Quarterback Brock Osweiler returns to Denver when his Houston Texans meet the Denver Broncos at the Sports Authority Field, Denver Colorado on Tuesday morning. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 11:30am (AEDT).
The 4-2 Broncos host the 4-2 Texans in an intriguing clash that will have both teams looking to consolidate their positions in their respective divisions in the AFC.
This key matchup will be the Osweiler-led Texan offence against the Broncos who boast the defence in the AFC. It will be a tough road trip for the Texans as they confront a Broncos team stung by a two-game losing streak.
This could be a low-scoring affair as neither the Broncos or Texans have an impressive passing offence and are ranked No.1 and No.2 respectively for pass defence.
There could be a disparity on the ground as the tenth-ranked Texan run game comes up against the 26th ranked Broncos run defence.
The Broncos looked every bit the Super Bowl champions as they motored through the early part of the season with a 4-0 record. Quarterback Trevor Siemian surprised observers at how calm and composed he was leading the offence.
The defence, well they just did what the Broncos defence has done these past few seasons – routinely crush opposition offense. However, consecutive losses has exposed some fragilities and it will need to be rectified if they’re going to overcome the Texans and challenge in the post-season.
Put simply the Broncos’ run game has all but disappeared this past couple of weeks, dropping from 4.7 yards per carry earlier in the season to just 3.3 yards the past couple of weeks, and they have only scored once on their past 95 rushes.
Some key injuries have disrupted the Broncos offensive line as well, none more important than left tackle Russell Okung as he continues through post-concussion protocol. Wide receiver Cody Latimer and outside linebacker DeMarcus Ware also remain key outs and have not even returned to practice.
The Texans will be hoping their offensive line can step up and provide some support to Osweiler, something they have failed to do all season. Osweiler has been hit 43 times this season, second only to Andrew Luck from the Indianapolis Colts. Worryingly for the Texans and more importantly for Osweiler is the fact the Broncos lead the league for Quarterback hits with 57.
Running back Lamar Miller will look to continue his rich vein of form on the back of a season high last week where he rushed for 149 yards and a touchdown. Miller is now third in the AFC for rushing yards with 520 and gave Texan fans something to smile about the previous week as he stepped and became the offensive focal point.
No question the Texans have injury concerns, none bigger than the season-long absence of defensive beast JJ Watt. On top of regular starters Nick Martin and Kevin Johnson likely lost for the season, the Texans have done well to be 4-2.
In a rare bit of positive news on the injury front, reports out of Denver have rookie wide receiver Will Fuller a possible starter after failing to take the field the previous week.
Will Osweiler handle the pressure and lead the Texans to victory and have Bronco fans lamenting his loss? Or will the Bronco defence with the luxury of knowing Osweiler’s game inside and out, look to exploit that knowledge and have Bronco fans saying good riddance?
Prediction
At home, the Broncos defence should be too suffocating for Osweiler and the Texans, Broncos should triumph in a close one.
Join The Roar Tuesday morning at 11:30am (AEDT) for live scores, updates and debate in our blog.
Trelawney McGregor
Roar Guru
That game is in the book and its Denver winning 27 - 9. It was not a happy night for the Brock Osweiler on this return to Denver. The Broncos have their season back on track and Houston's woes on the road continue, thank you and good day.
Trelawney McGregor
Roar Guru
Osweiler incomplete pass and its 4th and 4 with 9 seconds remaining.
Trelawney McGregor
Roar Guru
3rd & 4, Broncos 24 – Texans 9, 0:15 remaining in the 4th Quarter
Trelawney McGregor
Roar Guru
Broncos 27 – Texans 9, 0:42 remaining in the 4th Quarter
Trelawney McGregor
Roar Guru
Ostweiler passes for a 1st down, just and theres 52 remaining.
Trelawney McGregor
Roar Guru
Osweiler's pass is battered down again and its 3rd & 10.
Trelawney McGregor
Roar Guru
Screen pass for Miller and theres no gain.
Trelawney McGregor
Roar Guru
Denver kick-off and there is no opportunity for Houston to return the football and they will start on their 25 yard line.
Trelawney McGregor
Roar Guru
Field Goal Denver, Broncos 27 – Texans 9, 1:57 remaining in the 4th Quarter.
Trelawney McGregor
Roar Guru
This is awful. Texans RT Derek Newton has torn both patella tendons, as bad as can be for the Texans.
Trelawney McGregor
Roar Guru
Rough return for Brock Osweiler 18/34 107 yards passing 0 touchdowns 59.3 quarterback rating
Trelawney McGregor
Roar Guru
2 minute warning, Broncos 24 – Texans 9.
Trelawney McGregor
Roar Guru
Houston time-out, Broncos 24 – Texans 9, 2:24 remaining in the 4th Quarter.
Trelawney McGregor
Roar Guru
Denver with another couple of rushes for a short gain. Anderson has rushed for 107 yards with 16 carries here tonight.
Trelawney McGregor
Roar Guru
Time-out Houston, Broncos 24 – Texans 9, 3:15 remaining in the 4th Quarter
Trelawney McGregor
Roar Guru
Anderson blasts ahead for another 1st down and things are looking grim for the Texans.
Trelawney McGregor
Roar Guru
Denver running the ball here and killing the clock, Anderson makes a short gain and its 3rd & 4.
Trelawney McGregor
Roar Guru
Broncos 24 – Texans 9, 4:30 remaining in the 4th Quarter
Trelawney McGregor
Roar Guru
Here comes the blitz and Oswieler's pass is battered down by Wolfe and its a turnover on downs, hard to see the Broncos dropped this one now.
Trelawney McGregor
Roar Guru
The Texans call a timeout with 4:43 to god and they were thinking about going for it.