In a matchup between two defensive juggernauts, the Denver Broncos and their top-ranked pass rush (36 sacks) will hit the road this weekend to take on the Houston Texans, who enter Week Eight with the league's best scoring defense (14.7 points per game allowed).
The Broncos come into this one riding a five-game win streak after starting the season 1-2. Their defense has played a huge role during this stretch, allowing just 17.4 points per game. They just recently held the league's second-best scoring offense to just 24 points.
"I think, defensively - I said this - that was a big test based on the skill and the different weapons Dallas has. I think we did enough to make the quarterback feel a little uncomfortable in the pocket,” said head coach Sean Payton while speaking to the media on October 27th. “There's two ways you disrupt a passing game. It's either at the line of scrimmage with the receivers in the coverage you're playing, or with the pass rush. I thought we did a really good job of mixing up looks. I thought Vance (Joseph) and his staff did a really good job of giving (Dak Prescott) a certain look one play and then another look the next play, and that made a big difference, I think, in their efficiency.”
In what was arguably their best win of the season against the Dallas Cowboys, second-year quarterback Bo Nix was fantastic with 247 passing yards and four touchdowns through the air. During Denver's five-game win streak, he has scored 13 total touchdowns and only thrown two interceptions.
“We’ve got a lot of potential. We played really well,” Bo Nix said during an October 26th post-game press conference. “Just all cylinders: run game, pass game, third downs, base downs. We played well in the red zone [and] scored points… Our defense played well. [It] got us the ball back a lot. Just overall [it was a] really good performance by us.”
Week Nine will arguably be the Broncos' toughest test of the season offensively. Denver tight end Adam Trautman isn't worried, though, because he knows the Broncos will come up with a great scheme for that game and the league's top-ranked scoring defense.
"We just believe in the game plan and execute the plays that are called. It's that simple, to be honest," Trautman said during an October 27th interview. "I think we always have a good plan going into the game. We just have to sustain drives... But it's going to be a huge challenge. This defense is unbelievable."
The Houston Texans have not had the same success the Broncos have had in terms of record, but they had an incredibly impressive bounce-back win at home against the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday. Quarterback C.J. Stroud threw for two touchdowns and a season-high 318 passing yards in that contest.
“I thought C.J. made great decisions with the football. When it wasn't there, checking the ball down to the backs,” head coach DeMeco Ryans said after the win. “When it wasn’t there, C.J. made great decisions of stepping up in the pocket, taking what was given, [and] taking what was there for him. [I’m] proud of the way C.J. played.”
One area that the Texans must improve on is red zone efficiency. Even though they won on Sunday, they were one for five in the red zone, which isn't going to cut it against Denver's elite defense.
“We got down in the red zone a few times, and we kind of stalled out,” Ryans said while speaking to members of the media on Monday. “We can do a better job of just keeping our foot on the gas and being more productive. [We did] a great job of getting in the red zone and (Ka’imi Fairbairn) did a great job of really finishing those drives with points, but we want to finish those drives with seven if possible.”
This will not be an easy game for the Texans, who are currently 3-4 on the campaign. But C.J. Stroud knows what Houston must do in order to come out hot against the Broncos.
“I think practicing, that's key,” Stroud said after Sunday’s win. “[You’ve] got to practice great, and I think we've been doing that for the last couple of weeks. Then, taking it from the practice and putting it on the field, just execution… It starts with your preparation, film, being on the same page with the coordinators, and with your position coaches… That'll be key for this next game against a good Denver defense.”
Prediction for Denver Broncos @ Houston Texans (-1.5)
Houston might've been able to keep C.J. Stroud upright, but that was against a depleted 49ers pass rush that is missing several key contributors. Unfortunately for H-Town, the Broncos lead the league in sacks and will probably make life miserable for Stroud this weekend. If Denver can score at least 20 points in this game, then they should win.
Prediction: Broncos 22 - 17 Texans
How to watch Denver Broncos @ Houston Texans (-1.5)
Broncos @ Texans starts at 1:00 p.m. EDT at NRG Stadium. You can watch it on Fox or stream it via the Fox Sports app or YouTube TV.
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