From the press box - 3:05 p.m.And that's your ballgame. The Texans are back in the win column with a 34-7 victory that moves their record to 6-7 on the season. They had lost four consecutive games since beating the Buffalo Bills on Nov. 1.
An outstanding performance by the Texans' defense today. They allowed seven points, their second-best mark this season, and just 282 total yards. Schaub finished with 365 passing yards, and Johnson had 193 receiving on 11 catches.
Tune into **Texans TV** for live postgame press conferences featuring Kubiak, Schaub, Johnson and more. I'm heading downstairs now to go to the press conferences.
From the press box - 2:58 p.m.Tough sight on the field. Seahawks rookie linebacker Aaron Curry, the fourth overall pick in the 2009 draft, just got carted off the field with 1:47 left in the game. Curry had to be lifted by two members of the Seahawks' staff on to the bed of the cart. It appeared that Seahawks linebacker David Hawthorne inadvertently hit Curry on the play.
I was among the Houston media who spoke with Curry over the phone this week in a **conference call**. He seemed very humble and personable, and by all accounts is in the midst of a fine rookie season. Best wishes to the young, talented linebacker.
From the press box - 2:53 p.m.At the two-minute warning, the Texans have the ball at their own 35-yard line. It'll be second-and-nine when play resumes.
Two plays ago, Ryans stuffed Forsett after a one-yard gain on fourth down and two. It was the fourth time the Texans have forced a turnover on downs in the second half.
Like the rest of the Texans' defense, Ryans is having an outstanding day. He has a game-high 12 tackles, several of which have seemingly been either behind the line of scrimmage or right at it.
From the press box - 2:45 p.m.Another turnover on downs for the Seahawks gave the Texans the ball with a 34-7 lead and less than six minutes to play.
The Texans' defense has forced a turnover on downs on three consecutive series. Seattle was undone by an offensive pass interference penalty and two false starts after they got into the red zone.
The Texans punted back to the Seahawks with 4:42 showing on the game clock. Schaub threw two incompletions, both intended for Johnson, to lead to the punt. It's first-and-10 from the Seattle 41 for the Seahawks.
From the press box - 2:37 p.m.The Texans were unable to pick up a first down on three consecutive carries, leading to a punt. The Seahawks have the ball at their own 38-yard line with 8:03 remaining and the score still at 34-7.
Be sure to visit HoustonTexans.com after the game to watch live streaming press conferences from Reliant Stadium featuring Texans coach Gary Kubiak, quarterback Matt Schaub, wide receiver Andre Johnson and more - the press conferences will air live on Texans TV.
From the press box - 2:34 p.m.With 9:52 left in the game, the Texans' defense forced a turnover on downs for the second consecutive series. Rookie cornerback Brice McCain, who stands 5-9, jumped up and batted down a lob pass intended for 6-2 T.J. Houshmandzadeh on fourth-and-goal from the eight.
Quin made another outstanding open-field tackle on the previous play to set up the fourth down attempt.
The Seahawks' drive started at the Houston 26-yard line after Moats fumbled the ball at the Seattle 38 and it was returned by linebacker David Hawthorne for 36 yards.
In 11 series for the Seahawks' offense, the Texans' defense has now forced five three-and-outs, one turnover and two turnovers on downs.
From the press box - 2:20 p.m.The third quarter ended with the Texans up 34-7. The last play of the quarter was an unsuccessful fourth-down attempt by the Seahawks. Seattle needed seven yards for a first down, and rookie cornerback Glover Quin tackled Houshmandzadeh over the middle after a four-yard gain.
Foster was shaken up on the kickoff after Pollard's touchdown, but he's back in the game now. He just ran for 11 yards on the first play of the fourth quarter.
From the press box - 2:10 p.m.It's 34-7 Texans after a crazy series of plays. Safety Bernard Pollard picked off a pass intended for fullback Justin Griffith and ran it back 70 yards for a touchdown. Two plays earlier, Schaub was intercepted by Marcus Trufant. Schaub's pick came came on the Texans' first play after Cushing sacked Hasselbeck for a 13-yard loss to force a punt.
