Texans… 34 Panthers… 21

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- On the opposite sideline, David Carr stood, barely moving. His former team looked nothing like it did during his five-year tenure.

With Matt Schaub throwing for 227 yards and two touchdowns and backed up by an effective running game, the Houston Texans forced three turnovers and recovered from a sluggish start for a 34-21 win Sunday over the Carolina Panthers to go 2-0 for the first time.

Houston went 24-56 in its first five years with Carr, who was released in the off-season when the Texans traded for Schaub.

Carr, now the Panthers’ backup, could only watch as Andre Johnson caught seven passes for 120 yards and two scores, Ahman Green rushed for 71 yards and a touchdown and the Texans rallied. They handed the Panthers (1-1) their fourth consecutive loss in their home opener.

Quoteworthy: “Before we would go down by 14 points early, the games were over. Now we go down by 14 points, everyone comes on the sideline and says, ‘Hey, we’re fine.’ ” -- Andre Johnson, Texans receiver