Texans (5-3) at Broncos (3-5)
Sunday, 4:05 p.m. ET, Broncos Stadium at Mile High, Denver TV: CBS
Danny Sheridan’s line: by 2
Texans’ keys to victory: Houston needs to shut down Denver’s rushing attack. The Broncos offense has been inefficient through the air, but RBs Royce Freeman and Phillip Lindsay have combined for 918 yards on the ground. If the Texans slow down Denver’s run game and put the game in QB Case Keenum’s hands, Houston shouldn’t have any problems shutting down the Broncos. Keenum has the same number of interceptions (10) as touchdown passes.
Broncos’ keys to victory: Keeping QB Deshaun Watson in the pocket will be imperative for the defense. Watson’s overall numbers are down from his electrifying rookie season, but he’s still dangerous on the run. The Broncos have two talented cornerbacks in Chris Harris and Bradley Roby, but Denver’s secondary has allowed big plays when opposing quarterbacks have extended plays this season. Watson is still a threat to make big plays from the pocket, but the secondary will have an easier task if he’s bottled up.
Matchup to watch: Texans QB Deshaun Watson vs. Broncos OLB Von Miller. Miller has eight sacks this season and Watson has been sacked 26 times, the most among AFC quarterbacks. On paper, this looks like a dream scenario for Miller, but he has struggled to bring down mobile quarterbacks in the past.
Who wins? The Broncos are hard to beat in Denver, but Houston knows Keenum’s limitations (the veteran played under Texans coach Bill O’Brien in 2014). In a defensive struggle, the Broncos offense will come up short.
Texans, 20-17 Broncos TEXANS SCHEDULE
L... at New England... 27-20 L ..... at Tennessee ..... 20-17 L .. New York Giants ..27-22 W ... at Indianapolis ...37-34 W ...... Dallas ...... 19-16 (OT) W .......... Buffalo .......... 20-13 W .... at Jacksonville .... 20-7 W ........... Miami ........... 42-23 Nov. 4 ..... at Denver ..... 4:05 Nov. 11 .............. BYE .............. Nov. 18 ..at Washington .. 1 Nov. 26... Tennessee ...8:15 Dec. 2 ........ Cleveland ........ 1 Dec. 9 ...... Indianapolis ...... 1 Dec. 15... at N.Y. Jets ...TBD Dec. 23 .. at Philadelphia .. 1 Dec. 30 .... Jacksonville ..... 1
W .......... Seattle .......... 27-24 W ......... Oakland ......... 20-19 L ...... at Baltimore ...... 27-14 L ....... Kansas City ....... 27-23 L ........ at N.Y. Jets ........ 34-16 L ........ L.A. Rams ........ 23-20 W ....... at Arizona ....... 45-10 L .... at Kansas City .... 30-23 Nov. 4 ...... Houston ...... 4:05 Nov. 11 .............. Bye ............. Nov. 18 ..at Chargers ..4:05 Nov. 25 ...Pittsburgh ...4:25 Dec. 2 ..... at Cincinnati ..... 1 Dec. 9 ...at San Fran . ... 4:05 Dec.15 ...Cleveland ...TBD Dec. 24 ...at Oakland ...8:15 Dec. 30 L.A. Chargers 4:25