Live from the press box - 5:58 p.m.Ahman Green ran for a huge first down on third-and-one from the Houston 35 with 2:21 to play.
I'm heading down to the field. Be sure to check out HoustonTexans.com after the game for our comprehensive coverage, including Kubiak's live press conference from Reliant Stadium.
Live from the press box - 5:56 p.m.Defensive end Tim Bulman got his first career sack, taking down Orlovsky for a seven-yard loss on third-and-eight from the Houston 29. But Lions kicker Jason Hanson came on and made his second field goal from 50-plus yards in the game. The Lions now trail by only 7, 28-21, with a little more than four minutes to play.
Bulman, a longtime practice squad player, has been earning the praises of head coach Gary Kubiak in recent weeks. He had two knockdowns on Dolphins quarterback Chad Pennington last week. The Texans have two sacks today, and neither is by Mario Williams. Entering the game, the only Texan to record a sack this season other than Williams was Chaun Thompson.
Live from the press box - 5:50 p.m.The Lions called a timeout to prepare for a big third-and-14 with 7:23 to play, but they were penalized for a false start thanks in part to a rowdy Reliant Stadium crowd.
But Orlovsky, with plenty of time to throw, hit Mike Furrey for a 23-yard gain and first down. A few plays later, Houston got flagged for another 15-yard personal foul for a late hit out of bounds by safety Will Demps. It was the Texans' second 15-yard penalty on this drive.
Live from the press box - 5:46 p.m.The Texans were forced to punt again after another stand by the Detroit defense. Lions linebacker Alex Lewis ran into Matt Turk on the punt and a flag was thrown, but it was ruled to be running into the kicker, not roughing the kicker, which is only a five-yard penalty and wouldn't have been enough for a first down because the Texans were in a fourth-and-seven. Replays showed that Lewis delivered an inadvertent kick to Turk's chest, but the officials didn't think it was enough for a 15-yard penalty.
Andre' Davis and Antwaun Molden again teamed up to down the punt deep in Lions territory, this time at the three-yard line. A personal foul penalty on Fred Bennett moved the Lions close to the 20-yard line. Bennett jumped on the tackle pile late after safety Nick Ferguson had stopped Kevin Smith for no gain.
Live from the press box - 5:33 p.m.Backed up deep in his own territory last week, Lions quarterback Dan Orlovsky ran out of the back of it for a safety. This time, he threw a 96-yard touchdown pass to Calvin Johnson, who cornerback Petey Faggins couldn't keep up with on the play. Prior to the play, Johnson had been limited to one catch, a 58-yard grab at the end of the first half.
Orlovksy hit Johnson in the back of the end zone for a two-point conversion. With 11:56 in the game, the Texans lead 28-18.
The paid attendance for today's game was just announced at 70,081. It's the 65th consecutive sellout at Reliant Stadium.
Live from the press box - 5:27 p.m.More nifty play-calling by the Texans. On third-and-eight from the Houston 49-yard line, Schaub lined up in the shotgun and handed the ball off on a draw to Ahman Green for a 14-yard gain. The gaping hole Green ran through in the middle of the field was a testament how much the play surprised Detroit's defense. It was Houston's 27th first down, a new team record.
Andre' Davis made a nice play on special teams, tracking down Matt Turk's punt at the four-yard line. Rookie cornerback Antwaun Molden downed the ball, keeping it out of the end zone and pinning Detroit deep in their own territory as they look to come back from a 28-10 deficit.
Live from the press box - 5:14 p.m.After the Texans couldn't pound the ball into the end zone with two rushing attempts by Steve Slaton, they airmailed it in with a touchdown pass from Schaub to Daniels. It was Daniels' second touchdown of the day - he didn't have any this season coming into the game - and ties his career-high for a game.
The score was the result of a great play call by Kubiak and Shanahan. With Detroit selling out to stop the run, Schaub faked a handoff and tucked the ball behind his back before finding Daniels wide open in the left side of the end zone.
The Texans now have 26 first downs today, which ties a team record for first downs in a game. Detroit has nine first downs.
Live from the press box - 5:11 p.m.The ball was re-spotted about six inches behind where it initially was ruled down, but the Texans still had enough for a first down. First-and-goal for Houston.
Detroit won the challenge in terms of spotting the football but, oddly enough, were still charged with a timeout. I don't understand it, but I'm not complaining.
