Denver

Under Armour is missing a golden opportunity with these 76ers. The sporting apparel company began creeping into our collective consciousness - and also saw its bottom line become significantly more robust - when it began casting those commercials with scowling football players working into a lather, proclaiming: "We must protect this house. " The 76ers talk in terms of their defense as being a piece of valued real estate, their prize investment. The painted area is the "house," the most precious area in their minds.

Texans 31, Broncos 25 DENVER - Houston's Matt Schaub outplayed Peyton Manning, throwing four TD passes against Denver. Schaub finished 17 for 30 for 290 yards to help Houston move to 3-0 for the first time in club history. The Texans improved to 3-16 lifetime against Manning and beat him for the first time in a road game. Houston 7 14 10 0 – 31 Denver 5 6 0 14 – 25 First quarter Den–Dumervil safety, 13:20. Den–FG Prater 32, 8:41. Hou–Johnson 60 pass from Schaub (S.Graham kick)

Geno Smith completed 60 of 64 throws Thursday on pro day at West Virginia's indoor practice facility in Morgantown. Smith was watched by 29 NFL teams. Not in attendance were the Dallas Cowboys, Arizona Cardinals, and Seattle Seahawks. Considered to be one of the top quarterbacks in April's NFL draft, Smith threw for 4,205 yards and led the nation with 42 touchdown passes in 2012. He had a private workout Monday with the Eagles. Falcons. Atlanta found its replacement for running back Michael Turner, who was released March 1, by agreeing to terms with free agent Steven Jackson on a three-year, $12 million deal.

With the unmitigated disaster of Four Rooms and the critical shelling that greeted From Dusk to Dawn, the hitherto white-hot Quentin Tarantino has been taking his lumps. Tarantino should thank the makers of Things to Do in Denver When You're Dead, for it is a black crime comedy that makes us keenly feel his absence. The movie and pop-culture influences in Tarantino's Reservoir Dogs and Pulp Fiction always make for lively arguments. Perhaps one day his influence on other young directors will be the subject of film-school graduate studies; Things to Do in Denver should furnish ample material.

The Montgomery County commissioners have released details of their Coopers & Lybrand study comparing the economic and demographic features of the four regions, including Philadelphia, where Lockheed Martin is considering scaling down or closing its AstroSpace divisions. The commissioners are hoping that the 42-page study trumpeting the area's assets will prevent the defense industry firm - the county's second largest employer - from shuttering its King of Prussia facility, thus sparing about 5,000 jobs.

To Antonio McDyess, the game meant nothing. He performed as if it meant everything. McDyess had 25 points, 10 rebounds, six blocks and four steals as the Nuggets, playing for the first time since the school shooting in suburban Denver, beat Golden State, 96-84, last night. The Nuggets postponed Tuesday's game against Portland because of the tragedy that resulted in 15 deaths. Denver players wore black patches on their jerseys to honor the victims. "I thought about it all week," McDyess said.

Green Bay Packers coach Mike Holmgren yesterday said he lost track of downs just before Denver scored the winning touchdown late in Sunday's Super Bowl. With 1:47 left in the game and the score tied, 24-24, the Broncos had a second-and-goal situation from the Green Bay 1 when Holmgren ordered his defense to let the Broncos score. At the time, the Packers had two timeouts remaining. Holmgren told the New York Daily News that he ordered the defense to yield because he believed it was first down, and was afraid Denver would be able to kill most of the clock if it kicked a field goal on fourth down.

IF YOU GO GREAT SAND DUNES NATIONAL PARK AND PRESERVE: Located near Mosca, Colo., about 240 miles southwest of Denver and 185 miles north of Santa Fe, N.M. The park is open daily year-round, although the visitors center closes at night and on holidays. Admission is $3 for ages 16 and older. Under 16 free. Info, www.nps.gov/ grsa.

ANOTHER high-paid athlete complaining about money. Hey, Sheldon, zip it and play. You signed the contract, and get a lot of money to play a sport. In case you didn't notice, people are losing jobs and houses at an alarming rate. Think they want to hear you whining about a couple of million more? Go complain somewhere else. Maybe they can trade you to Denver and get Brian Dawkins back. Frank Harte, Philadelphia