diego territory, with a 28-yard reception.

The drive ends after good runs from Foster and Tate for five and four yards respectively put the Texans in and third and one situation but Donald Butler comes up with a good hit on third to stop Foster getting the required yardage. The Texans go for it on fourth.

The Chargers get the stop! Potentially a huge moment in this game as inside linebacker Bront Bird shoots the gap and brings down Foster short of the first down on fourth and one. A huge play!!

Rivers and his offense take over at their 27. A score here would be massive for the home side.

SACK!! The Texans defense hold the Chargers to a three and out as Danieal Manning comes in with a delayed blitz on third down and short, to sack Rivers for a seven-yard loss.

A punt from Scifres puts the Texans on their 28 after Keshawn Martin accepts the fair catch.

TOUCHDOWN TEXANS!!

Schaub hits Johnson on a post route over the middle of the field and he runs across and leaps over two tackles. He thinks he isn't touched after going to ground and runs straight to the endzone and the referee agrees and awards the score, which would be 67-yard touchdown. However, the play is under review, so this could come back, for a first down only.

NO TOUCHDOWN!!! Johnson was touched before he went down so, he is ruled down by contact at the San Diego 40.

The Texans get a huge break, as a defensive stand by the Chargers is negated by a hold by cornerback Richard Marshall on Hopkins. The home side were delighted after their stand but their emotions soon turned. The visitors will get a first down at the San Diego 32.

This time a penalty on the Texans side of the ball stops them from converting as a hold from Lester Jean stops a third down run from Foster, on the repeat of the down Schaub's pass can't find Daniels.

FIELD GOAL NO GOOD!! The field goal from Bullock goes wide left from 51 yards out. The Chargers will start on their 41.

An incompletion from Rivers looking Malcom Floyd will take us to the two-minute warning at Qualcomm Stadium.

Rivers picks up the first down with his feet, as he can't find an open receiver, the space opens up in front of him and he runs 18 yards before he's hit by Jonathan Joseph.

Another big pickup by the Chargers on third down as Rivers finds Gates on a stutter cross in the middle of the field as he beats Swearinger again and runs 34 yards to the Texans five.

Third and goal from the 10 and Rivers finds Vincent Brown on a crossing pattern, he beats two men and dives for the endzone but comes up just short, as the line judge spots the ball on the one. The play is under review, so we could have a touchdown here.

TOUCHDOWN CHARGERS!!!

The replay shows that Brown had touched the pylon with his hand before his feet came down out of bounds. What a play by the receiver to reach out that far after taking the hit from Joseph. How important will that be!!

Schaub fires a long strike to Johnson for a 22-yard pickup to reach their 42, a lot is needed for the Texans to get a field goal here.

Schaub finds Johnson again on a deep out route and he does well to make the catch in bounds at the San Diego 41. The Texans are going to attempt a field goal here, with Bullock lining the ball up.

A review states that Johnson's elbow came down out of bounds, which it did, before he got his knee down. So, no field goal attempt. Could we see a Hail Mary here?

No we don't as Schaub offloads the ball to Foster on a draw play and he gets tackled. That was an odd decision!

HALF-TIME: San Diego Chargers 21-7 Houston Texans

We have the makings of a potential upset here, as the Chargers lead at the break after outplaying the Texans in the first half. Philip Rivers has been excellent and his side's defense have come up big in key moments.

The opposite could be said of the Texans defense as last year's Defensive Player of the Year, JJ Watt, has been anonymous. They've failed to deliver in key moments such as the pass interference call on Bryce McCain, then the same player allowed Eddie Royal to score the home side's second touchdown. Jonathan Joseph failed to make a good enough hit on Vincent Brown to stop him reaching the pylons. So the vaunted Texans D hasn't been good enough. Matt Schaub has been ok since throwing an interception with his first pass, but he'll need to perform well to get his side back into the game.

This has all the makings of a classic second half, so stick with us this morning.

San Diego will begin on their 20 after Bullock hits the ball out of the endzone on the kickoff.

The Chargers come out with huge play as Rivers hits Floyd with a 47-yarder over the head of Joseph in a contested catch, which the San Diego man comes down with. What a play, that moves his side to the Houston 33.

Ronnie Brown does well to pick up the first down for the Chargers, as he peels off his man to the flat and Rivers finds him. He gets more yardage with a 15-yard run and takes his side to the Houston 13.

Vincent Brown comes up big this time for the Chargers on third down as he runs a slant route and collects Rivers's pass at his feet, after the Texans brought out an all out blitz with the home side on their five-yard line.

TOUCHDOWN CHARGERS!!

Rivers throws his fourth touchdown of the night, as he fires a one-yard TD to Royal for his second receiving TD of the game as he runs a slant route of a play-action pass. He beats Joseph and McCain before they can bring him down short of the line. The Texans brought the all-out blitz again but couldn't get to the quarterback. Novak kicks the extra point again and this is now a three-score game.

A decent kickoff return for Martin as he takes the ball to the Houston 30. Schaub and co have to answer here.

The Texans are rolling now as they pick up three first downs through the running of Foster and one huge completion from Schaub to Johnson on a third and 18 for 20 yards.

Another big completion on third down as Schaub finds Johnson again on a slant route as he beats the coverage of Derek Cox. The wide receiver has been on form today.

Schaub has the hot hand right now but this time his offensive line do well to give him time to find Hopkins on a curl route, and he catches and turns to make his reception a 12-yard pickup to take his side to the San Diego 7.

TOUCHDOWN TEXANS!!!

