Video: Texans QB Matt Schaub loses chunk of ear on vicious hit
By EDDIE PELLS AP National Writer September 24, 2012 11:20AM
Houston Texans quarterback Matt Schaub (8) throws for a touchdown against the Denver Broncos in the second quarter of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 23, 2012, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)
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Updated: September 25, 2012 10:16AM
DENVER — Houston quarterback Matt Schaub, who lost a small chunk of his ear after a brutal hit, still outplayed Peyton Manning, throwing for four touchdowns against a confused Broncos defense to stake the Texans to a big lead en route to a 31-25 victory.
Schaub’s final touchdown was a 14-yard pass to tight end Owen Daniels, who was locked in one-on-one coverage against linebacker Von Miller. It gave the Texans a 31-11 lead with 1:33 left in the third quarter — placing the Houston defense in the prevent and Manning into desperation mode.
That touchdown pass came about 10 minutes after Schaub was leveled by Joe Mays, which resulted in Denver’s second consecutive roughing-the-passer penalty and, eventually, a Texans field goal for a 24-11 lead. Schaub came out for a play and had a big, bloody mark on his left ear.
“I felt fine,” Schaub said. “I just lost a piece of my ear. I was bleeding and my helmet came off. So, I had to come out for a play, but I was fine.”
Houston improved to 3-0 for the first time in the franchise’s 11 seasons. The Texans won for only the third time in 19 tries against Manning — and the first time ever in a road game.
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