NFL Reporter's Face Gets Open -- Fails to Make the Catch

The biggest hit in last night's Packers vs. Texans game happened before kickoff ... when an NFL Network reporter took an errant football to the face ... during a live shot.

Ian Rapoport was workin' the sidelines at Reliant Stadium in Houston before the game last night, when a football got loose and smacked Ian right in the kisser ... hard.

Gotta hand it to Rapoport ... 'cause he kept his composure and actually laughed at the situation.