The Texans cut the Chargers lead to 14 as Schaub hits Garrett Graham over the middle on a slant route for a seven-yard strike, despite tight coverage from Bird. That was an excellent drive from Schaub and Bullock hits the extra point.

Fozzy Whittaker has an excellent kick return as he takes his side back up to their own 38 from Bullock's kick.

The Chargers go three and out as Gates drops the ball on first on a long strike from Rivers, and on third Royal could wiped out by Shiloh Keo with a monstrous hit and he couldn't hold onto the ball. Scifres's punt is collected by Martin, who takes the ball to the Houston 25.

A first down for the Texans and it's that man again Johnson, who runs a curl route and gets the ball from Schaub, takes a hit and goes down. What a night he is having!

Another nice pass from Schaub, this time he goes to his right and finds Hopkins on another curl route, he goes for 13 yards before he is pushed out of bounds.

SACK!!! Schaub gets taken down for massive loss on a sack after Dwight Freeney and Donald Butler came on the blitz and beat their respective blockers to bring the quarterback down for an 11-yard loss.

A huge play on third down by Schaub as he rolls to right and throws a deep ball for Hopkins, who comes up with a great catch an inch from the ground, to move the Texans 30 yards down the field to the San Diego 21.

END OF THIRD QUARTER: San Diego Chargers 28-14 Houston Texans

HUGE DROP!!! Foster drops the ball on an out to stop the Texans drive on the Chargers 19. What a moment in this game.

BIG PENALTY!! Thomas makes a huge blunder for the Chargers as he comes over the top of the centre, which is an illegal play in the NFL as of this season and hands the Texans a first down. Huge moment in the game!

TOUCHDOWN TEXANS!!

The Texans make Thomas pay for his error as Schaub finds Daniels in the endzone on a quick out route, as he beats Butler and walks into the endzone. Bullock kicks the extra point and it's a seven-point game now.

Bullock's kickoff goes straight out of the endzone and Rivers will begin on the 20.

Another three and out for the Chargers, the Texans defense has really upped the ante since the beginning on the third quarter. Rivers just hasn't been able to get going at all, since his strike to Royal.

Just what the doctor ordered from the Chargers defense as they hold the Texans to a three and out, forcing them to punt, as Shareece Wright tackled him short of the first.

FAKE PUNT!!! The Texans pick up the first down, as they fake the punt and hand it to Keo, who runs for the first down. What a play!! That could be crucial come the end of this game.

SACK!! The Chargers come up big on defense again as Jarrett Johnson brings Schaub down for a six-yard loss. Then the quarterback is penalised for delay of game taking his side back another five. He throws to Foster on third down forcing the punt.

TOUCHDOWN TEXANS!!!

Oh dear!! Rivers throws an interception looking for Woodhead but out of nowhere Brian Cushing jumps the route and catches the ball with an amazing diving effort. He gets to his feet and runs the 13 yards into the endzone. It's all square now!!

Rivers and co will come back out at the 20 again. The Chargers have blown a 21-point lead here, and this could be the second time they've done it in two seasons. They did something similar against the Denver Broncos last year.

HUGE DROP!!! Rivers throws a strike to Royal on third down, he gets his hands on the ball but can't hold on, which would have been enough for a first down. That was a big moment.

Back-to-back first downs for the Texans as they advance to the 50, as Tate runs 12 yards while in the next play Schaub finds Hopkins on a play-action for 11. The visitors are rolling now.

BIG PENALTY!! Brandon Brooks flinches at the wrong moment for the Texans on third and four, that infraction backs the visitors up to third and nine. Big moment here!!

The Chargers defense holds as Schaub can't find a receiver deep and he's forced to check down to Graham for a two-yard completion, which is not enough for the first down. Rivers will get another chance to move his side down the field after the punt.

A poor series from the Chargers as they go three and out yet again, as Rivers can't find his primary target on third down and is forced to throw it into the ground. Scifres punts again but this time it's a poor kick and Houston will start at their 37.

Two minute warning and the Texans are in striking distance at the San Diego 41 as Daniels and Johnson pick up first downs through the air collected 11 and 10-yard passes from Schaub respectively. The Chargers need yet another defensive stand here.

A huge pickup on third down as Schaub finds Johnson and the Texans move into field goal range. They can kill the clock and hit a field goal here. This could be an amazing comeback.

Houston have taken a timeout and Bullock will have a 41-yard attempt to win the game for Texans.

FIELD GOAL TEXANS!!!!

TEXANS WIN!!! Houston have won the game as Bullock's kick sails through the middle of the posts for the three points.

FULL-TIME: San Diego Chargers 28-31 Houston Texans

The Chargers blow a 21-point lead for the second time in two seasons. They won't believe they've lost this, but a costly penalty and interception from Philip Rivers have come back to haunt them. Mike McCoy won't be pleased with how his side capitulated after taking a 28-7 lead early in the third quarter.

The Chargers blow a 21-point lead for the second time in two seasons. They won't believe they've lost this, but a costly penalty and interception from Philip Rivers have come back to haunt them. Mike McCoy won't be pleased with how his side capitulated after taking a 28-7 lead early in the third quarter.

Thanks for joining our coverage this morning. Be sure to check back with us on Friday morning when the New England Patriots take on the New York Jets, until then, goodbye.

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Simon Sinclair
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Quarterback Philip Rivers #17 of the San Diego Chargers drops back to pass the football during the preseason NFL game against the Arizona Cardinals at the University of Phoenix Stadium on August 24, 2013
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