Denver harasses Osweiler, Texans
DENVER — The Denver Broncos ruined Brock Osweiler’s homecoming Monday night at Sports Authority Field at Mile High, incessantly hurrying, hitting and harassing their former teammate in a 27-9 victory against his Houston Texans.
Coach Gary Kubiak returned to the sideline after his second health scare in three years, and he had to like what he saw as the Broncos (5-2) snapped a twogame skid in sending the overwhelmed Texans home at 4-3.
C.J. Anderson and Devontae Booker energized Denver’s sputtering ground game, each running for a touchdown. Anderson gained 107 yards on 16 carries and Booker had 83 on 17.
But the big story was Trevor Siemian, Peyton Manning’s surprise successor, outplaying Osweiler, who was groomed to be Denver’s next quarterback but instead bolted to Houston in free agency.
Osweiler left for bigger numbers in Texas — both in his bank account and his stat sheet — but he spent this game quickly getting rid of the ball, constantly overthrowing DeAndre Hopkins in double coverage and otherwise running for his life from Von Miller & Co.
Although he avoided sacks, Osweiler was just 22 for 41 for 131 yards with no touchdowns and no interceptions. Siemian was 14 of 25 for 157 yards, 1 touchdown and 0 interceptions.
Osweiler’s fumble at his 25 was scooped up by Chris Harris Jr. on the first play of the fourth quarter. That led to Brandon McManus’ chipshot field goal that made it 24-9 and snuffed out Houston’s hopes of a comeback.
Anderson scored on a 7yard run and Siemian hit Demaryius Thomas from 4 yards as the Broncos took a 14-6 halftime lead.
Osweiler took a couple of big shots from safeties Darian Stewart and T.J. Ward in the first quarter but the Texans led, 6-0 on two field goals.