It was the first touchdown of Pollard's career and the first defensive touchdown for the Texans since Week 1 against the Jets.
Today's paid attendance was just announced at 70,380.
From the press box - 2:01 p.m.Kris Brown field goal good from 31 yards out. It's 27-7, Texans, with 5:50 left in the third quarter. Brown's kick capped an eight-play, 36-yard scoring drive that came after Jones' punt return gave the Texans good field position. Brown is now 2-of-4 on field goals today.
Moats had a 16-yard run to the right side on the first play of the drive. He has eight carries for 34 yards (4.2 average).
From the press box - 1:54 p.m.The Texans had a three-and-out on their first drive of the second half. It was their shortest possession since the one-play, 64-yard touchdown drive to start the game. A two-yard reception by fullback Vonta Leach was sandwiched by two Schaub incompletions.
Dominique Barber made an excellent special teams tackle, dropping Burleson for a five-yard loss after a 49-yard punt by Matt Turk. That pinned the Seahawks at their own 11.
Hasselbeck came back into the game, but it didn't help the Seahawks much. Ryans stuffed Jones for a two-yard loss on second down. On the next play, Williams sacked Hasselbeck for a 10-yard loss on third-and-four from the 17.
That was Williams' eight sack of the season and second of the game. It's the first time this season that he has had more than one sack in a game.
A 20-yard punt return by Jacoby Jones gave the Texans a first down at the Seattle 49-yard line with about 10 minutes left in the third quarter.
From the press box - 1:46 p.m.Hasselbeck left the game with an apparent injury after the first play of the second half. He was hit by Ryans as he threw and fell on his right shoulder. Hasselbeck injured the shoulder earlier this season and re-aggravated it last week against the 49ers. His return is questionable.
A couple of snaps later, backup Seneca Wallace fumbled the snap - the Seahawks' third botched snap of the game. The Seahawks again recovered, but it resulted in a five-yard loss. On third-and-13 from the Seattle 37, Wallace threw up a desperation pass as he was about to be sacked by Connor Barwin. The result was an 18-yard intentional grounding penalty and a loss of downs, and Barwin was credited with a sack. He now has 3.5 this season.
From the press box - 1:38 p.m.The Seahawks will receive to start the third quarter. Here's a look at Halftime by the Numbers:
24-7: The score, in favor of the Texans
364-109: Total yards for both teams, in favor of the Texans
20:20-9:40: Time of possession, in favor of the Texans
19-5: Total first downs, in favor of the Texans
336: Passing yards for Matt Schaub
2: Players in the NFL who have thrown for more passing yards in a first half since 1991
4: Incompletions for Schaub, on 28 attempts
184: Receiving yards for Andre Johnson, on 10 catches
24: Yards Johnson needs int he second half to set a new single-game career high
49: Total yards (46 receiving 3 rushing) in the first half for rookie running back Arian Foster
0: Career offensive snaps for Foster before today's game
From the press box - 1:31 p.m.A 48-yard field goal try by Kris Brown went wide right as time expired in the first half. That'll keep the score at 24-7 when the third quarter gets underway.
With just one timeout at the Texans' disposal, Schaub moved the Texans 50 yards in six plays in 1:14 to set up the field goal attempt. Foster had two catches for 35 yards on the drive.
Schaub finished the first half 24-of-28 for 336 yards and two touchdowns. Johnson had 10 catches for 184 yards and two scores in the first two quarters.
From the press box - 1:20 p.m.The Seahawks trimmed the Texans' lead to 24-7 with 1:14 showing on the first-half clock. Hasselbeck to tight end John Carlson for a four-yard touchdown pass.
The Seahawks moved 84 yards in six plays for the score. They had gained just 18 yards in 14 plays before that.
Seattle took over with 3:29 left in the first half and moved the ball downfield in a hurry. Hasselbeck threw for 22 yards to Nate Burleson on the drive's first play. Then came a 24-yard run by Julius Jones. Next was Hasselbeck to T.J. Houshmandzadeh for 31 yards, which gave the Seahawks first-and-goal at the seven at the two-minute warning.
