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Brown's field goal gives Texans dramatic win

Dec 7, 2008 - 11:59 PM GREEN BAY, Wisconsin (Ticker) -- Matt Schaub sizzled on a frigid day at Lambeau Field and likely iced the Green Bay Packers' playoff hopes.

Schaub passed for a career-high 414 yards and two touchdowns Sunday, lifting the Houston Texans to a 24-21 victory over the Green Bay Packers.

He was at his best in the final two minutes, driving the Texans (6-7) from their 3-yard line to set up Kris Brown's 40-yard field goal as time expired.

"This place is hallowed ground," Brown said. "The greatest players in this game played here at Lambeau Field. To be able to go out there and be able to have a kick like that, it's hard to put into words."

Schaub returned after missing four games with a knee injury, but did not miss a beat, becoming the latest quarterback to exploit the Packers' porous secondary. He completed 28-of-42 passes on a day when the temperature hovered in the low teens.

"Sure, it was cold, but luckily there wasn't a wind blowing," Schaub said. "The offensive line did a great job owning the line of scrimmage."

Houston, which overcame four turnovers, started its winning drive after a punt was downed at its 3-yard line with 1:49 remaining.

It appeared the Packers would get back the ball for a chance at a game-winning field goal, but the Texans didn't play conservatively.

Schaub hit Vonta Leach for 22 yards, David Anderson for 17 yards and tight end Owen Daniels for 27 yards to get Houston into field goal range.

"You got to deal (with the cold)," Brown added. "I think when you accept it's cold, it's easier to deal with."

Green Bay (5-8) suffered its third straight loss and fell three games behind Minnesota in the NFC North. The Packers have allowed 110 points during the slide, getting burned the two previous weeks by New Orleans' Drew Brees and Carolina's Jake Delhomme.

"I'm frustrated," said Green Bay coach Mike McCarthy, whose team surrendered 549 total yards.

"It's a little bit of a picture of how our season has gone. We had a number of opportunities and we didn't cash in on them. We had some breakdowns and unfortunately that's why we're sitting here again with a loss."

Houston posted its third straight win, keeping alive its hopes of finishing at .500 for the second straight season.

"This the No. 1 win I have been a part of - to come here to Lambeau and win," Texans cornerback Dunta Robinson said. "We want to continue to build off what he have."

The Texans grabbed a 21-14 lead on Schaub's 11-yard TD pass to Andre Johnson with 10:05 remaining in the contest.

But Jacoby Jones' fumbled punt at the Packers' 49 allowed Green Bay to tie the contest on Aaron Rodgers' 9-yard TD strike to Jordy Nelson with 5:56 left. All 21 of the Packers' points came on turnovers.

Houston rookie Steve Slaton rushed for 120 yards on 20 carries to go over 1,000 yards for the season.