Live from the press box - 5:07 p.m.The Texans continue to be aggressive under Kubiak. On a fourth-and-one from the three-yard line, Kubiak opted to go for the first down to the delight of the crowd. Schaub took a quarterback sneak and fell forward. Officials brought out the chains and measured a first down, but Lions coach Rod Marinelli challenged the spot. The play is currently under review. If it stands, the Texans will have a first-and-goal from the two. Otherwise, it's Detroit's ball.
Injury update:Lions safety Dwight Smith is out with a foot injury.
Live from the press box - 4:59 p.m.Gary Kubiak and Kyle Shanahan pulled an innovative play out of their hat on third-and-two from the Detroit 40. Wide receiver Kevin Walter moved in motion and lined up in the backfield behind Schaub. Schaub pitched the ball to Walter, who ran behind a nice block from right tackle Eric Winston for a seven-yard gain and a first down.
Walter then got another first down in more conventional fashion, hauling in a 15-yard reception to the 12-yard line.
Live from the press box - 4:56 p.m.With an 18-yard reception on the first play of the Texans' current drive, Andre Johnson surpassed the 100-yard mark for the third consecutive game and fourth time this season. Johnson added a 10-yard catch a couple of plays later to bump his totals to 10 catches for 123 yards.
Johnson had a career-high 178 yards receiving last week against Miami and 131 yards the week before against the Colts.
Live from the press box - 4:49 p.m.And just like that, the Lions are back in it with a 26-yard touchdown run by rookie Kevin Smith. A play before his score, Smith broke loose for a 21-yard run down the right sideline. He has six carries for 60 yards in the game.
A flag was thrown after Smith's celebration - he jumped up toward the stands and took a bow before the displeased Houston crowd. But officials picked up the flag and declined to penalize Smith for unsportsmanlike conduct.
Let's see if the Texans can respond. With 11:53 to play in the third quarter, the score is 21-10.
Live from the press box - 4:44 p.m.The Lions and Texans traded three-and-outs to start the second half. Schaub was sacked for a 12-yard loss on third-and-10 from the Detroit 23. That pinned Matt Turk in the end zone for his first punt of the game, and his punt went only 36 yards to the Houston 47. So Detroit will start their second drive of the half in Houston territory as the Texans try to hold on to their 21-3 cushion.
Live from the press box - 4:26 p.m.Halftime by the numbers:
21-3: The score
274-137: Yardage totals for the Texans and Lions
79: Total yards Detroit had before a desperation 58-yard pass for a first down that ended the first half
0: Punts for the Texans
126.4: Matt Schaub's quarterback rating on 16-of-18 passing for 178 yards and a touchdown
95: Receiving yards by Andre Johnson, the second-most he's ever had in a first half
65: Receiving yards by Owen Daniels
72: Rushing yards by Steve Slaton, on nine carries
25: Rushing yards by Ahman Green, on five carries
2: Tackles by Dunta Robinson in his first game back from injury
1: Sack by Zac Diles, the first of his careerLive from the press box - 4:17 p.m.A fumble by Matt Schaub at the Detroit nine-yard line brought about a premature ending to what had been looking like another Texans scoring drive. The Lions are trying to mount a last-minute drive to improve upon their current 21-3 deficit before the half.
Live from the press box - 4:11 p.m.Back from the field. What a day it's been so far for Owen Daniels and Andre Johnson. On the Texans' current drive, Daniels has an 18-yard reception, and Johnson has 15-, 11- and 14-yard grabs. Both Johnson and Daniels are approaching the 100-yard mark, and we're only at the two-minute warning in the first half.
Live from the press box - 3:49 p.m.Touchdown, Steve Slaton. He muslced his way into the end zone on first-and-goal for a one-yard touchdown, his fifth score of the season. Houston now leads 21-0 at the 12:13 mark in the second quarter.
The tandem of Andre Johnson and Owen Daniels continues to rack up yards against Detroit's 32nd-ranked defense. Johnson has five catches for 55 yards and Daniels has four for 47 yards. To set up the score, Slaton took advantage of a nice block from fullback Vonta Leach for a nine-yard gain to the Detroit 1.
I'm heading down to the field to get some photos. Be back shortly.
Live from the press box - 3:43 p.m.At the end of the first quarter, the Texans lead 14-0. This is the third time in team history the Texans scored 14 points in the first quarter. The last time was in 2006 against the Colts.
The Texans outgained the Lions 149 yards to four - yes, four - in the quarter.