Carlson's touchdown came on third-and-goal from the four. He caught the ball right at the goal line with cornerback Brice McCain in coverage. The play was reviewed, but the ruling on the field stood.
From the press box - 1:08 p.m.Kris Brown's 26-yard field goal attempt was blocked with 3:29 left in the first half. The Texans still lead 24-0.
Some numbers from the realm of the ridiculous: Schaub is 20-of-23 for 281 yards and two touchdowns. Johnson has nine catches for 169 yards and two touchdowns, the highest output (catches and yards) in a half in his career.
And we've still got 33:29 left to play.
From the press box - 12:56 p.m.The Texans' defense got the ball back in short order once again, giving up seven yards on a five-play drive. The Seahawks did pick up their first first down of the game with 11:42 left in the first half via a penalty. Hasselbeck threw an incomplete pass on third-and-three from the Seattle 27, but Ryans was flagged for a 15-yard penalty on a late hit.
Two plays later, Hasselbeck fumbled a snap from center Chris Spencer for the second time today. Hasselbeck recovered, but it pushed the Seahawks back five yards. Defensive end Mario Williams sacked Hasselbeck on the following play to force a punt. It was Williams' seventh sack of the season and the third consecutive game in which he's gotten to the QB.
From the press box - 12:49 p.m.The rout is on. The Texans' lead is now 24- after a 17-yard touchdown pass from Schaub to Johnson, their second scoring connection of the game.
Johnson has six catches for 117 yards with 12:52 still left to play in the first half. He hit the century mark on his fifth catch of the game with 13 minutes left, then scored on the very next play. This is Johnson's 30th career 100-yard game.
Foster already has three carries for three yards and one catch for 11 yards. Moats has four carries for 11 yards and a touchdown. Chris Brown has one carry for three yards.
From the press box - 12:43 p.m.After Moats' touchdown, the Texans forced their third three-and-out in three Seahawks possessions. The Seahawks didn't have a first down in the first quarter, when the Texans outgained them 173-14.
Linebacker Kevin Bentley, a special teams captain, got his hand on Ryan's third punt of the game. His deflection resulted in an 18-yard punt that gave the Texans good field position. They've already driven past midfield with the second quarter now underway.
From the press box - 12:37 p.m.Touchdown, Ryan Moats, and the Texans lead 17-0 with 2:50 left to play in the first quarter. This is the most points the Texans have scored in the first quarter in team history.
Moats ran in off the left end from four yards out to cap a nine-play, 56-yard scoring drive. The run came on third-and-two.
Schaub is 10-of-11 (91 percent) for 142 yards and a touchdown; his passer rating is 149.1. He set the team's single-season passing yardage record on the Texans' second drive and moved past David Carr for the Texans' single-season completions record on the third.
Johnson has four catches for 77 yards. He went down with an apparent injury after a five-yard catch on the scoring drive, but he returned to the field three plays later.
Foster got his first-career carry on the drive, with 6:48 left in the first quarter. He gained four yards. Foster was stuffed for a loss of one yard on the next play.
From the press box - 12:26 p.m.Another three-and-out forced by the Texans' defense. Ryans broke up a pass over the middle intended for Deion Branch on third-and-five to lead to the punt.
At the end of the punt return, Seahawks rookie linebacker Aaron Curry drew a 15-yard penalty for a late hit to give the Texans the ball at their own 44-yard line, up 10-0 with 7:46 left in the first quarter.
Jones gained only four yards on the punt return, but Seahawks punter Jon Ryan is letting off some low line drives that have me thinking a big return could be in the offing later.
On the Texans' previous drive, Schaub set a new franchise single-season record for passing yards in a season. He passed David Carr's old mark of 3,531 yards, set in 2004.
From the press box - 12:18 p.m.Six minutes in, and the Texans lead 10-0. Their second drive of the game stalled at the Seahawks' 11-yard line when Schaub threw an incomplete pass on third-and-two. Kris Brown made a 29-yard field goal to add to the Texans' lead.
