Texans’ Defense Denies Broncos of a Comeback on Sunday Afternoon
If you were to ask someone during Week One of this season if they wanted to watch this game, the answer would have probably been no. However, if you asked them that same question now, the answer would most likely be yes. The reason why your opinion would have changed in regards to watching this game now versus earlier this season would all be circling around the fact that both of these teams have been playing incredible football as of late. The Broncos, while they may have lost this game, are coming off a five-game win streak and have now managed to get themselves in the playoff hunt. The Texans, led by quarterback C.J. Stroud, also had a mediocre start to this season, but have now won four of their last five games. While neither of these teams would go to the postseason if the playoffs happened right this minute, the Texans are currently the eighth seed in the AFC and the Broncos are currently the ninth, so it is very possible we could see either one or both of these teams snag a Wild Card spot. Let’s take a look at how Houston got this win.
The Houston Texans were the first team to put any points on the board in this game as on their second drive kicker Matt Ammendola knocked down a 29-yard field goal to give the Texans a 3-0 lead early. They would score once again on their next drive as running back Dameon Pierce ran into the end zone for a three-yard touchdown to make the score of the game 10-0. The Texans' scoring would continue once again early in the second quarter as Ammendola knocked down another field goal, this one from 38 yards out, to put Houston up 13-0. Denver would finally get their first points of the game nearly a minute and a half before halftime as their offense set up a 34-yard field goal attempt for kicker Wil Lutz. Lutz would knock it down to make the score of the game 13-3 and help the Broncos trail by ten as both teams headed into the locker room.
Houston would once again be the first to score in the second half as Ammendola knocked down a 38-yard field goal at the end of their first drive of the locker room to give them a 16-3 lead. The Broncos would finally get their first touchdown of the game later in the third quarter as quarterback Russell Wilson connected with wide receiver Courtland Sutton with a deep pass that Sutton caught for a 45-yard touchdown to make the score of the game 16-10. Unfortunately for Broncos fans, their next drive would not go as smoothly as this one as Wilson threw an interception, a pass intended for wide receiver Jerry Jeudy, into the hands of Texans’ cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. Houston’s offense would be able to capitalize off of this great play by their defense as quarterback C.J. Stroud connected with wide receiver Nico Collins for a three-yard touchdown.
The Texans would attempt a two-point conversion after this touchdown score and be unsuccessful, so the score of the game would stay 22-10. The Broncos would score a touchdown on their next drive as Wilson ran in the end zone for a one-yard score to bring the score of the game to 22-17, which was the closest this game had been since very early in the matchup. While this play by Wilson would be celebrated the rest of his game would not be as he threw two more interceptions on the Broncos' last two drives. While there was slight hope for the Broncos in the second half, their five-game win streak officially came to an end as Houston defeated them in Texas on Sunday afternoon.
Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud completed sixteen of his twenty-seven passes in the game for a total of 274 yards and one touchdown. Running back Dameon Pierce had fifteen carries for 41 yards and one touchdown. Wide receiver Nico Collins had an outstanding game, having nine receptions for 191 yards and one touchdown. Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson missed eleven pass attempts in the game going fifteen for twenty-six with 186 yards, one touchdown, and three interceptions. Running back Javonte Williams had thirteen carries for forty-six yards, however, Russell Wilson scored Denver’s only rushing touchdown in the game. Wide receiver Courtland Sutton had the Broncos’ only receiving touchdown in the game, finishing with two receptions for 77 yards. Next week during Week Fourteen the Texans will look to extend their win streak from one game to two as they head to New York to take on the Jets. The Broncos will hope to rebound from this loss and start a new win streak as they head to Los Angeles to take on their divisional rival Chargers.