Live from the press box - 3:38 p.m.Cornerback Dunta Robinson made his first tackle in almost a year when he pushed receiver Mike Furrey out of bounds at the Detroit 28-yard line. Robinson was in as the Texans' third corner, lining up against Furrey in the slot. The play resulted in a first down, Detroit's first in the first quarter since Week 3.
Detroit quarterback Dan Orlovsky, who ran out of the back of the end zone for a safety against Minnesota last week, fumbled the snap two plays later, resulting in a loss of seven.Injury update:Lions safety Dwight Smith has a foot injury. His return is questionable.
Live from the press box - 3:33 p.m.Running back Ahman Green ran in for a one-yard touchdown on second-and-goal from the 1 to put the Texans up 14-0 with 5:44 to go in the first quarter. Another efficient drive led by Schaub, who's seven-of-nine for 57 yards. Schaub's 16-yard pass to Andre Johnson on the first play of the drive kick-started the march downfield. He also hit Andre' Davis for a 15-yard completion to move the Texans to the Detroit 21.
Green played the entire drive as Slaton took a breather. Green had three carries for 14 yards on the drive, including a nine-yard run that resulted in a first down.
Live from the press box - 3:21 p.m.The Texans' defense got Detroit's offense off the field in a hurry. Linebacker Zac Diles sacked quarterback Dan Orlovsky and second-and-10 for a nine-yard loss. It was the first career sack for Diles, who's excelled in the starting strongside linebacker role this season in his second year out of Kansas State. He became only the second Texan other than Mario Williams to record a sack this season.
On third-and-19, Dunta Robinson took the field for the first time and covered the right sideline in zone coverage. The Texans will start their second drive from their own 28-yard line with 9:09 left in the first.
Live from the press box - 3:16 p.m.Just like they drew it up in the meeting room, the Texans marched down the field 75 yards in seven plays for a touchdown to take a 7-0 lead four minutes into the game. Tight end Owen Daniels, who came into this Sunday leading all AFC tight ends in receiving yards and receptions, got his first score of the season on a two-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Matt Schaub.
Schaub was a perfect five-of-five for 35 yards on the drive. Running back Steve Slaton had a 37-yard run to put the Texans deep into Detroit territory.
Daniels' touchdown marked the first time the Texans have scored on their opening drive all season. The Lions have now been outscored in the first quarter 47-0 by opponents this year.
Live from the press box - 3:07 p.m.The Texans introduced cornerback Dunta Robinson last after bringing out the starting defensive unit. The crowd gave him a deafening roar of approval as he came jumping up and down out of the tunnel.
Houston won the toss and elected to receive. A nifty catch-and-run by tight end Owen Daniels has the Texans near midfield.
Live from the press box - 2:09 p.m.Look who's back. A year after a severe knee and hamstring injury, cornerback Dunta Robinson will take the field today. He'll probably be limited to 15-20 snaps, but Dunta's presence will be a big inspiration to the defense and the home crowd.
Before the season started, Robinson was expected to come back to action after the Texans' bye week (Oct. 26). The bye week was moved to Week 2 due to Hurricane Ike, but it turns out it didn't matter. Robinson's back in the very first week he could return from the Physically Unable to Perform list after a vigorous year of rehab.
I spoke to Dunta on the field 30-40 minutes ago, and he said he's excited to be back and ready to have some fun. Should be a treat to watch.
Live from the press box - 1:45 p.m.
It's a beautiful day to have the roof open at Reliant Stadium. Kickoff is less than 90 minutes away.
Here are the inactives for today's game.
Texans
26 CB Eugene Wilson
27 RB Chris Taylor
34 S Dominique Barber
52 LB Xavier Adibi
64 G Kasey Studdard
78 T Rashad Butler
87 TE Mark Bruener
94 DE N.D. Kalu
97 DT Frank Okam
Changes to the starting lineup:DeMarcus Faggins will start at left cornerback for Fred Bennett.
Lions
12 QB Drew Henson (third QB)
16 WR John Standeford
21 CB Travis Fisher
63 G Manny Ramirez
64 G Edwin Mulitalo
91 DT Chuck Darby
93 DE Corey Smith
98 DT Landon Cohen
Changes to the starting lineup:Shaun Cody will start at nose tackle for Chuck Darby. Brian Kelly will start at left cornerback for Travis Fisher. Damion Cook will start at left guard for Edwin Mulitalo. George Foster will start at right tackle for Gosder Cherilus.