Johnson got the ball three times on the nine-play, 41-yard scoring drive. Two of his touches (a five-yard catch and a three-yard run on a reverse) were good for first downs. Johnson already has 75 total yards, including 72 receiving on three catches.
From the press box - 12:12 p.m.After the Texans' one-play scoring drive, which was the first time they've ever scored on the opening play of a game, the defense forced a three-and-out.
Rookie linebacker Brian Cushing leveled Matt Hasselbeck on first down to force an incomplete pass. The Seahawks followed that up with a false start. On second-and-15 from the Seattle 15, Hasselbeck fumbled the snap and was tackled by DeMeco Ryans for a two-yard loss.
The Texans forced a punt after holding Justin Forsett to a seven-yard run on third down. Jacoby Jones zigged and zagged his way 22 yards to the Texans' 48-yard line, where the Texans started their second possession of the game.
From the press box - 12:04 p.m.That didn't take long. The Texans are up 7-0 after one play, a 64-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Matt Schaub to Andre Johnson down the right sideline. The 16-second scoring drive was the Texans' quickest of the Texans' season. (Correction, 12:19 p.m.:The Texans actually had a 13-second scoring drive at Tennesssee in Week 2).
Johnson ran right by cornerback Marcus Trufant, and Schaub hit him perfectly in stride for the score.
From the press box - 12:02 p.m.The Texans won the coin toss and elected to receive to start the game. Houston is 3-3 when winning the coin toss this season.
The Texans' game captain today is defensive end Antonio Smith.
From the press box - 11:59 a.m.With kickoff minutes away, here are some notes on the **inactives and lineup changes**. Some have previously been discussed in this blog or other parts of HT.com, others have not:
Running back Arian Foster is active for the third time this season and will take his first snaps on offense. Texans coach Gary Kubiak said Friday that he hopes to have Foster get five touches and that Foster will give Kubiak a reason to give him 10 touches. Chris Henry, called up from the practice squad last week to take Steve Slaton's roster spot, is inactive.
Antoine Caldwell will start at right guard for Chris White. Nice weekend for Caldwell, a third-round draft pick out of Alabama. He sees his former teammate, Mark Ingram, win the Heisman Trophy on Saturday night, then gets his first-career start today.
Cornerback Glover Quin is active and will start. Quin missed last week's game with a concussion, but he tested out fine during the week and will make the ninth start of his rookie season.
Free safety Brian Russell is active for the first time since joining the Texans a couple of weeks ago when Eugene Wilson went on IR. Russell spent the 2007-08 seasons with the Seahawks, starting all 32 regular season games.
From the press box - 11:51 a.m.Check out some of the action from the field in our **pregame photo slideshow**, with excellent photography skills on display from Texans TV's Drew Dougherty.
Pregame introductions are coming up. The Texans will introduce their defensive players. The Seahawks will come out of the tunnel as a team.
From the press box - 11:48 a.m.In the Christmas spirit, the Texans Cheerleaders performed in Santa Claus outfits (minus the hats and beards) at midfield for their pregame routine, dancing to "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree" performed by the **Champion Sisters**, who will sing the national anthem today.
Here's the press box pregame food menu, along with a rudimentary photo taken from my phone. The breakfast tacos hit the spot.
Baked rosemary chicken
Marinated skirt beef steak
Oven roasted potatoes
Breakfast taco bar (steak, eggs and salsa)
Seasonal vegetables & squash
House salad
Assorted cakes & pies
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From the press box - 11:39 a.m.
It looks more like Seattle than Houston outside today with foggy skies and 50-degree weather. But it's pristine inside Reliant Stadium with the roof closed for today's matchup between the Texans and Seahawks, a pair of 5-7 teams looking to keep their playoff hopes alive.
Per my normal home game routine, I'll be here blogging throughout the afternoon. Here are five things to watch for in today's game, including quarterback Matt Schaub's shoulder and the matchup of Brian Cushing vs. Aaron Curry, the top two linebackers selected in the 2009 draft.
And in case you missed it, here are today's **inactives and starting lineup changes**.
