Texans Rally From 21 Down to Stun Chargers 31-28 Matt Schaub could feel the Texans' comeback coming on in the third quarter. Andre Johnson had absolutely no doubt Houston would rally from three touchdowns down to win its season opener. Many San Diego Chargers fans must have felt exactly the same way. A team that blew five halftime leads last season did it again Monday night in Houston's 31-28 win over San Diego. While the Texans got an early character-building test in a season with Super Bowl aspirations, the Chargers were reminded they can't ever let up if they hope to shake their underachieving reputations. "We knew we could do it," said Houston linebacker Brian Cushing, who returned an interception for his first career touchdown to tie it with 9:30 to play. We felt the momentum. We had no business winning the game ... (but) we felt like we could do it the whole time. We never got down on ourselves. We were just able to make that comeback. Randy Bullock kicked a 41-yard field goal as time expired after Schaub engineered a late drive for the Texans. Their cool under pressure erased a brilliant start for the Chargers under new coach Mike McCoy, the offensive guru hired to revitalize a stagnating franchise. Five reasons why Houston is rolling and San Diego is reeling after just one week of play: QUICK START STALLS: The Chargers led 7-0 just 15 seconds into McCoy's first game. Schaub's first pass was tipped and intercepted by Cam Thomas, and Philip Rivers threw a 14-yard TD pass to Ryan Mathews on San Diego's first snap for the fastest offensive touchdown in team history. San Diego gained momentum from that lucky burst, going up 21-7 at halftime and taking a 28-7 lead with an 80-yard drive right after the break. Rivers already had his first four-TD passing game since November 2011. And then the Chargers grinded to an utter halt, managing just 10 more yards all night. San Diego didn't suddenly forget how to play, but Houston's cranked-up defense took charge while the Chargers curiously stayed away from the run. "You lose this way, and it stings a little more," Rivers said. It's disappointing we didn't finish the game, because we had control. You've got to play all four quarters. SECOND-HALF SURGE: The Texans' strong contingent of red-jerseyed fans behind their bench celebrated wildly, but the players' excitement was tinged with the knowledge they shouldn't have waited so long to get going. Houston didn't look sharp on either side of the ball in the first half despite outgaining the Chargers 220-173. The Texans repeatedly failed to finish drives, took four penalties for 46 yards, and allowed San Diego to convert on five of its eight third downs. The Texans recovered in plenty of time, but other opponents might not be so forgiving. "I expected us to be in a dogfight," Houston coach Gary Kubiak said. I'm disappointed with the way we played early, but we did not give up. ... We were mature enough to hang in there and get the win, so we have to be mature enough to know that we didn't play very well. PRIMO CUSH: Cushing picked a fine time to score the first touchdown of his career. The Houston linebacker dived to intercept Rivers' pass, bounced back up and rumbled 18 yards to the end zone for the tying touchdown with 9:30 to play. Cushing capped his five-tackle game with a brilliant individual play at the perfect moment.