Broncos (4-8) at Texans (8-4)
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, NRG Stadium, Houston
TV: CBS
Danny Sheridan’s line: Texans by 8
Broncos’ keys to victory: OLB Von Miller and DE Derek Wolfe must generate a pass rush against Houston’s offensive line, which is still trying to find its best five starters after recent injuries. DE Shelby Harris must penetrate the interior of the Texans’ line to disrupt the run game. Another way Denver can neutralize the Texans’ dynamic offense and minimize their inexperience at quarterback (Drew Lock or Brandon Allen) is with its own run game, featuring RBs Phillip Lindsay and Royce Freeman.
Texans’ keys to victory: Houston has a potent passing offense led by QB Deshaun Watson, and Denver’s identity is to harass the passer. Watson will need to feel the pressure and react accordingly when it arrives. RB Carlos Hyde needs to get going on the ground to provide a diverse offensive attack that will prevent the Broncos from simply focusing on Watson. Given Denver’s inexperience at quarterback, the Texans’ secondary should be prepared to take advantage of errant or ill-advised throws.
Matchup to watch: Broncos WR Courtland Sutton vs. Texans CB Bradley Roby. Roby was Denver’s 2014 first-round draft pick and also was Sutton’s teammate for a season. Sutton is Denver’s leading receiver by a wide margin, and getting him involved early could provide a playmaking threat.
Who wins? The Texans need as many conference wins as possible to help their wild-card positioning if they fail to win the division. Denver’s instability at quarterback plays right into Houston’s hands, and Watson is superior to whoever the Broncos start.
Texans, 27-16
Broncos schedule
L ...... atOakland ...... 24-16 L ......... Chicago ......... 16-14 L .... at Green Bay .... 27-16 L ..... Jacksonville ..... 26-24 W . at L.A. Chargers . 20-13 W ....... Tennessee ....... 16-0 L ....... Kansas City ....... 30-6 L ... at Indianapolis ... 15-13 W ...... Cleveland ...... 24-19
BYE
L .... atMinnesota .... 27-23 L ......... at Buffalo ......... 20-3 W ... L.A. Chargers ... 23-20 Dec. 8 ...... at Houston ...... 1 Dec. 15 .. at Kansas City .. 1 Dec. 22 ..... Detroit ..... 4:05 Dec. 29 .... Oakland .... 4:25
Texans schedule
L .... at New Orleans .... 30-28 W ...... Jacksonville ...... 13-12 W...atLAChargers...27-20 L .......... Carolina .......... 16-10 W ........... Atlanta ........... 53-32 W .... at Kansas City .... 31-24 L .... atIndianapolis .... 30-23 W ......... Oakland ......... 27-24 W at Jacksonville (Lon.) 26-3
BYE
L ........ at Baltimore ........ 41-7 W ...... Indianapolis ...... 20-17 W ..... New England ..... 28-22 Dec. 8 ............ Denver ............ 1 Dec. 15 ..... at Tennessee ..... 1 Dec. 21 .... at Tampa Bay .... 1 Dec. 29 ....... Tennessee ....... 1