Schaub returns, helps Texans top Panthers

CHARLOTTE, N.C. - Matt Schaub declared the rust gone after his first action in nine months.

Schaub led one scoring drive but also had an interception in his first game since breaking his right foot last season, and the Houston Texans beat the Carolina Panthers 26-13 on Saturday night in the preseason opener for both teams.

Schaub completed three passes for 52 yards on Houston's opening drive, including a 22-yard strike on third down to Owen Daniels to set up a field goal.

Houston's next two possessions ended in turnovers when Arian Foster fumbled and Schaub's pass was intercepted by linebacker Jason Phillips on a bad throw over the middle.

"Those first couple of days lining up behind center for the first time since mid-November, going against a defense, there was a little bit of rust," Schaub said. "That's worn off now, so we're just back in a groove."

Playing without his top weapon, Andre Johnson, Schaub finished 3 of 6 for 52 yards for Houston. Johnson said he could have played, but the coaches decided to hold him out.

Cam Newton's night also was short and not all that productive for Carolina.

Carolina's first-team offense, which finished fifth in the NFL in scoring last year, looked out of sync from the start and struggled with blitz pickups.

The Panthers didn't pick up a first down until their third possession, when Newton showed off his incredible scrambling ability by racing up the middle for a 15-yard gain on third down. Unlike last year, when Newton would challenge would-be tacklers, he elected to slide after picking up the first down - and looked a little awkward doing so.

That drive ended with Olindo Mare's 33-yard field goal. Newton and the rest of the Carolina starters were taken out with 4:14 left in the first quarter.

Newton finished 2 of 6 for 17 yards.

■ Seahawks 27, Titans 17 - At Seattle, Tennessee quarterback Matt Hasselbeck had a rocky return to the Pacific Northwest, throwing two interceptions in his limited appearance, while Seattle rookie QB Russell Wilson dazzled with touchdowns running and throwing in the second half for the Seahawks.

Hasselbeck, Seattle's anchor at quarterback for almost a decade, saw the first play of the game - a pass intended for Nate Washington - get deflected into the arms of Seahawks cornerback Brandon Browner and returned 23 yards for a touchdown. Seattle went ahead 17-3 on the first drive of the second half when Wilson, in a three-way competition for the Seahawks' QB job, threw a 39-yard scoring pass to Braylon Edwards. Wilson added a 32-yard bootleg touchdown run with 1:51 left to cap an impressive debut.

Matt Flynn got the start at quarterback for Seattle, while incumbent Tarvaris Jackson was left to watch.