DENVER — Matt Schaub bide his time as everyone obsessed over Peyton Manning, patiently waiting for his moment. Getting overshadowed by Manning is nothing new for the Houston Texans' quarterback.

In many ways, it's been the story of Schaub's career.

But this isn't just a new Peyton Manning in 2012. It's a new Matt Schaub too.

And after an offseason in which his own coach teased him about Manning becoming a Texan, Schaub wasn't going to let his opportunity go.

So on a sun-splashed day at the awkwardly named Sports Authority Field at Mile High, in Manning's own house no less, Schaub put the football world on notice.

He did it with a first half that deserves to be preserved in some sort of Texans time capsule — with a perfect 60-yard touchdown pass, a 97-yard drive and a in-stride 52-yard touchdown strike. That spree turned a 5-0 deficit into a 21-5 Houston lead on the way to a 31-25 hold-on win that stunned another sold-out Broncos crowd and slammed home some new NFL truths.

Yes, these Texans are for real. Yes, Houston finally has a team that deserves to be Super feared. And yes, Matt Schaub is already more elite than you think.

The only quarterback the Texans front office ever wanted finished the first half 10 of 17 for 199 yards, three touchdowns and a gaudy 115.0 quarterback rating despite throwing a late pick. Schaub add a fourth touchdown pass in the third quarter after two illegal Bronco hits knocked him from the game for a play.

Schaub did it by standing tall in the pocket under peril. On both his 60-yard touchdown heave to Andre Johnson — one in which the ball traveled at least that far through the air — and his 52-yarder to Kevin Walter, Schaub threw with Broncos rushers in his face.

He still delivered — almost on target as a laser pointer. Neither Johnson or Walter had to adjust much to Schaub's throws. The Texans went into the locker room with a 21-11 lead, one that had the team's Ring of Fame inductee Rod Smith almost pleading with the crowd to help his former team.

"These guys need us today," Smith told the crowd of the Denver players. "They need us more than ever today."

The Broncos simply had no answer for the Texans' offense — no answer for No. 8's calm under pressure. An innovative offense gameplan that saw rookie wideout Keshawn Martin used in a reverse (for a 21-yard gain) and left Schaub's targets with favorable matchups time and time again deserves credit too.

Texans coach Gary Kubiak likes to talk about these 2012 Texans being "explosive." Denver certainly got a close-up view of that.

Even when Schaub did miss a throw — like on an overthrow of tight end Owen Daniels late in the first half — the intended receiver was often wide open.

Wade Phillips' Bulls on Parade defense made it all work by keeping Manning out of the end zone for the entire first half. With J.J. Watt (two and a half sacks) keeping his vow to add No. 18 to his sack list and Brian Cushing tackling everything in sight, Manning never looked dangerous.

The defense even overcome a bad decision Schaub interception near the end of the first half with little sweat.

The Explosion

The Texans didn't exactly get off to a championship start. A punt pinned returner Trindon Holliday at Houston's own 6-yard line. Schaub went back to pass on the Texans' first offensive play of the game — and promptly got sacked by Elvis Dumervil in the end zone for a safety.

Denver 2, Texans 0.

It became 5-0 after a Broncos drive that stalled in Houston territory after a promising start. Manning would move the ball, but the Texans defense didn't let him get close to a touchdown.

Meanwhile, Schaub found Johnson and Foster kept bursting into open field. Houston's second touchdown drive was even more impressive than the quick strike to Johnson.

The Texans started at their own 3-yard line and drove 97 yards, converting on four third downs to take a 14-5 lead. That's the type of drive that defines a season. Martin, the rookie receiver from Michigan State, beat veteran cornerback Tracy Porter to catch a crucial pass on third-and-9. Backup tight end Garrett Graham got free over the middle for a 27-yard reception.

And on third-and-goal from the three, the Texans called a beauty of a play, getting Foster isolated in the right flat for an easy screen-pass touchdown.